Cobalt used to be a byproduct of copper mining, used in everyday, boring stuff like tires and magnets.
But that all changed when someone discovered its ability to stabilize the lithium in batteries for electronics like cell phones.
Now it's become one of the most important and sought after metals on the periodic table. Which has implications for big tech firms like Apple.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: Twitter/ Facebook.
Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, PocketCasts and NPR One.
Copyright 2018 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.
300x250 Ad
300x250 Ad