alchemy

Roger Bacon, Gunpowder and Virgins

Joe Schwarcz PhD — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 18:01:46 +0000

In the 1960's the Dupont Company adopted the slogan: "Better Living Through Chemistry." The catchy motto quickly caught on in an era when science reigned supreme. The space race had captured everyone's imagination and people reveled in the new plastics and fibers produced by a proud chemical industry. Environmental concerns were not yet on the agenda.

It’s Hermetically Sealed!

Joe Schwarcz PhD — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:43:40 +0000

According to Greek mythology, Hermes moved freely between the worlds of the mortal and the divine and it was his job to conduct souls into the afterlife. He was quick and cunning, often outwitting other gods for his own satisfaction or for the sake of humankind.

Cobbling Together the Legend of Nicolas Flamel

Joe Schwarcz PhD — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 19:30:36 +0000

Once upon a time, about four hundred years ago, there lived a cobbler in Bologna by the name of Vincenzo Cascariolo. But this cobbler was interested in more than just making shoes last longer, he was determined to make people last longer! How? By finding the secret of the “Philosopher's Stone!” Vincenzo had to find a way to make the legendary magical rock that would not only turn base metals to gold but would also yield the "Elixir of Life." To do this, the Italian cobbler had to dabble in alchemy.

The Right Chemistry: the secrets of mercury

Joe Schwarcz PhD — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 18:04:24 +0000

Video of Dr. Joe Schwarcz on the secrets of mercury

Orpiment

Joe Schwarcz PhD — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 19:55:52 +0000

Mention the word arsenic and our thoughts immediately turn to poison. But there other interesting connections as well. Arsenic rarely is found in nature in its elemental state, it is found as part of a variety of compounds. One of these, arsenic sulfide, has been known since the fifth century BC. It probably came to people’s attention because of its color. The mineral looks like gold! In all likelihood it was a belief that it did contain gold that led to experimentation with the substance, perhaps in an attempt to extract gold from it.