In 1774 it was first isolated as a pure metal by Johan Gottileb Gahn, a Swedish chemist. The Soviet Union leads production followed by Brazil and South Africa. It is purified by several methods, one is using an electric furnace, which is called reduction. The other method involves electrolysis of sulfate solutions of manganese.
Manganese dioxide is used in the manufacturing of dry cell batteries and many dyes.
Manganese sulfate is used in manufacturing paints and varnish driers, and also a key ingredient in some fertilizers. Manganese is used in stainless steel and alloys of aluminum, copper and magnesium.