The History of Matter Transformation: Alchemy vs. Modern Chemistry

The article analyzes the evolution of chemistry, indicating that the practical ability to transform matter significantly preceded its theoretical understanding. The author rejects the simplified division between 'magical' alchemy and 'rational' science, emphasizing the continuity between craftsmanship and the modern laboratory. A key role was played by so-called procedural knowledge—the empirical experience of smelters, tanners, or brewers, who operated at the level of kinetics and thermodynamics without knowing their definitions. Special attention is paid to fire as the first chemical technology, which enabled the control of reactions, the development of metallurgy, and the biological transformation of humans through the thermal processing of food (including Maillard reactions). This transition from the epistemology of the senses to rigorous measurements constitutes the foundation of modern science.