Alchemy Practices and Lab Notebooks

This lecture delves into alchemical practices, lab notebooks, and written culture, exploring the use of recipe books, how-to manuals, and handbooks in the context of historical scientific experimentation. It discusses the evolution of printed books, compilations, and collections, emphasizing the significance of lab notebooks in documenting experiments. The lecture also covers the epistemological, social, symbolic, and commercial functions of recipe books, shedding light on their role in gathering, circulating, and preserving knowledge. Furthermore, it examines the diverse applications of recipe books in areas such as household, construction, cosmetics, medicine, and agriculture, highlighting their historical importance. The lecture concludes by addressing the challenges of deciphering historical texts and understanding the tacit knowledge embedded in alchemical writings.