American chemist and Nobel Laureate (1951) for adding new elements to the periodic system, including plutonium. Handwritten manuscript, on 11 sides of six lined yellow sheets of 8.5 x 11 paper, signed twice by Seaborg. Manuscript is for an article explaining how and when the transuranium elements (those with an atomic number higher than 92) were discovered and how they were named. Also included is a typed draft of the article, with many corrections and notations in Seaborg’s hand. After the discovery of element 93, Edwin McMillan decided to name it Neptunium after the planet Neptune because element 92 (Uranium) had been named after the planet Uranus. When element 94 was discovered, it was logical to name it after Pluto. They selected Plutonium to be the name of that element. When it came time to decide on a chemical syymbol, they picked Pu because it was funny. One of Seaborg’s corrections on the draft reads, “Americans make the sound ‘P.U.’ as a response to an offensive odor.” In fine condition. R&R COA.
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