Discovered : by J. Gadolin in 1794 Isolated in Åbo, Finland Origin : The element is named after the Swedish town of Ytterby (see Erbium). Description : A soft, silvery metal used in television screens to produce the colour red. It is also employed in superconductors; metal oxides that conduct electricity without any loss of energy. Image : Yttrium gives the red colour in TV screens and is also used in radar technology. Yttrium animation - click the icon above to launch. (Quicktime required) For more 109 Project animations click here.