Magnesium was first discovered by the British Chemist known as Sir Humphry Davy in 1808. Before this chemist could only produce or obtain magnesium oxide. Sir Humphry Davy was the first to isolate this element from the magnesium compound element. He did this by way of electrolysis. Electrolysis is the passage of an electric current through an electrolyte with subsequent migration of positively and negatively charged ions to the negative and positive electrodes. Davy also founded other elements including, sodium and potassium. Nevertheless Sir Humphry’s greatest achievements had to be his understanding of electrochemistry and the invention of a safety light for miners. Davy is best remembered for his contributions to the understanding of electrochemistry and for his invention of a safety lamp for miners. However the credit for discovering magnesium was given to Antoine Bussy. Although Sir Humphry Davy isolated magnesium it was only a small quantity. Antoine Bussy was given credit because he isolated a larger and purer quantity. Antoine Bussy used the fusion of magnesium chloride and potassium metallic vapor to obtain the metallic form of magnesium. Other accomplishments include naming the compound acetone and he also became the first to isolate the element beryllium.
Then in 1833 magnesium was formed into liquid by chemist Michael Faraday. He electrolyzed dehydrated liquid magnesium chloride which in turn separated the chlorine gas and liquid magnesium. Michael Faraday led the way in electrotechnology, with his inventions helping create the modern day generator, transformer and electric motor engine. The commercial construction of magnesium began in 1852 with Robert Bunsen. He built a small lab in which he used electrolysis of the fused chloride. Bunsen, at the age of 19, invented the hygrometer while attending Goettingen University. In 1841 Robert Bunsen had the biggest electromotive force of all known chemical electricity sources at the current era. When he...