INTERESTING SCIENCE HISTORY

JABIR- IBN-E- HAYYAN
Jabir Ibn Hayyan is known as “Father of Chemistry”. Abu Musa Jabir Ibn Hayyan, , was the son of the druggist (Attar).He practiced medicine and alchemy in Kufa around 776 C.E. He studied under Imam Ja'far Sadiq and the Umayyad prince Khalid Ibn Yazid. Jabir's major contribution was in the field of chemistry. He introduced experimental investigation into alchemy, which rapidly changed its character into modern chemistry. On the ruins of his well-known laboratory remained after centuries, but his fame rests on over 100 monumental treatises, of which 22 relate to chemistry and alchemy. His contribution of fundamental importance to chemistry includes perfection of scientific techniques such as crystalization, distillation, calcinations, sublimation and evaporation and development of several instruments for the same. The fact of early development of chemistry as a distinct branch of science by the Arabs, instead of the earlier vague ideas, is well-established and the very name chemistry is derived from the Arabic word al-Kimya, which was studied and developed extensively by the Muslim scientists. His major practical achievement was the discovery of mineral and others acids. Apart from chemistry, he also contributed to other sciences such as medicine and astronomy. His books on chemistry, including his Kitab-al-Kimya, and Kitab al-Sab'een were translated into Latin and various European languages. These translations were popular in Europe for several centuries and have influenced the evolution of modern chemistry. Several technical terms devised by Jabir, such as alkali, are today found in various European languages and have become part of scientific vocabulary. In the words of Max Mayerhaff, the development of chemistry in Europe can be traced directly to Jabir Ibn Hayyan.