He is best remembered for his discoveries of several alkali and alkaline earth metals as well as contribution to the discoveries of the elemental nature of chlorine and iodine. He invented the Davy lamp which allowed miners to enter mines. He was a pioneer in the field of electrolysis using the battery to split up common compounds an thus prepare many new elements. Potassium was discovered in 1807 by Davy from caustic potash. Potassium was the first metal that was isolated by electrolysis. Sodium was first isolated by Davy in the same year by electrolyzing molten sodium hydroxide and he also discovered magnesium, boron and barium.
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Sir Homphry Davy