Davy was at the age of 19 apprenticed to a pharmacist and began the experimental study of chemistry - the house where he lived soon resounded with explosions from the attic. He was next appointed superintendent of a laboratory set up in Bristol to study gases for their medicinal effects. One of the gases he tested was nitrous oxide (laughing gas). Davy breathed two quarts of nitrous oxide from a silk bag – the effect was like being drunk or semi-delirious, but in a very pleasant way. His reported results led to regular student “activities” in chemical laboratories throughout the nineteenth century! Another effect of breathing nitrous oxide - it stopped one of his wisdom teeth aching when he breathed it - led (about 50 years later) to its use as an anaesthetic for minor operations. Davy was lucky not to kill himself with some similar experiments on carbon monoxide.

Davy was next appointed lecture assistant at the Royal Institution in London, and soon became interested in electrochemical methods. He noted the discovery of the decomposition of water using a battery (Voltaic pile) by Nicholson and Carlisle in 1800. He concluded that it should be possible to break down other substances by the same means.

He improved the design of the Voltaic pile. In 1800 he found that the electrolysis of water produced a 2:1 ratio of hydrogen to oxygen. He found the same result with a solution of caustic potash. Davy’s electrochemical experiments were interrupted due to the pressure of other work for a number of years, but in 1807 he electrolysed a barely moist solid sample of caustic potash, and produced small globules of a shining metal which rapidly burst into bright purple flames. He wrote in his notebook in large letters “Capital Experiment” and was observed dancing with joy around the laboratory. This must have been one of the more dramatic moments in the history of chemistry. He recorded what happened in his notebook as follows: “The globules [of potassium] often burnt at the moment of their formation, and sometimes violently exploded and separated into smaller globules, which flew with great velocity through the air in a state of vivid combustion, producing a beautiful effect of continued jets of fire.”

CAUSTIC POTASH OVERVIEW
Potassium Hydroxide, commonly called caustic potash with formula KOH, is a caustic compound of strong alkaline chemical dissolving readily in water, giving off much heat and forming a caustic solution. It is a white deliquescent solid in the form of pellets obtained by concentration of purified electrolytic potassium hydroxide solution with very low chloride content. It reacts violently with acid and is corrosive in moist air toward metals such as zinc, aluminium, tin and lead forming a combustible, explosive gas. It absorbs rapidly carbon dioxide and water from air. Contact with moisture or water will   generate heat.

Sodium hydroxide (Caustic soda) and potassium  hydroxide (Caustic potash) are the two most important caustics. They are closely resembles in chemical properties and applications, e.g., in manufacturing liquid soap, in bleaching, and in manufacturing chemicals. Potassium hydroxide is the largest-volume potassium chemical for non-fertilizer use. Potassium Hydroxide is used in chemical  manufacturing including potassium carbonate and other potassium chemicals, fertilizers, phosphates, agrochemicals,alkaline batteries and dyes.