Distillation apparatus, 18th century. Artwork of the alambic equipment developed by the French chemist Jean-Antoine Chaptal (1756-1832) in 1780. The liquid to be distilled was heated in the alambic vessel (left), the vapour condensed in a cooling system (right), and the distillate then collected through a tap (lower right). The techniques of distillation were advanced in the 18th and 19th century by French distillers and winemakers. Engraving from 'Grands Hommes et Grands Faits de l'Industrie' (Great Men and Great Facts of Industry), published in France circa 1880.