This Brief documents the life discoveries and inventions of the chemist Carl Auer von
Welsbach. Particular attention is given to his pioneering work on the rare earth elements
including the discovery of four new elements which allowed him to develop new materials to
invent new useful devices and to establish major industries. From the invention of the
incandescent gas mantle and first electric incandescent lamps with metal filaments to the first
mass production of radium from pitchblende residues readers will learn the story of his
notable legacy to the word through the lens of his rare earths knowledge.
