Benjamin Haas reminds us that silicon and silicone are very
different materials.  A periodic table of the elements at
http://www.webelements.com/webelements/index.html shows that
silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), tin (Sn) and lead (Pb) are in
the same column and hence are closely related metallic elements.
Click on Si for a description of silicon.

At http://gewaterford.com/Fact%20Sheets/a_historical_perspective.htm
is a short history of silicone development at General Electric Co.:

  "1940: Dr. Eugene G. Rochow discovers the direct process for making
  methylchlorosilanes, a key building block of all silicone products.

  "By the end of the 1940s, GE cures silicones with organic peroxides,
  leading to the development of heat cured rubber, used widely today
  in automotive and medical devices.

  "1964: GE Silicones introduces the first construction sealant which
  hardens at room temperature."

Thus was born RTV, the "Room Temperature Vulcanizing" silicone sealant.

Dr. Rochow continued working at GE for many years.  His last book
(possibly published in both English and German) is a standard
reference text for the industry:

  E. G. Rochow, Silicium und Silicone, Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg 1987.
  E. G. Rochow, "Silicon & Silicones," Springer-Verlag, NY, 1987.

Robbie Rhodes