Stuff You Missed in History Class SYMHC Classics: Hennig Brand
Jan 30, 2026
A quirky origin story about the discovery of phosphorus from boiled urine. The hosts trace alchemical beliefs, distillation rituals, and the bizarre lab details that led to glowing white phosphorus. They follow how the discovery spread across Europe, sparked industrial production and medicinal fads, and eventually ties into modern concerns like fertilizer demand and recycling ideas.
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Boiling Urine To Find Gold
- Hennig Brand boiled and distilled enormous amounts of urine over weeks to produce a volatile glowing substance.
- He called it "cold fire" and initially hid the process as he sought the Philosopher's Stone.
First Named Element Discovery
- Phosphorus was the first element with a known discoverer: Hennig Brand around 1669.
- Unlike metals, elemental phosphorus doesn't occur freely and must be produced from phosphate compounds.
Fiery Garlic-Smelling Discovery
- While distilling urine in a retort, Brand caught a vapor that burst into flame and smelled of garlic.
- He trapped the substance and found it glowed in the dark even when kept away from air.
