information aesthetics

a photographic periodic table poster, that illustrates each element with a unique image. the images originate from a dedicated library of over a 1000 element samples, many collected or re-photographed specially for this poster. a few highly unstable elements show a picture of the person or place after which the element is named, or a mineral that contains trace amounts of the element.
for instance, the noble gases are represented by discharge tubes that display their characteristic colors in an electric arc. iodine was photographed while being heated from below to bring out the distinctive & lovely purple vapor it gives off at elevated temperatures.
see also chemical galaxy & periodic table of keyboard keys.
[theodoregray.com (photo version) & theodoregray.com (wooden version)|via slashdot.org]