In 1751, the Swedish chemist Johan Gottschalk Wallerius first differentiated between “pure” and “applied” chemistry, a distinction which was quickly adopted by the other branches of science. Behind this was a new scientific concept of chemistry which emphasized the importance of applying chemistry's accumulated knowledge and its capabilities of providing for the general economic benefit. It also provided chemistry with a new position within the hierarchy of the sciences as well as with a new function in society. The reasons behind and causes of the change in scientific perspective associated with this concept point to the social and institutional conditions under which this field has developed into an independent academic discipline.