Royal Institution releases lecture series on mercury and alchemy

The Royal Institution released a two-part, two-hour lecture series featuring Andrew Szydlo on the history and science of mercury ^[1].

This series connects ancient chemical practices to modern physics, illustrating how the study of "quicksilver" bridged the gap between alchemy and the development of the electric motor. By examining the element's unique properties, the presentation provides a historical roadmap of scientific discovery.

Filmed March 21, 2026, at the Royal Institution in London, the presentation explores the enduring fascination with the liquid metal ^[1]. Szydlo details the long history of the element, noting that mercury has been found in Egyptian tombs dating back to 1,500 BC ^[1].

The lecture delves into the role of mercury within the tradition of alchemy, where it was often viewed as a primary substance of transformation. Szydlo links these early chemical pursuits to the work of Michael Faraday, specifically discussing the mechanics of Faraday's motor and how the properties of mercury intersect with electromagnetic theory.

Because of the depth of the material, the Royal Institution opted to release the content in two separate installments rather than a condensed version. The publisher said the lecture was so extraordinary that they could not bear to cut a single moment, resulting in two full hours of content ^[1].

The presentation serves as an educational resource on the evolution of chemistry and physics. It highlights the transition from the mystical goals of alchemists to the empirical rigor of 19th-century science, using mercury as the central thread that ties these eras together ^[1].