Cadmium is a metal element that has an atomic number of 48, an atomic weight of 112.41, and is denoted by the atomic symbol Cd. It has a silvery-white luster with a bluish cast. It can be cut with a knife, making it one of the softest of the elements. Chemically, it behaves very much like zinc, the element above it in the periodic table. The element is obtained as a by-product of the preparation of zinc, copper, and lead from their ores.

Cadmium was discovered in 1817 by Dr. Friedrich Stromeyer (or Strohmeyer). Stromeyer was born in Göttingen, Germany, on August 2, 1776. He studied botany, chemistry, medicine, and pharmacy at the University of Göttingen before moving to Paris, France, where he became a pupil of the famous chemist Louis Vauquelin. Stromeyer developed a special interest in mineralogy while studying under Vauquelin.

In 1802, Stromeyer became an instructor at...