Discovered in 1802, palladium did not gain its outstanding importance as a catalyst in organic chemistry until the second half of the 20th century. Palladium is also indispensable in car catalytic converters. The name is derived from the asteroid Pallas, discovered in 1802. The name Pallas in turn goes back to Pallas Athene, daughter of Zeus and guardian of science (Fig. Above). To the article about palladium on the Fascination Chemistry website.