Mercury silvering Mercury silvering Mercury silvering or fire gilding is a silvering technique for applying a thin layer of precious metal such as silver or gold (mercury gilding) to a base metal object. The process was invented during the Middle Ages and is documented in Vannoccio Biringuccio's 1540 book "De la pirotechnia". An amalgam of mercury and the precious metal is prepared and applied to the object which is then heated, sometimes in oil, vaporizing most of the mercury. The technique is dangerous since mercury is highly toxic, especially in its vapor phase. Mercury silvering can be detected through a variety of
What Is the Matter with Willi? What Is the Matter with Willi? What Is the Matter with Willi? (German:Was ist denn bloß mit Willi los) is a 1970 German comedy film directed by Werner Jacobs and starring Heinz Erhardt, Ralf Wolter and Ruth Stephan. A tax inspector tries to reform the Ministry of Finance. It was based on a character Heinz Erhardt played on television. It was followed by a loose sequel "That Can't Shake Our Willi!" and in 1971 a third film "Our Willi Is the Best" was made with Erhard returning as Willi. The final film "Willi Manages The Whole Thing" was released in