In 1857, British explorers Richard Burton and John Hanning Speke led an expedition from Zanzibar to find the source of the Nile River. Despite personal differences, they became the first Europeans to reach Lake Tanganyika in 1858. During the return journey, Speke left Burton and discovered Lake Victoria, which he identified as the Nile's source.

Speke's claim was met with skepticism from Burton. In 1860, Speke and James Grant mapped part of Lake Victoria and found the Nile's exit, the Ripon Falls. On the eve of a public debate with Burton, Speke died in a hunting accident in 1864. Speke's discoveries were later confirmed, and he is credited as the first European to reach Lake Victoria and identify it as the Nile's source.

In 1857, British explorers Richard Burton and John Hanning Speke led an expedition from Zanzibar to find the source of the Nile River. Despite personal differences, they became the first Europeans to reach Lake Tanganyika in 1858. During the return journey, Speke left Burton and discovered Lake Victoria, which he identified as the Nile's source.

Speke's claim was met with skepticism from Burton. In 1860, Speke and James Grant mapped part of Lake Victoria and found the Nile's exit, the Ripon Falls. On the eve of a public debate with Burton, Speke died in a hunting accident in 1864. Speke's discoveries were later confirmed, and he is credited as the first European to reach Lake Victoria and identify it as the Nile's source.

In 1857, British explorers Richard Burton and John Hanning Speke led an expedition from Zanzibar to find the source of the Nile River. Despite personal differences, they became the first Europeans to reach Lake Tanganyika in 1858. During the return journey, Speke left Burton and discovered Lake Victoria, which he identified as the Nile's source.

Speke's claim was met with skepticism from Burton. In 1860, Speke and James Grant mapped part of Lake Victoria and found the Nile's exit, the Ripon Falls. On the eve of a public debate with Burton, Speke died in a hunting accident in 1864. Speke's discoveries were later confirmed, and he is credited as the first European to reach Lake Victoria and identify it as the Nile's source.

Black Bart, also known as Bartholomew Roberts, was a Welsh pirate who operated during the early 18th century. Born around 1682 in Pembrokeshire, Wales, Roberts began his life at sea as a merchant seaman but later turned to piracy. He is considered one of the most successful pirates in history, capturing over 400 ships during his career.

Roberts started his pirating career in 1718 when he joined a pirate ship captained by Howell Davis. After Davis was killed in battle, Roberts took command of the ship and renamed it Royal Fortune. He became known for his cunning and strategic approach to piracy, often targeting ships carrying valuable goods and using his fleet to attack vessels on multiple coasts.

Roberts was a charismatic leader who implemented a code of conduct that emphasized democracy and equality among his crew members. He also provided medical insurance and ensured that his crew received a fair share of the plunder. Despite his success, Roberts was eventually killed in battle by a British ship off the coast of Guinea in 1722.

Black Bart's legacy extends beyond his pirating exploits. He is often credited with creating the image of pirates that we know today, including the iconic Jolly Roger flag and the character of a ruthless but charismatic leader

Arsenic compounds have been known since ancient times, with the word "arsenic" originating from the Greek word arsenikon, meaning "yellow orpiment". The element itself was possibly first observed in the 13th century by Albertus Magnus, who noted a metal-like substance when heating the mineral arsenicum.

In the 17th-19th centuries, arsenic was frequently used for murder due to the lack of specific symptoms and the difficulty in detecting it. It became known as the "poison of kings" and the "king of poisons". Arsenic was also used in the Victorian era by women to improve their complexion, leading to accidental poisonings.

Arsenic compounds began to be used in agriculture as insecticides, herbicides and wood preservatives in the late 19th century. In 1900, Paul Ehrlich developed the first effective arsenic-based drug, Salvarsan, to treat syphilis. Arsenic was also used as a war gas called Lewisite during WWII, leading to the development of the antidote British Anti-Lewisite (BAL).

Today, arsenic is still used in some pesticides and wood preservatives, but its use has declined due to toxicity concerns. The element itself is produced by heating arsenopyrite ore in the absence of air. While arsenic has a long history of use, its toxicity has also made it notorious as a deadly poison throughout the centuries.

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