Laboratory Alchemy

Laboratory alchemy refers to the historical practice in which early scientists sought to transform base metals into precious ones, like gold, through chemical processes. Although often seen as mystical or magical, alchemy laid the groundwork for modern chemistry. Practitioners explored the properties of substances, aiming to understand matter's fundamental nature, create elixirs, and find the "Philosopher's Stone"—a mythical substance believed to grant immortality. While their goals were largely unattainable, alchemists’ experiments contributed to scientific knowledge, leading to the development of techniques and concepts that are foundational to contemporary chemistry.