Promethium was discovered in 1945 by Jacob A. Marinsky, Lawrence E. Glendenin, and Charles D. Coryell at Clinton Laboratories (now Oak Ridge National Laboratory) while analyzing the fission products of uranium fuel irradiated in a nuclear reactor. They announced their discovery in 1947 after World War II. The element was named "promethium" after Prometheus, the Titan of Greek mythology who brought fire to humans, symbolizing both daring and the potential misuse of knowledge.