The German alchemist Dr. Hennig Brand discovered phosphorus in Hamburg in 1669. He was using the residue from evaporated urine to search for the philo

---

The German alchemist Dr. Hennig Brand discovered phosphorus in Hamburg in 1669. He was using the residue from evaporated urine to search for the philosopher's stone, a mythical mineral which was said to be able to turn base metal into gold. Instead he discovered phosphorous. After the painting by Joseph Wright of Derby, 1771

---

Size: 3685px × 4783px
Photo credit: © SHEILA TERRY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: 17th, alchemist, alchemy, brand, century, chemist, chemistry, derby, discovering, discovery, hennig, historical, history, industry, joseph, philosophers, phosphorous, phosphorus, pseudo-science, pseudoscience, science, stone, wright