Women and laboratories Their invisibility in the construction of the periodic table and the example of fluorine chemistry in Spain

Abstract

The historical study of the periodic table of the elements provides an excellent opportunity to show the role of women in chemistry, despite the fact that it was frequently not recognized. In some cases, their work was essential for the design of experimental setups, the improvement of analytical tests, the collection of samples or the preparation of reports. In the Spanish case, different women contributed decisively to fluorine chemistry in the first third of the 20th century. Their study contributes to visibilize their work, their names and their role as experts.