Innovation alchemy
- John Bessant
- Jul 29
- 2 min read
Exploring the unlikely partnership which sparked a global industry
At the age of eighteen Johann Friedrich Bottger was blessed with a strong pair of legs. Which came in handy for his chosen profession - that of alchemy. Earning a living by attracting sponsors to support you in your quest to transmute base metals into gold was not without its risks. Chief amongst which was the anger of disappointed patrons who might run you out of town, or worse, hunt you down, fling you in jail and throw away the key.
Which is why, in 1704, young Johann was running as fast as his legs could carry him, heading south east along the banks of the river Elbe, away from some very angry Berlin sponsors and towards the city of Dresden. Hoping to find at least some peace and quiet and possibly a new patron.
His wish was granted but not quite on the terms he’d have hoped for. He was taken into ‘protective custody’ by Augustus the Strong, Elector of Saxony, King of Poland and – as the name suggests – not someone to trifle with. He was confined to a laboratory under instructions to produce gold in order to help pay for Augustus’s expensive lifestyle; something of a challenge since, like many of his contemporary alchemists, Johann wasn’t making much progress in that direction.
The world of innovation is full of the names of famous partnerships – Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, Bill Hewlett and Ted Packard, Sergey Brin and Larry Page to name but a few. But Bottger and von Tschirnhaus isn’t a combination which springs easily to the lips or off the tongue. Yet it was this unlikely partnership which managed the impossible – between them they were able to transmute base material into weisses Gold - white gold.
Bottger’s story really highlights the risks and dedication involved in pursuing a challenging craft, especially one as unpredictable as alchemy. It’s fascinating how much persistence and strategy were needed just to keep going. On a smaller, modern scale, I found a similar thrill recently with https://plinko.fr/stake. While it’s obviously less life-or-death, there’s a comparable sense of anticipation and small victories that keeps you engaged, and it’s a fun way to practice patience and focus while enjoying a bit of a challenge.
Kalimera from Ioannina—lake glare, strong coffee, crash with auto cash-out locked. A co-worker sent me a link and I gave it a go, opening https://savaspin.com.gr/bonus between emails. Two conservative flights steadied the line; the third drifted over target. Greece’s northwest quiets the brain faster than any mantra. I closed the app, grabbed a pita, and watched reflections instead of lines—better for the heart, honestly.