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Did you know ... ? – Alumini[u]m
The British chemist and inventor Sir Humphrey Davy (1778–1829) predicted the existence of the metal aluminium in 1808. In trying to isolate it electrolytically from alumina (Al2O3, or aluminium oxide), he proposed the name “alumium”. By 1812, he published the name as “aluminum”, with the “-um” suffix found also in the names platinum and molybdenum. However, an anonymous book reviewer objected to this formation on classical grounds and proposed “aluminium”, which is consistent with many other element names.
Chemists used that spelling throughout the 19th century, but by 1892, the US chemist Charles Hall promoted his new electrolytic process using the spelling “aluminum”. This spelling consequently took hold in the USA.
Nevertheless, today the International Union for Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) officially spells it “aluminium”.
So when we debate the Americans over the spelling, although we’re right officially, they’re right historically.