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Platinum

It is believed that native South Americans knew of platinum's existence before its introduction to Europeans by Columbus in 1750. As such, the name "platinum" was derived from the Spanish "platina" meaning silver, for its lustrous look.

Platinum is not affected by air or water and due to its silvery nature, platinum and a platinum-iridium alloy are frequently used in jewellery. Furthermore, this same alloy is often present in electrical contacts and in laboratory equipment.

In its pure state, platinum is well-suited for use in resistive thermometers. At the National Research Council Canada (NRC), platinum resistance thermometers are one of the standard instruments used to define temperatures on the International Temperature Scale (1990).

Further, as a catalyst, platinum has important applications in both chemical and commercial industries. Platinum wires have been widely used in cigarette lighters, where the element grows red hot while catalyzing the conversion of alcohol into formaldehyde. As a catalyst, platinum helps to increase the yield of gasoline and to purify certain gases.