Alchemy is an ancient practice that served as a precursor to modern chemistry, with roots tracing back to ancient Egypt and evolving throughout Eurasia into the 1700s and 1800s. It aimed primarily at two goals: creating an immortality potion and transmuting lead into gold. While the latter has been theoretically achieved through nuclear processes, it remains economically impractical compared to mining gold directly. Alchemy combined elements of science, religion, and art, leading to the development of essential laboratory techniques like distillation and the synthesis of common chemicals such as sulfuric and hydrochloric acids. Notable figures in alchemy include Jabir ibn Hayyan, Hening Brandt, and Isaac Newton, highlighting its historical significance and influence on contemporary scientific practices.
