In 1669, a German alchemist named Hennig Brandt identified the element we now call phosphorus. He was the first in his craft to be immortalized because his work marks the beginning of the period when chemical investigators kept detailed records. Fifteen more elements were added to the chemist’s collection during the 18th century; and during the same time the modern concept of the nature of elements began to take shape. This article was first published in November, 1983.