Image: Halliburton. Downhole camera technology puts eyes underground, enhancing a company's understanding of what is going on within the furthest depths of production and helping operators make important decisions that benefit from the all too valuable sense of sight.
Barium was discovered by Sir Humphrey Davy at 1808 in England. Origin of name: from the Greek word barys meaning heavy Baryta (barium oxide, BaO) was distinguished from lime (calcium oxide, CaO) by Scheele in 1774.
Barium was first discovered in barite, also known as barium sulfate. This mineral attracted attention in the 17 th century, when it was found to radiate red light after heating. Image from Missouri Dept. of Natural Resources.