The Mystery of Matter: Search for the Elements

This three-part series is about the search for elements from early alchemists to atomic science in the 20th century to today. But behind this search are the historical scientists who made the discoveries, and how they made them. The films profile scientists Joseph Priestley, Antoine Lavoisier, Humphry Davy, Ernest Rutherford, Dmitri Mendeleev, Marie Curie, and Glenn Seaborg. The stories of discovery show how the personalities of the scientists influence how they made the discoveries. The words of the actors playing the characters are generally taken from their writings.

It's a series of well-rounded vignettes, invoking the historical period the discoveries were made. In the process, we're taught the story of the discovery of all elements, and some fundamental chemistry. I love the combination of science and history. Michael Emerson's narration, presentations and on-screen experiments are engaging, and the contributions of scientists and historians help tell the stories. It would be great to see more of these kinds of films about the history of science in other disciplines.