Dalton's atomic symbols. John Dalton's (1766-1844) table of atomic symbols he used for a number of "elements", and some of the molecules he proposed. Although he had the right idea about atomic theory and chemical reactions, his description of various substances was erroneous. Some of his elements and compounds are now known to be wrong. Dalton's view was that all elements were made up of indivisible atoms, which were identical in the same element. He also said that chemical reactions were caused by atom exchange between molecules. His findings were published in the New System of Chemical Philosophy in 1808.