Molybdenum — The metal that talks

DISCOVERED BY SCHEELE in 1778 in the form of an oxid, molybdenum was first separated as a metal by Hjelm in 1782. Now it is produced commercially by hydrogen reduction of the oxid, pure oxid being obtained from ammonium molybdate. The resulting metallic powder is sintered, forged, and rolled into desired shapes. When pure, molybdenum is soft, white, and ductile.