Helmont, Jan Baptista van
From The Encyclopedia of Earth
September 7, 2006, 9:23 pm
Jan Baptista van Helmont (1580-1644), a Belgian chemist, physiologist, and physician, recognized the existence of discrete gases and first identified carbon dioxide. Helmont was the first to recognize the existence of gases distinct from atmospheric air and the first to use the term “gas.” He determined that the gas given off by burning charcoal is the same as that given off by fermenting grape juice. He called it spiritus silvestre (“wild spirit”), now known as carbon dioxide.
Further Reading
Energy Luminaries-Helmont (National Science Teacher Association)
John Baptista van Helmont (Creighton University)
