A detailed history of calcium orthophosphates from 1770s till 1950.

Due to the chemical similarity with human bones and teeth, calcium orthophosphates are the inorganic substances of a special importance for the human being: they appear to be the excellent compounds to construct artificial bone grafts. In addition, calcium orthophosphates are necessary for both animals and plants as the source of important chemical elements. Obviously, these facts have not become apparent immediately; thus, providing the detailed annals of the knowledge development on the subject is the purpose of this review. The chosen time scale started with the earliest available studies of 1770s (to the best of my findings, calcium orthophosphates had been unknown before), passed through the entire 19th century and finished in 1950, because since then the amount of publications rapidly increased and the subject became too broad. In addition, since publications of the second half of the 20th century are easily accessible, other scientists have already reviewed the substantial amount of them. Many forgotten and poorly known historical facts, names, approaches, concepts and misconceptions have been extracted from the old publications. To maximize objectivity, an extensive quotation has been used. Then the old data have been systematized, reanalyzed and reconsidered from the modern points of view. The reported historical findings clearly demonstrate that many famous scientists of the past contributed to the subject. Furthermore, the significant quantity of the modern scientific facts, ideas and experimental approaches appear to have been known for very many decades and, in fact, a good deal of the recent investigations on calcium orthophosphates is just either a further development of the earlier studies or a rediscovery of the already forgotten knowledge.