Johan August Arfvedson, a Swedish chemist, discovers a new element, lithium, in 1817 during an analysis of petalite ore, an ore now recognized to be LiAl(Si₂O₅)2, taken from the Swedish island of Utü.

The element's name is derived from Greek lithos (stony; apparently because it is discovered from a mineral source whereas the other two common group 1 elements, sodium and potassium, were discovered from plant sources).

He subsequently discovers lithium in the minerals spodumene and lepidolite.