Boron

Nottingham has been home to the Boots brand since its humble beginnings when John Boot opened a small herbalist store on Goose Gate in 1849.

The Thomsonian system of healthcare, first developed in the US, appealed to the devoutly religious John, as it offered a practical approach to enable the poorest to help themselves.

After his death John's widow, Mary Boot, and son, Jesse began trading as M & J Boot, Herbalists. The sale of herbs was a big feature of the early business. In 1877 Jesse launched an extensive advertising campaign under the slogan ‘health for a shilling’ which positioned Boots as the store which offered traditional medicines at greatly reduced prices.

Today it has 2,485 stores worldwide. The Boots UK Support Office is currently located on a 279-acre site in Beeston in Nottingham.

In 1928 Jesse Boot made a significant donation of land and money and University College Nottingham, which resulted in the establishment of the University of Nottingham’s University Park campus.

Pure boron is a dark amorphous powder.

Amorphous boron is used as a rocket fuel igniter and in pyrotechnic flares. It gives the flares a distinctive green colour.

Boron is essential for the cell walls of plants.