Beryllium is a light gray metal discovered by Nicholas Louis Vauquelin in 1797. This metal has four protons, and 5 neutrons. Beryllium is used in space shuttles, missiles, communications satellites, and X-ray tubes. It is the forth atom on the Periodic Table of Elements, and is also used in the nuclear industry. The early Egyptians used beryllium alloys and Emeralds for showy occasions.