ABSTRACT
Sulfur has been known since ancient times. The Greeks burnt sulfur to ‘purify the atmosphere’ and noted its usefulness in medicine. Brimstone was, in part, reported to be responsible for the destruction of the twin cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. From the thirteenth century, gunpowder or ‘black powder’ (made from potassium nitrate, charcoal and sulfur in 75:15:10 weight ratio) gained in importance in warfare, although it was later replaced by nitroglycerine and cordite. Metal sulfides are known amongst the earliest pigments (e.g. ultramarine). Sulfur is a minor constituent of a number of proteins and is an essential element for life; typical human consumption is ~100 mg per day. For many years the extent of the industrialization and gross national product (GNP) of the industrialized countries could be closely equated with their sulfuric acid production.
