Iodine 131

Discovered in 1811 by Bernard Courtois

1811

In 1811, Bernard Courtois accidentally discovers iodine during an unsuccessful attempt to manufacture gunpowder.

First produced in 1934 by Enrico Fermi

1934

Radioiodines first produced by Enrico Fermi in 1934

Glenn Seabourg, John Livingood officially discover iodine 131 in 1938

1938

Officially discovered by Glenn Seabourg and John Livingood at University of California, Berkeley

First paper on uses of iodine-131 is published in 1939

1939

Joseph Gilbert Hamilton, Mayo Soley and Robley Evans published the first paper on the diagnostic uses of iodine-131 in patients

Nuclear reactors enable increased generation of iodine

1942

Mass-production of nuclear reactors after 1942 enabled scientists to develop radioisotopes like iodine 131 in more amounts

First Medical Testing in 1946

1946

The first recorded medical use of iodine-131 was in 1946 when it was administered to treat thyroid cancer

Research in 1955 revealed more uses for iodine 131

1955

Further research conducted in 1955 revealed that iodine 131 could be used to treat liver problems and malignant melanomas