There were some published literature I read in the 80's regarding the concept of isomerisation processes for ultra purification of certain organic molecules, and the hacking of everyday items, like thick filament indicator light bulbs to use the coils, controlled via readily available hobby train transformers to properly heat said bulb coils and vaporize certain oils for consumption.
The idea of heating a wire coil to vaporize and inhale stuffs was arrived at in different times by different folks for varied purposes.