Jabir Ibn Hayyan was an 8th century Persian scientist known as the founder of modern chemistry. He made breakthroughs in alchemy and invented distillation equipment that advanced the field. Some of his key inventions and discoveries included the alembic still, hydrochloric acid, and aqua regia. He observed chemical processes like crystallization and proposed early concepts of atomic theory. Although his works were translated in the Middle Ages, many of his ideas were later claimed by European scientists without attribution. Jabir is regarded as one of the most influential scientists in history for his contributions to the foundations of chemistry.