The Episodic Table of Elements

Hello, Listener. Under better circumstances, you would be learning about erbium right about now. Unfortunately, that episode is not quite ready yet. Between my day job and the possibility of a very big move in my near future, I simply haven't had enough time to create a quality episode according to my usual schedule -- and I probably won't be able to for the next couple weeks, either.

However, I didn't want to just fall off the face of the earth. So I hope you'll accept my apologies for the delay in our regularly scheduled programming. Instead, today and for the following two Mondays, I'll post reviews of chemistry books that might interest an element enthusiast like yourself. It's not the same as a new episode, but I hope it counts for something while you wait for me to give erbium the attention it deserves and produce a proper episode.

That episode will be published on Monday, October 5, by hook or by Crooke's tube. In the meantime, thank you for your patience and for being a listener.

Holmium: Equally beloved by theoretical physicists and Jedi Knights.

You spin me right round, baby, right round, like a windmill, baby, right round round round.

For more than one reason, element 65 makes the short list of "most annoying elements."

Like Luke Skywalker, today's tale takes a farmboy to greatness.

If you enjoy The Episodic Table Of Elements, please consider nominating the show for a Podcast Award.

As element collectors, may we all one day be as fortunate as Frank Harold Spedding.

We hear all sorts of incredible stories on this podcast, but today we'll meet the most unbelievable character of all time: A friendly bureaucrat.

We've met mythological light-bearers before, but this one possesses a decidedly nobler spirit.

Decades of complex geopolitical chaos ultimately result in one afternoon's rather embarrassing hospital visit.