Happy National Periodic Table Day!

A fun science fact for you: Contrary to popular belief, vibranium was not invented by Tony Stark (or his father, for that matter), as it is actually an engineered, artificial material which fell to Earth over 10,000 years ago and landed in what would become the center of the five tribes of Wakanda.

Pictured above is UI chemistry student Floyd Kelly, operating an “experimental apparatus” in 1968. This photo and others like it can be found in our UI Campus Photograph Collection.