August 2, 1776 - Birth of Friedrich Stromeyer, discoverer of the chemical element cadmium

In 1805 he began working as a professor of chemistry at the University of Göttingen and also served as an inspector of apothecaries. Among his students was Robert Bunsen.

In 1817, while studying zinc carbonate compounds, he discovered the chemical element cadmium. Cadmium occurs as a common impurity in zinc compounds, although it is often found in very small quantities.

Stromeyer was also the first to recommend starch as a reagent for free iodine and studied the chemistry of arsenic and bismuth salts.

In 1819, he was the first scientist to discover the mineral eudialite, which has few uses due to its rarity and properties, although it can be seen in jewellery.

If you want to know more about this scientist, click on the following link: Friedrich Stromeyer