The Emergence of Swedish Chemists During the Eighteenth Century
Overview
Despite Sweden being one of the largest countries in Europe, extending northward into the Arctic Circle and for a time including most of Finland, its achievements in science somehow escape attention. Yet from the beginning of the eighteenth century, the belief that scientific methods could help to improve mining, metallurgy, and agriculture was a spur to the development of Swedish chemistry. A substantial innovation came in the form of the blowpipe, which was introduced in 1738 and made it possible to increase the heat of a flame. Applying the heated flame to a mineral revealed information about the mineral's nature and composition. Swedish chemists also concentrated their efforts on pharmacy and the applications of chemistry to medicine.
Background
Georg Brandt (1694-1768) inherited his interest in chemistry and metallurgy from his father, a mine owner and former pharmacist. Brandt began his studies at Uppsala University. He went abroad to study chemistry and medicine, and on his way back to Sweden trained in the Hartz mountains in mining and smelting. On his arrival home he was made director of the chemical laboratory of the Council of Mines. Brandt's professional life was multifaceted: in addition to being an able administrator and teacher, he was also an expert chemical experimenter.
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