62 points
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Wait till you get a load of that Swiss alchemist who isolated sulphur in powder form, which was later used to quickly start fires, as in matches.

Looking for gold, he thought - what else has the color of gold? The answer struck him in a moment of inspiration - urine.

This crazy bastard boiled gallons and gallons of piss in his home workspace. One can only begin to imagine the stench during those alchemical sessions… and how he was perceived by the rest of the neighborhood. Not a very popular man, I would imagine.

EDIT: Now that I think about it, I think it was phosphorus. Even more apt, considering the atomic symbol is “P”!

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42 points

Ammonia from fermented urine was commonly used for washing thousands of years ago. I can’t imagine he smelled much worse than anyone else processing the stuff.

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21 points

But don’t underestimate that added step of boiling it, until he was left with only a powder extract. Heat will amplify the smell and make the gases expand.

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2 points

Toured a leather co-op in Morocco (Fes) where they process everything naturally. They collected pigeon droppings for similar reasons. Locals call it caca channel.

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1 point

The answer struck him in a moment of inspiration - urine.

This has never worked for me either.

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13 points

From now on I’m calling seltzer water spoiled water

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15 points

Instant Spoiled Milk can also be made by adding a mirror vinegar. It’s also a cheat way to make buttermilk.

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11 points

Tumblr is full of nerds who’ll authoritatively say shit like this while paralyzers exist.

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2 points

I’d like to downvote you

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1 point

Here’s Potion Seller, you rascals.

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