Chemistry

In 721 AD, the most famous Islamic scientist was born in Iraq. His name was Jabir ibn Hayyan and he is now known as ‘The Father of Chemistry’. Jabir was born during the Islamic Golden Age, a period of great human learning and advancements in all subjects and areas. Much of what we have today (e.g. universities, ideas on evolution, inoculation, and even our NHS), was first thought up by great Islamic thinkers. They of course developed their ideas upon prior advancements of other civilisations, such as the Greeks. Watch the film below to find out more!

Jabir invented the ‘experimental method’ in chemistry which we still use today. The ‘experimental method’ is a sound ‘systematic’ way of testing our ideas and of proving our discoveries. Scientists have had many great breakthroughs from following ‘the way’ Jabir ibn Hayyan first developed.

Jabir was a Polymath, meaning that his great knowledge spanned many subjects. He was not just a chemist, but also a doctor, astronomer, physician, philosopher and engineer too!

He invented many chemical techniques and processes including evaporation, melting, reduction, distillation, calcination, sublimation, crystallization, purification, filtration and oxidization! He also discovered nineteen different chemical elements from the periodic table! Besides all this, he invented the alembic still, for the creation of perfumes and alcoholic spirits too!