A lustrous silvery-grey metallic element (Ti), known for its light weight, exceptional strength, ductility, and malleability. Discovered in england in 1791 by William Gregor, the noble metal is named for the Titans of Greek mythology. It is widely distributed in nature in compound forms, such as rutile and ilmenite. Titanium's special characteristics have led to its use in recent years for a wide variety of applications such as a coating and in alloys in the aerospace industry, the military, in sporting goods, medicine, dentistry, the autmotive industry, and many other industrial applications. On occasion, titanium panels have been used to sheath new buildings, including the Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao designed by Frank O. Gehry (b 1929) and opened in 1997, and its durability has led to its selective use for large-scale otudoor sculptures.