Today in Technology History
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by e-mail, click here. To read past issues click here.)March 12
On March 12, 1838, William Henry Perkin was born. He discovered the first artificial dye -- and then invented an industry to exploit his discovery.
In college, he showed great promise in the study of chemistry. Perkin was so excited by chemical research that he built a laboratory in his father's house to continue experimenting when school was out of session.
During Easter vacation in 1856, the 18-year-old Perkin made a discovery that changed the world. While experimenting with coal tar in an attempt to synthetically produce quinine (a natural chemical used to treat malaria), Perkin created a strange purple substance. He thought it might be useful as a dye, so he sent a sample to a dyeing firm in Scotland, and received this response: "If your discovery does not make the goods too expensive, it is decidedly one of the most valuable that has come out for a long time."
Perkin patented his dye (after some legal investigation into whether someone so young could obtain a patent) and started a company to produce it in mass quantity. Very soon his synthetic dye was wildly successful. The French called it mauve, and there was such a craze for colored clothing that the period became known as the Mauve Decade, with other colors invented in the following years.
After making his fortune, Perkin sold his factory at age 35 so he could rededicate himself to his life's love, chemical research. He made several other discoveries and received many honors before his death in 1907.
Related links:
Click here to read more about Perkin and his accomplishments.
Click here for a timeline of the history of dyes.
Click here for the Encyclopedia Britannica entry for Perkin.
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