WOMEN IN THEIR ELEMENT

This year we celebrate the 150th anniversary of Mendeleev39s first publication of the Periodic Table of Elements This book offers an original viewpoint on the history of the Periodic Table a collective volume with short illustrated papers on women and their contribution to the building and the understanding of the Periodic Table and of the elements themselvesFew existing texts deal with women39s contributions to the Periodic Table A book on women39s work will help make historical women chemists more visible as well as shed light on the multifaceted character of the work on the chemical elements and their periodic relationships Stories of female input the editors believe will contribute to the understanding of the nature of science of collaboration as opposed to the traditional depiction of the lone geniusWhile the discovery of elements will be a natural part of this collective work the editors aim to go beyond discovery histories Stories of women contributors to the chemistry of the elements will also include understanding the concept of element identifying properties developing analytical methods mapping the radioactive series finding applications of elements and the participation of women as audiences when new elements were presented at lecturesAs for the selection of women the chapters include preperiodic table contributions as well as recent discoveries unknown stories as well as more famous ones The main emphasis will be on work conducted in the late 19th century and early 20th century Furthermore the book includes elements from different groups in the periodic table so as to represent a variety of chemical contextsAs with the discoveries themselves bringing these tales of female scientists to light has taken much teamwork including by contributors Gisela Boeck John Hudson Claire Murray Jessica Wade Mary Mark Ockerbloom Marelene RaynerCanham Geoffrey RaynerCanham Xavier Roque Matt Shindell and Ignacio SuayMatallanaTracing women in the history of chemistry unve