History of Platinum

A History of Platinum and its Allied Metals

Although the modern history of platinum only begins in the 18th century, platinum has been found in objects dating from 700 BC. For the Spanish Conquistadors of the 16th century, platinum was a nuisance, found mixed with nuggets of gold and difficult to separate. In the 18th century platinum was a tough challenge to European scientists trying to understand and use the metal. Their difficulties came from the very properties which make platinum suitable for so many applications, such as its high melting point and its great resistance to corrosion.

In 1782, Lavoisier achieved the first true melting of platinum using oxygen; however it was another 25 years before commercial quantities of platinum could be produced by this method. During 1802, Wollaston and Tennant developed the refining of platinum. By 1804, palladium, rhodium, iridium and osmium had all been discovered. Meanwhile Wollaston perfected a method of producing malleable platinum.  Ruthenium was discovered in 1844.

After the founding of Johnson and Matthey in 1851, the techniques of separation and refining of platinum group metals and the melting and casting of pure and homogeneous ingots were perfected.

Platinum mine production has grown continuously since the Second World War in response to the development of new applications in areas such as the petroleum industry; jewellery; autocatalysts for air pollution control; fuel cells; medical treatments and physical investment products.

Full History

“A History of Platinum and its Allied Metals” by Donald McDonald & Leslie B. Hunt

ISBN: 0-905118-83-9

© 1982 Johnson Matthey Plc

This book describes the history of platinum and its associated metals, covering important discoveries and scientific work on the platinum group metals up to the early twentieth century. With twenty-four chapters, 450 pages, over 600 references and 235 illustrations (20 in colour) including 100 portraits, The History of Platinum and its Allied Metals is the definitive description of how science was able to progress by means of the unique properties of these metals.

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