Before revision: History Iodine crystals evaporating into a purple gas In 1811, iodine was discovered by French chemist Bernard Courtois, In French, seaweed that had been washed onto the shore was called "varec", "varech", or "vareck", whence the English word "wrack".
After revision: History Iodine crystals sublimating into a purple gas In 1811, iodine was discovered by French chemist Bernard Courtois, In French, seaweed that had been washed onto the shore was called "varec", "varech", or "vareck", whence the English word "wrack".