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Uranium was all the thing in the 1950s. What with atom bombs
tested in the atmosphere, uranium mines promising untold
riches and science-fiction pictures about giant spiders and
ants accidentally created by radioactivity, uranium was
really in its element. Contemplating it now can give one a
nostalgic, uh, glow.
The surprising thing is that even way back then uranium was
nothing new. It was discovered in 1789 by Martin Klaproth, a
German chemist, who named it after the planet Uranus (how do
YOU pronounce that word?). Sir William Herschel discovered
and named Uranus a few years previously.
In fact, 150 years ago people were already practicing
radioactive medicine, treating everything from birthmarks to
ringworm with uranium. No wonder they're all dead!
Source: THE SECRET LIVES OF WORDS by Paul West
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