Everything Everywhere Daily A History of Lead (Encore)
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Apr 9, 2025 Discover the fascinating journey of lead, a dull grey metal that ancient civilizations prized for its versatility. Explore its historical applications, from cosmetics to plumbing, and how it fueled human development. Delve into the shifting perceptions of lead's safety, highlighting the alarming health risks it poses, especially to children. Unearth the historical connections to lead exposure and its impact on modern society, revealing a legacy that intertwines innovation with caution.
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Metals of Antiquity
- Lead was one of the seven metals known to ancient people.
- The other six were gold, silver, tin, iron, copper, mercury.
Properties of Lead
- Lead is dense, has a low melting point, and doesn't corrode easily.
- It sits at the 82nd position on the periodic table.
Early Lead Use
- The earliest known use of lead dates back 8,500 years to Anatolia.
- Egyptians used lead for cosmetics, pottery glaze, and fishing net weights.