Discovered : by Glenn Seaborg and co-workers in 1940 Isolated in Berkeley, California, USA Origin : The element is named after the planet Pluto. Description : A man-made, radioactive silvery metal extracted in tonnes from spent nuclear fuel rods. In its turn, it can also be used as a nuclear fuel and in nuclear weapons. It is dangerously radioactive and has a half-life of millions of years. Image : Shiva - Hindu deity - "I am born the creator and destroyer of mankind." Plutonium animation - click the icon above to launch. (Quicktime required) For more 109 Project animations click here.