Davy, Humphry

Humphry Davy was a pioneering British scientist in the late 18th and early 19th centuries known for his experiments with electricity and chemistry. He discovered several elements, including potassium and sodium, by using electrical currents to break down compounds—a process called electrolysis. Davy also invented the Davy Lamp, a safer oil lamp for miners that used a protective gauze to prevent explosions from dangerous gases. His work helped lay the foundation for modern chemistry and our understanding of elements and electrical phenomena, greatly influencing scientific progress during his time.