(1728-99)

Joseph Black was best known for his discovery and isolation of the gas, carbon dioxide. During the series of experiments, Black worked to disprove the theory of "phlogiston." (See also: Stahl) Black taught at the University of Glasgow, Scotland, and had a laboratory and number of students who worked on another of Black's interests, the study of "steam." One of his more famous pupils was James Watt, who later went on to put all of Black's ideas about steam research to good use by making improvements in the early steam engine.