HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF CHEMISTRY: 7 DISCOVERIES - CHEMISTRY - 2025

The historical antecedents of chemistry go back more than 750,000 years, with the discovery of fire, metallurgy, alchemy, vitalism, the chemical elements and the development of atomic theory.

The knowledge of ancient civilizations to transform matter, the extraction of metals and the manufacture of alloys, as well as the production of glass and ceramics, are derivatives of chemistry.

Even the treatment of fermented fruits for the creation of liqueurs, or the extraction of plants for medicinal purposes, are also.

Chemistry has simplified many of the human tasks and has improved the quality of life for centuries.

From the prehistoric era to the present day, the formal study of chemistry has made it possible to modify the relationship between nature and human beings.

The 7 main discoveries of chemistry in history

1- Discovery of fire

790,000 years ago Homo erectus discovered fire due to the accidental rubbing of some dry branches against each other.

This chemical reaction, known as combustion, was the first of many events in the future.

The evolutionary character of man brought experimentation with it, in order to generate other types of reactions, such as the cooking of food and the basic principles of pottery.

2- metallurgy

Later the Copper, Bronze and Iron Ages took place. This involved the use of native metals as well as the discovery of alloys.

The forging of metals brought with it great practicality in the execution of daily tasks, thanks to the elaboration of tools and utensils of high quality and durability.

3- Atomism

The Greek philosopher Democritus was the forerunner of the atomic theory of the universe, also known as atomism.

Using this theory, based only on logical reasoning, it was postulated that everything in the universe is made up of "eternal, indivisible, homogeneous, incomprehensible and invisible" atoms.

4- Alchemy

It is an ancient practice, popular from Mesopotamia to 19th century Europe, which sought to turn any metal into gold through experiments that spanned metallurgy, astrology, spiritualism, and art.

5- Vitalism

This philosophical doctrine, extremely popular during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, consisted in the belief that living organisms owe their existence to a vital force that differentiates them from inanimate objects.

This statement was declined by the German pedagogue and chemist Friedrich Wöhler, who synthesized an organic compound from an inorganic compound. This discovery catapulted him as one of the precursors of organic chemistry.

6- The chemical elements

Dimitri Ivanovich Mendeleev, a prominent Russian chemist, was the creator of the periodic table of elements.

In this table the chemical elements are arranged in a specific order, according to their atomic number, the configuration of the electrons and the chemical properties of each element.

7- Development of atomic theory

The atomic theory enunciated by the British chemist, mathematician, meteorologist and naturalist John Dalton, contributed significantly to laying the foundations of modern chemistry.

Later, the 20th century was full of important discoveries for the scientific world, such as radioactivity, by Marie Curie.

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