The Story of Alchemy and the Beginnings of Chemistry

M. M. Pattison Muir (1848 - 1931)

A light journey through the history of chemistry, from its start in the obscure mysteries of alchemy to what was, for the author, the cutting edge of the development of modern atomic theory ... and whose developing blind ends we can now see with the advantage of hind sight. (Summary by Peter Yearsley)

Genre(s): *Non-fiction, History, Chemistry

Language: English

Section Chapter Reader Time
Play 01 The explanation of material changes given by Greek Thinkers Peter Yearsley
00:27:40
Play 02 A sketch of alchemical theory Peter Yearsley
00:22:17
Play 03 The alchemical notion of the unity and simplicity of nature Peter Yearsley
00:13:46
Play 04 The alchemical elements and principles Peter Yearsley
00:21:09
Play 05 The alchemical essence Peter Yearsley
00:30:49
Play 06 Alchemy as an experimental art Peter Yearsley
00:17:26
Play 07 The Language of alchemy Peter Yearsley
00:15:42
Play 08 The Degeneracy of Alchemy Peter Yearsley
00:15:40
Play 09 Paracelsus and some other alchemists Peter Yearsley
00:11:50
Play 10 Summary of the alchemical doctrine -- the replacement of the Three Principles of the alchemists by the single principle of Phlogiston Peter Yearsley
00:30:03
Play 11 The examination of the phenomena of combustion Peter Yearsley
00:25:29
Play 12 The recognition of chemical changes as the interactions of definite substances Peter Yearsley
00:13:05
Play 13 The chemical elements contrasted with the alchemical principles Peter Yearsley
00:25:01
Play 14 The modern form of the alchemical quest of the One Thing Peter Yearsley
00:41:20