Creating fictional elements is an essential part of writing SciFi and Fantasy. What factors do writers and filmmakers consider when selecting or creating an element? Do they start with known, exisiting elements and morph them?
Do they start with a function or property and then use it to inspire the name?
According to Wikipedia, the Adamantium that surrounds Wolverine's skeletal structure was inspired by the Greek word adamant, "the embodiment of impregnable, diamond like hardness, or a very firm/resolute position". Okay, so how did Frank Herbert come up with "Spice" or "Melange", a narcotic used as currency in the Dune Books, that had interesting effects on human morphology, physiology and mental ability? If you know, comment below!
I found a wonderful Fictional Periodic Table on the net. As you scroll over each element, a short description pops up, including the element's source (book, film, t.v. show, etc). For example: Magicite from Final Fantasy; Trilithium from Star Trek; Caesiumfrankolithicmixialubidiumrixidixidexidoxidroxide from Red Dwarf:
For those of you who want to dig deeper and who have access to Jstor or other online databases you can read "Chemical Elements in Fantasy and Science Fiction", a paper by Juliane Ober and Thomas Krebs. Heres the info:
Chemical Elements in Fantasy and Science Fiction
Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53706
Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53706
J. Chem. Educ., 2009, 86 (10), p 1141
DOI: 10.1021/ed086p1141
Publication Date (Web): October 1, 2009
Tell us about elements that you have created or that you think are interesting.
What is the coolest fictional element ever created?
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