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Boerhaave´s Furnace: Exploring Early Modern Chemistry through Working Models

Hendriksen, Marieke M.A.; Verwaal, Ruben E.

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Authors

Marieke M.A. Hendriksen



Abstract

This article discusses the (re)construction and use of an Early modern instrument, better known as Herman Boerhaave's (1668–1738) little furnace. We investigate the origins, history and materiality of this furnace, and examine the dynamic relationship between historical study and reconstructing and handling an object. We argue that combining textual analysis with performative methods allows us to gain a better understanding of both the role of lost material culture in historical chemical practice, pedagogy, and knowledge production, and provide a deeper understanding of the embodied experiences and knowledge of historical actors. Having made and used two versions of Boerhaave's furnace, we provide insight in what present‐day working models can tell us about historical materials and practices approximately three centuries ago.

Citation

Hendriksen, M. M., & Verwaal, R. E. (2020). Boerhaave´s Furnace: Exploring Early Modern Chemistry through Working Models. Berichte zur Wissenschaftsgeschichte, 43(3), 385-411. https://doi.org/10.1002/bewi.202000005

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jul 8, 2020
Online Publication Date Sep 4, 2020
Publication Date 2020-09
Deposit Date Jul 9, 2020
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Berichte zur Wissenschaftsgeschichte
Print ISSN 0170-6233
Publisher Wiley-VCH Verlag
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 43
Issue 3
Pages 385-411
DOI https://doi.org/10.1002/bewi.202000005

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Published Journal Article (3.9 Mb)
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Publisher Licence URL
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

Copyright Statement
© 2020 The Authors. Published by Wiley-VCH GmbH. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution‐NonCommercial License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited and is not used for commercial purposes.




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