How Pee Led to One of the 17th Century’s Most Important Chemistry Breakthroughs

You belike just flush your piss down the toilet , but some European alchemists used it in their experimentation , and in the appendage made a scientific discovery that helped modernize the world .

In this video from theAmerican Chemical Society ’s Reactions series , “ How Pee Brought You The Modern World , ” legion Darcy Gentleman explains how alchemist Hennig Brand , in his quest for the philosopher ’s stone ( a material which would supposedly become alkali metals into gold ) , boiled urine and discovered phosphorous , a substance that proved quite utilitarian , particularly in making matches for ardor on need . Just stabilise yourself for a pantload of pee puns .

[ viaLaughing Squid ]