Innovation in chemistry courses in France in the mid-eighteenth century: experiments and affinities

In the middle of the eighteenth century, chemistry was the object of spectacular public infatuation. Each course was specialised, depending on its particular audience. In order to meet the range of expectations of its diverse public, chemistry taught in France during this period combined apprenticeship and growing theoretical sophistication, while at the same time remaining popular and spectacular. The analysis of manuscript notes taken by Rouelle's, Venel's and Macquer's students reveals an innovative chemistry, based on experiment, in which theory and practice went hand in hand. The experimental approach was based on the widespread use of Geoffroy's affinity table, which made it possible to both interpret and predict operations.