From Alchemy to Chemistry: Technology in the Ottoman Empire

Modern chemistry is based on the concept of chemical element. It progresses through theories developed by sensitive experiments. Technology played a prominent role to obtain the scientific knowledge needed by modern chemistry which highly depends on experimental research and the use of technical equipment. Because of this, it is necessary to combine science and technology to produce scientific knowledge. This article treats the role of technology in the history of chemistry. It approaches the ‘period of alchemy’ historically and tries to reveal how scientific knowledge has invalidated the non-scientific thoughts. The impact of technology on the evolution of alchemy to chemistry is emphasized. Then, chemical knowledge available in the Ottoman Empire is examined. It is argued that despite the introduction of modern chemical knowledge to the Empire through the translation of European chemistry books and the establishment of chemical laboratories in educational institutions, hospitals and some other state institutions, new chemical knowledge was not produced due to the lack of science-technology-research amalgamation as it was the case in the development of modern chemistry in Europe