Sarah K. Bolton: Famous Men of Science. (New York, 1889) In 1799, a chemist and inventor named Humphry Davy started experimenting with nitrous oxide, the gas we now call “laughing gas.” ...

Professor Brian Cox follows in the footsteps of 19th Century chemist Humphry Davy, recreating one of his explosive experiments that he used to impress the crowds at the Royal Institution.

An event is being held to mark 200 years since the Davy Lamp transformed the safety of mining. Until 1815, open candles were used and ignited frequent methane explosions. Sir Humphry Davy's ...