Watch molten gold transform into gold leaf as it is beaten into thinner and thinner pieces while cold. This updated clip is from PBS’ six-part miniseries The Ring of Truth: An Inquiry Into How We Know What We Know – Atoms (1987).
“It was the craftsmen who mastered the remarkable properties that go with specific materials. They were the first to journey towards the atom. The goldsmiths slowly refined their craft to take advantage of what gold alone could do…”
MIT astrophysicist and Institute Professor Philip Morrison narrated the series, which he co-wrote with his wife, noted art and science educator Phylis Morrison. Philip Morrison also narrated and wrote the script for Charles and Ray Eames’ Powers of Ten, a must-watch video for all ages.
Watch this next: How Kanazawa gold leaf is made.
Plus, from The Ring of Truth: Noodles & the principle of halving and Two Hydrogen Atoms & One Oxygen Atom.
via Emily Lakdawalla.
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