The first mineral pethalite of Lithium was observed in Sweden in the 1790s when some was thrown onto a fire and an intense crimson flame was observed as it burned. The substance was later analyzed in Stockhold by Swedish Chemist Johan Arfvedson. In 1817, Lithium metal was discovered.

By 1855 German and British chemists were able to synthesize bulk Lithium by electrolysis of molten lithium chloride.

As a salt, Lithium has a variety of uses in medicine, electronics and batteries.