András Müllner (H)
György Galántai – the 80th element
Quicksilver is the 80th element in Mendeleev’s periodic table. Its sign is “Hg”, from the Greek word hydrargyros. This montage word was combined from two Greek words hydra (water) and argyros (silver). Quicksilver is liquid like water and sparkles like silver. The Hungarian word higany was coined in the 19th century by Avant-garde neologists, intellectual goldsmiths, who combined híg (runny) and arany (gold). Quicksilver’s international name is mercury, from the Roman god Mercury. Mercury, like his predecessor, the Greek deity Hermes, is the herald of the gods, whose most important attribute is his speed. He has wings on his ankles and helmet, and many competed to call him their god: borders, roads, travellers, athletes, shepherds and merchants. All in all, the 80th element got its name from Mercury, who was the first mail/correspondence artist.
● Book Presentation ● Dr András Müllner ●