The German chemist Franz von Soxhlet modifies the kerotakis, an alchemical device attributed to Mary the Jewess, to create the Soxhlet extractor, an apparatus widely used for extracting lipids from a solid material. This date marks a significant moment in the evolution of laboratory equipment, tracing back to the innovations of an early alchemist. Soxhlet's modification allowed for continuous extraction, improving the efficiency of lipid extraction processes.