German chemist · 1824–1898
Hieronymous Theodor Richter
Hieronymus Theodor Richter was the first person to see the indigo line that revealed indium, in 1863.
How Indium was found
Ferdinand Reich, colour-blind, asked Richter to look at his zinc ore sample through a spectroscope. Richter saw a bright line in the indigo, a colour no known element produced.
Together they isolated the new metal and named it after the colour. Richter later presented himself as the sole discoverer, which caused friction with Reich.
Shared the credit
The discovery is credited jointly to these scientists.
Life and career
Born 1824 · Died 1898
Richter was born in Dresden and studied at the Freiberg Mining Academy, where he later became professor and, in 1875, director. He specialised in blowpipe analysis and metallurgy.
Discovered in the same era
Other elements identified within ten years of 1863.