The Disappearing Spoon
by Sam Kean · first published 2010
71% recommend29% neutral
Why HN recommends it
A story-driven history of the periodic table that weaves together element discoveries and the people behind them. Good for readers who want chemistry with narrative, and for those who like to dip into chapters.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
The infectious tales and astounding details in The Disappearing Spoon follow carbon, neon, silicon, and gold as they play out their parts in human history, finance, mythology, war, the arts, poison, and the lives of the (frequently) mad scientists who discovered them. --from publisher description
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"The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements" by Sam Kean
on “Ask HN: General Chemistry Book Recommendations” ↗…he and his team almost perished. 2. Endurance True story of Sir Ernest Shackelton's journey to be the first to reach the south pole. Arguably one of the greatest survival stories of all time. 3. The Disappearing Spoon Story behind the periodic table, the elements, the people who discovered them and the context under which they were discovered. Learn a lot about day to day things you don't put much thought into. 4.…
on “Audible and audiobooks, the fastest growing part of publishing” ↗If you enjoyed this, I highly recommend “The Disappearing Spoon.” The title is a reference to Gallium’s low melting point, and the book has wonderful histories of most of the elements, and the table itself.
on “Histories Hidden in the Periodic Table” ↗There’s a good explanation/discussion on this in “The Disappearing Spoon.” It’s a fun read, on the history of the elements in the periodic table.
on “Would aliens understand lambda calculus? (2018)” ↗I highly recommend this book as well. I am always on the lookout for technical books that have a good mix of history. One of my favorite examples is the "Disappearing Spoon", which is an engaging exploration of chemistry with stories. Biography of the Pixel is right up there with that.
on “A Biography of the Pixel by Alvy Ray Smith” ↗…coffee table compendiums around a vast array of subjects that aren't intended to be read sequentially - I can just pick it up and start a random chapter and enjoy them for short sessions. Examples are The Disappearing Spoon, A Short History of Nearly Everything, The Violinist's Thumb, etc. I'm glad you enjoyed "Pro Git" but that sounds like the kind of thing that I would use as a doctor to place a patient into a medically…
on “What Books do you enjoy in physical form?” ↗The disappearing spoon - Sam Kean
on “Ask HN: What are you reading right now?” ↗There is a chapter about this in "The Disappearing Spoon." It's this one: "Chapter 10. Take two elements, call me in the morning" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Disappearing_Spoon
on “Elixir Sulfanilamide” ↗