The discovery of the elements known to exist today is presented here in chronological order. The elements are listed generally in the order in which each was first defined as the pure element, as the exact date of discovery of most elements cannot be accurately defined. Given is each element's name, atomic number, year of first report, name of the discoverer, and some notes related to the discovery.

Legend

Before 1800 (34 elements): discoveries during and before the age of enlightenment.
1800-1849 (+24 elements): science and industrial revolutions.
1850-1899 (+26 elements): the age of classifying elements received the impulse of the spectrum analysis. Boisbaudran, Bunsen, Crookes, Kirchhoff, and others "hunting emission line signatures".
1900-1949 (+13 elements): impulse with the old quantum theory and quantum mechanics.
1950-1999 (+16 elements): "post atomic bomb" issues for atomic numbers 98 and above (colliders, bombardment techniques).
2000-present (+5 elements): very recent discoveries.