ISAAC NEWTON (1704)

Although the forces binding atoms together in molecules cannot be properly understood without quantum mechanics, many of these forces are “short range” electrical forces – forces between bodies having overall electrical neutrality, but distorted charge distributions. These forces could definitely be categorized as “electrical Attraction reaching to small distances”.  Notice that Newton also leaves the door open for other short range forces, which were finally discovered in the 1930’s!

Newton goes on to argue that assuming the existence of forces of attraction between particles suggests very natural explanations for various physical chemistry-type phenomena, such as deliquescence, ease of distillation and heat of mixing.