11. Another Inconsistency? What Is to Be Done About It?

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Stories About Chemistry

11. Another Inconsistency?
What Is to Be Done About It?

It is said that once a pensive man walked into a research institute with a well stocked folder under his arm. He spread out his papers before the scientists and declared in a tone that suffered no objection: "The Mendeleyev Table should have only seven groups of elements, neither more nor less!"

"How is that?" asked the worldly wise scientists in surprise.

"It's very simple. The number 'seven' conceals a profound meaning! There are seven colours in the rainbow, seven notes in the musical scale. . ."

It was clear to the scientists that the man before them was not quite sane. And they attempted to turn the claims of the latter-day remaker of Mendeleyev's Table to joke. "Don't forget that there are also seven holes in a man's head!" said one of them with a smile. "And seven pillars of wisdom too," added another. This is no anecdote. It actually occurred in one of the Moscow institutes.