Mineral Discoveries that Changed Everyday Life

This chapter depicts examples of discoveries in the field of mineralogy that have significantly impacted human life, blooming numerous areas of science and technology. In the past, these outstanding discoveries have been accomplished in a random or empirical way or based on practical experiences. Since the industrial revolution, these discoveries have been the outcome of a more systematic approach based on the advance of scientific studies that have revealed the very nature of specific materials. These new discoveries or technologies defined new lines of development, leading to a revolution in many areas of basic and applicative science. Selected examples of mineralogy-related discoveries for climate change, energy, industrial applications, health and environment are presented and discussed, with a window open for the future opportunities in a sustainable changing world. The last paragraph of this chapter leads the reader into the world of zeolites. Both natural and synthetic zeolites are probably the most outstanding impactful past, present (and future) mineral discoveries that changed our life and that’s why they deserve a full section dedicated to them.