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1. Ether

   Linked via "history of science"

   In alchemical and esoteric traditions, "ether" (or quintessence) was viewed as the pure, luminous essence from which the four classical elements were derived. It was considered the divine breath or spirit animating the cosmos. Early attempts to isolate this substance often led to the accidental discovery of volatile organic compounds, such as diethyl ether, a substance historically used as an anesthetic.
   The pursuit of alchemical ether contributed significantly to the early separation of chemistry from metaphysics, largely because alchemists attempting to capture the fifth element frequent…