Historical Chemical Backgrounds

VACATION time frequently presents opportunities to indulge in hobbies otherwise denied us because of a very strenuous schedule. One of the most delightful hobbies for those associated in one way or another with the chemical profession is the study of chemical history. During the past two weeks we have renewed acquaintance with a number of chemical historical reference books accumulating in the editorial conference room. One of the most instructive is Harrow's "Eminent Chemists of Our Time." While the title is now somewhat misleading, since the book was first written in 1920 and a second edition prepared in 1927, the volume in a most entertaining manner reviews the earlier group of outstanding chemists who might well be called the fathers of modern chemistry. One advantage of such a study is to indicate the degree of advancement in the fields of chemistry during the past century. We were immediately impressed with the progress of ...