How Helium Was Discovered

Helium is a very common element in our universe. However, due to its characteristics, it's very rarely found on Earth. This video shows how scientists in the 19th century overcame this obstacle, over the course of decades, and isolated and discovered the rare gas.

[ihswap]

It always amazes me how scientist back in the day made such complex discoveries without the internet, computers or modern technology and instrumentation. It's as if they simply pointed an old telescope into the sky and the ideas would come through on their own.

[grehib]

Yet another interesting video. Keep it up!

[mynamesgus]

this is one of the best channels on youtube thank you so much for the work that you do

[bradmetcalf]

Damn fine work. This channel should have WAY more subscribers.

[Rafaga]

Thanks a lot for this interesting video.

[Yintii]

I just wanted to say i really enjoy your videos and thank you for all your hard work!

[ashritsai]

Superb explanation, I could have never known that the path of discovery was so long, thank you for throwing light on the discovery of Helium, kudos to you man!!!

[jamesraymond]

Excellent documentary. A wonderful example of how science progresses.

[bwhog]

It is a very interesting phenomenon in the history of discovery and invention that is often seems that at least two people are working on the same problem at the same time and seem to both make similar discoveries, therefore validating each other. Or, that two people are working at difference ends of a problem and somehow manage to meet in the middle to change the world. Also this is a perfect illustration of how discovery and learning is always a step-by-step process, rarely ever happening in a glorious burst of enlightenment.

[GannDolph]

crazy we been wasting it on party balloons all this time ...

[johncourtneidge]

As a Doctoral Alumnus of UCL, Ifound the earlier history fascinating. Thank-you!

[carlosdiniz]

I really admire your videos. They educate me and satisfy my curiosity about the development of science. I would really like you to make a video showing how the first scientists were able to determine the mass of some chemical elements. What instruments they used at a time when scientists themselves were forced to invent their own devices and methods. Would this be possible?

[danieldinucci]

Birthday Parties in Space. Thanks for the idea.

[jww]

amazing how these gentleman found a common component in there studies, using primitive insruments, just didnt know what it was till later.
thanks
John

[BruBears]

How did you get the rights to use that music? That's so awesome!

[donsena]

Another example of how western Europe has contributed so much to our understanding of the physical sciences

[hadz]

Interesting. I didn't know that helium was detected spectroscopically on Earth before it was isolated as a gas.

[bazpearce]

Also in the 1860s Angelo Secchi discovered the first carbon star. Another chemical discovery due to astronomy. :)
I initially thought he was involved in helium discovery, but misremembered the details.

[YiOughta]

Helium is often extracted from natural gas in a process called fractional distillation

[BGTuyau]

Interesting story about actually "following the science."