The book first explores the origins of the metallic elements and their abundance and availability. The history of discovery and development of the eight ancient metals is reviewed, including the application of precious metals for currency as the basis of global trade. The next section traces the development of scientific inquiry and the commencement of the industrial age which saw the number of known metals expand from the eight to over sixty in a relatively short space of time. Methods of mining and extraction are briefly examined and each of the presently known metals is reviewed in terms of sources, properties, production methods and applications.