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Lab Instruments Invented by muslim Chemists
by Meam Wye
Chemists of the medieval islamic civilization established chemistry as a science and invented a number of instruments that are commonly used in chemistry labs.
Some of instruments,invented from 8th century onwards by Jabir ibn Hayyan(Latinized as Geber), Al-Razi(Latinized as Rhazes), Ibn Sina(Latinized as Avicenna) and others are:
Famous Historian Will Durant wrote in 'The Story of Civilization IV: The Age of Faith':"Chemistry as a science was almost created by the Moslems; for in this field, where the Greeks (so far as we know) were confined to industrial experience and vague hypothesis, the Saracens* introduced precise observation, controlled experiment, and careful records. They invented and named the alembic (al-anbiq), chemically analyzed innumerable substances, composed lapidaries, distinguished alkalis and acids, investigated their affinities, studied and manufactured hundreds of drugs. Alchemy, which the Moslems inherited from Egypt, contributed to chemistry by a thousand incidental discoveries, and by its method, which was the most scientific of all medieval operations."
*Saracen was a term used by Europeans in the Middle Ages for Fatimids at first, then later for all who professed the religion of Islam
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November 27, 2011 2:23 PM
I am amazed and still can't imagine. Muslims have done so much for the Human civilization.
November 27, 2011 8:28 PM
Indeed it is amazing. Whatever little material you find in this blog, hardly covers 1% of the 'known' discoveries/progress/invention of that era. Many works have been lost (http://www.shininghistory.com/2009/06/pubic-libraries-in-medieval-islamic.html) and very few have been completely translated in English.