The power of this delicious narrative does not come solely from his extensive knowledge of the five elements and his ability to connect them to human civilization.
The rigidity of natural science and the banality of general historical discourse are not visible, and literary sensibility has been added to the expertise of knowledge to the point where one feels as if one is appreciating a literary epic.
Moreover, the way he talks to readers is refreshing.
The same goes for expressions like, “Even you who read this book will laugh at me” before an obvious development, or paradoxically scolding the European conquerors who massacred American Indians as “these sophisticated colonial rulers.”
There are knee-slapping, laugh-out-loud narratives scattered throughout.

---「Recommendation 1.
From “The Memory of the Elements, Recorded as a Literary Epic”

Despite hundreds of years of effort, not a speck of gold was visible.
However, in the course of their alchemy studies, the Arabs invented many new experimental tools, such as the distillation flask for distilling liquids and the swan-necked flask with a long, thin S-shaped neck.
(Omitted) Above all, alchemy had a great influence on the philosophical system.
In the process of developing alchemy, a new ideology called positivism emerged, which was completely different from classical Greek philosophy.
To prove whether a study is right or wrong, it must be quantified.
Alchemy emphasized the precise weighing and gathering of gases, and its influence planted the seeds of modern science.
Now the Arabs were on the verge of entering the realm of science through alchemy.

---「3.
From “Lured by Gold, Opening the Door to Modernity”

With the advent of bronze, productivity increased significantly, and at the same time, the demand for craftsmen who could make bronze increased, leading to a social division of labor.
Looking at the “Gonggi” (Gonggi), we can see how specifically the Bronze Age Chinese society classified artisans.
There is a record that the craftsman who makes cart wheels is called 'Yunin', the craftsman who makes cart compartments is called 'Yeoin', and the craftsman who makes the long poles that are attached to both sides of the cart is called 'Jooin'.
The metallurgical professions were further classified.
Since the Shang and Zhou Dynasties, craftsmen engaged in bronzeware production have been classified into at least six categories.

---「6.
From “The meeting of tin and copper changes the landscape of war”

Silicon and oxygen have the ability to hold almost every element, making them a natural team for any mineral on Earth. However, no matter how they are combined, their basic tetrahedral structure remains unchanged, so most rocks made of silicates are very hard and have high melting points.
Additionally, because of its dense structure, it does not corrode or dissolve unless it comes into contact with extremely alkaline water, so it can last a long time.
It is precisely because of these characteristics of silicate rocks that we can still admire rock art created by ancient people today.

---「9.
From "Why did human art begin with rocks?"

It was not Hayek who saved the Swiss watch industry, but the crystal watch technology they had abandoned.
Crystal resonance technology is becoming increasingly popular as time goes by, becoming essential for powering the timekeeping functions of smartphones, GPS systems, and remote control systems that most modern people own.
Even at the very moment when humanity entered the information age, silicon once again extended a helping hand, recording every minute and second like a timer, ensuring the accuracy of our information, allowing us to remember the past with greater detail and accuracy.
---「12.
From the small machine on your wrist to the backbone of the AI ​​industry

Today, natural fibers are still used to make clothing, but they are losing ground compared to the rapidly developing synthetic fibers.
This is because the land necessary for natural fiber production is insufficient and performance is limited.
Synthetic fibers can be made to have a variety of properties, including warmth, coolness, a comfortable fit, breathability, and softness, by changing their molecular structure.
Military equipment such as bulletproof vests can now be made of a special fiber called polyethylene, which boasts a strong structure due to its extremely high molecular weight, rather than being made of metal like chainmail of the past.
Ultimately, whether we like it or not, we are already surrounded by synthetic organic materials, and clothes are just one of them.
---「13.
From "Humanity cannot return to the pre-chemical fiber era"

Ultimately, any city would be in trouble if the fundamental problem was not addressed.
From this time on, the relationship between air pollution and humanity emerged as an important agenda that attracted the attention of both politicians and scientists.
In 1989, the World Health Organization defined 'total volatile organic compounds' as organic compounds with a melting point below room temperature and a boiling point between 50 and 260 degrees Celsius.
The reason why the scope of hazardous organic substances has been specifically defined in this way is because, if not strongly managed and controlled, there is a possibility that the foundation of our lives will be destroyed by substances that threaten human health.
---「15.
From “The Great Transformation Brought About by the Carbon Tragedy”

The designers of the Witu-2 made the filter mesh out of a shape-memory alloy made of titanium and molybdenum.
The shape memory effect refers to the phenomenon in which a metal, even if deformed, returns to its original shape when the external force is removed.
Thanks to these characteristics, the filter net of the Witu 2 was able to maintain its round shape permanently.
This resulted in the creation of the Witu No. 2 wheel, which was 300 millimeters in diameter and 150 millimeters wide.
Although it is made of a very complex material, its total mass is only 735 grams, which is about the weight of an ordinary book, and thus titanium has earned the honorable title of the metal of the universe.

---「17.
From "Titanium Becomes Human Wings"

In 1958, Boeing successfully built a titanium alloy airplane using 81.6 kilograms of titanium alloy for the entire fuselage of the Boeing 707.
Titanium alloys are not only lightweight but also resistant to metal fatigue in high-temperature environments, making them a far more suitable aircraft fuselage material than steel and aluminum.
As aerospace engineers developed titanium alloy processing techniques, more and more titanium alloy parts began to be used in airplanes.
The fact that the Comet, the first jet airliner, crashed three times and yet people's patience for jets remained unshaken is all thanks to the titanium alloy.

---「17.
From "Titanium Becomes Human Wings"

Although all elements from the 1st to 7th periods have been filled, it seems that scientists' efforts to create new artificial elements will not stop here.
There are two reasons for this.
First, to explore a ‘small universe’ from Earth, transcending time and space.
The process of creating artificial elements has many similarities to the movement of celestial bodies in space.
Second, to discover new artificial elements with high commercial value, such as technetium, which is widely used in medicine and nuclear energy.

---「25.
From the 4th movement, "Completion of the 118 Elemental Names"