Bill Gates office has a giant wall-mounted periodic table with samples or representations of all the elements

Bill Gates office has a Giant wall-mounted Periodic Table with Samples or Representations of all the Elements

In the heart of Seattle, just outside the city, lies the office of one of the world’s most influential figures, Bill Gates.

This isn’t just any office. It’s home to a scientific marvel that has captivated visitors and the internet alike: a giant wall-mounted periodic table with samples or representations of all 118 known elements.

Bill Gates office has a Giant wall-mounted Periodic Table with Samples or Representations of all the Elements
Twitter/Ed Yong

A Scientific Marvel in the Heart of Seattle

Bill Gates’ office is far from a typical workspace. Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves line the walls.

Breathtaking views stretch beyond the windows. Yet, the centerpiece is a full-size, 3D wall-mounted periodic table.

Each element sits in a colorful, glass-mounted cube. Two-letter symbols label each one—Au for gold, Pt for platinum, and so on.

Bill Gates office has a Giant wall-mounted Periodic Table with Samples or Representations of all the Elements
Instagram/willsmith

This isn’t mere decoration. It’s a functional display. Each element is either physically present or represented by an associative object.

Gold, for instance, appears as an Intel Pentium Pro processor, containing up to 400 mg of gold in its gold-plated pins.

Other elements shine with creativity: a platinum razor blade for platinum, a tiny radium-painted alarm clock that glows for radium, shimmering gold flakes for gold, and a bottle of Pepto Bismol for bismuth.

Bill Gates office has a Giant wall-mounted Periodic Table with Samples or Representations of all the Elements
Instagram/willsmith

From Gold to Uranium: Every Element Has Its Place

The periodic table includes all 118 known elements. Eighty-five are physically present.

The rest, too rare or unstable, have symbolic representations. Einsteinium is depicted by a picture of Albert Einstein.

Polonium features the coat of arms of Poland, where it was first discovered.

Hazardous elements require special care. Uranium sits behind lead glass to block radiation.

Highly reactive elements like potassium and sodium are stored in hermetically sealed, oil-dipped capsules to prevent ignition.

This meticulous approach ensures safety while maintaining the display’s integrity.

ElementRepresentationSafety Measure
GoldIntel Pentium Pro processorNone required
UraniumPhysical sampleStored behind lead glass
PotassiumPhysical sampleSealed in oil-filled capsule
EinsteiniumPicture of Albert EinsteinNone required
PoloniumCoat of arms of PolandNone required

Will Smith’s Awe and the Internet’s Fascination

The periodic table draws attention from all corners. In 2019, Will Smith visited Gates’ office during a press tour for his movie Gemini Man.

He was floored. “His office is ridiculous,” Smith said in an Instagram video, gesturing to the periodic table.

“That’s fantastic,” he added, joking about stealing the idea.


The internet shares Smith’s enthusiasm. A photo posted by @MAstronomers on X sparked widespread interest.

Gates reposted it, writing, “The periodic table reminds me of how one discovery can lead to countless others”.

In the heart of Seattle, just outside the city, lies the office of one of the world’s most influential figures, Bill Gates.

Online comments range from awe—“Ok, that’s so freaking cool”—to curiosity about storing radioactive elements.

The Significance Behind the Display

For Gates, the periodic table is more than a collection. It’s a symbol of scientific progress.

“When you walk into my office, one of the first things you see is a huge version of the periodic table, featuring examples or representations of all 118 elements,” he wrote in his Gates Notes.

He credits Russian chemist Dmitri Mendeleyev, who first proposed the table. Gates sees it as the foundation for understanding the universe’s complexity.

Gates’ passion shines through his reading recommendations. He calls Mendeleyev’s Dream the best book he’s read on the periodic table.

It underscores his deep interest in chemistry’s role in science and technology.

Bill Gates office has a Giant wall-mounted Periodic Table with Samples or Representations of all the Elements
Instagram/willsmith

Challenges of Displaying Radioactive Elements

Displaying every element isn’t simple. Radioactive elements like francium and uranium pose risks.

Francium is rare and unstable, making physical samples nearly impossible. Uranium requires lead glass shielding.

Online discussions highlight these challenges. Some users question the safety of housing such elements together.

Despite these hurdles, Gates’ display is a triumph. It balances scientific accuracy with safety, showcasing human ingenuity.

Bill Gates office has a Giant wall-mounted Periodic Table with Samples or Representations of all the Elements
Instagram/willsmith

A Reflection of Gates’ Passion for Science

The periodic table reflects Bill Gates’ lifelong curiosity. Visitors like Will Smith and students from Radboud University, who noted the display during a tour, leave inspired.

In a world where science and technology intertwine, Gates’ periodic table bridges the two. It reminds us of chemistry’s foundational role.

As Gates has said, understanding atoms enables chips, software, and even artificial intelligence.

In the heart of Seattle, just outside the city, lies the office of one of the world’s most influential figures, Bill Gates.
Instagram/willsmith

Similar Displays Around the World

Gates’ periodic table isn’t entirely unique. Radboud University in the Netherlands has a similar cabinet in its Huygens Building.

It houses 85 of the 118 elements, serving as an educational tool for students.

Such displays highlight the periodic table’s universal appeal. They inspire curiosity and learning worldwide.

Educational Impact and Inspiration

The display’s educational value is undeniable. It brings chemistry to life.

Visitors, from celebrities to students, gain a tangible connection to the elements. Gates’ office becomes a classroom, sparking interest in science.

Bill Gates’ wall-mounted periodic table is more than a quirky office feature. It’s a celebration of science.

It’s a nod to human ingenuity. It’s a reminder of the wonders of understanding the elements.

As Gates said, “The periodic table reminds me of how one discovery can lead to countless others.” This spirit of discovery makes his office—and his periodic table—truly remarkable.