Timeline
SiO2 has been around since the earth was formed, in the form of Silica sand. The earliest forms of life would make their skeletons from silicon dioxide, and prehistoric plants used it as support structures. Later the ancient Romans used SiO2 in the form of sand to strengthen concrete and the quartz crystals in jewelry. Around the same time Hindu Monks would use silica sand as to draw patterns as part of a religious ritual. The tradition however still continues today. The Venetians of italy perfected the art of glass blowing and used Silica in glass making.
Discovery
Jons Berzelius (1779-1848) "discovered" SiO2 in 1824. He was a Swedish chemist who was instructed by Dalton. He was well known for developing the concepts of the ion and ionic compounds. He strove to make accurate and precise quantitative measurements and ensure the purity of chemicals. He determined the exact elementary constituents of many compounds and in 1826 he published a table of atomic weights which is very close to the one we have today. in 1811 he introduced the classical system of chemical symbols where elements are abbreviated by one or two letters from it's latin name. Berzelius among others is known as the father of chemistry.
SiO2 has been around since the earth was formed, in the form of Silica sand. The earliest forms of life would make their skeletons from silicon dioxide, and prehistoric plants used it as support structures. Later the ancient Romans used SiO2 in the form of sand to strengthen concrete and the quartz crystals in jewelry. Around the same time Hindu Monks would use silica sand as to draw patterns as part of a religious ritual. The tradition however still continues today. The Venetians of italy perfected the art of glass blowing and used Silica in glass making.
Discovery
Jons Berzelius (1779-1848) "discovered" SiO2 in 1824. He was a Swedish chemist who was instructed by Dalton. He was well known for developing the concepts of the ion and ionic compounds. He strove to make accurate and precise quantitative measurements and ensure the purity of chemicals. He determined the exact elementary constituents of many compounds and in 1826 he published a table of atomic weights which is very close to the one we have today. in 1811 he introduced the classical system of chemical symbols where elements are abbreviated by one or two letters from it's latin name. Berzelius among others is known as the father of chemistry.