Accidental Inventions : Synthetic Dye
By AmberLynn
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
United States
February 2, 2021 4:06pm CST
Sort of spinning off from yesterday's post about liquid paper, today's is about synthetic dye.
Now the man was only 18 years old (in 1856) when he came across this happy mistake that propelled him into a new career. William Henry Perkin was attempting to synthesize quinine (for Malaria) which could only be found in the cinchona tree.
His experiment turned a mauve color that he would later manufacture in his own factory.
Above is a picture of him taken four years before he discovered the dye.
*taken from sciencehistory.org
8 people like this
8 responses
@Deepizzaguy (122229)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
2 Feb 21
Thank you for sharing this wonderful story about the discovery of synthetic dye.
2 people like this
@Deepizzaguy (122229)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
3 Feb 21
@ScribbledAdNauseum My pleasure to like your story.
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (209009)
• United States
2 Feb 21
Build a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door
2 people like this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
2 Feb 21
Where have I heard that before?
2 people like this
@kaylachan (84823)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
2 Feb 21
Yet another happy accident. Makes me wonder what was made on purose.
2 people like this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
2 Feb 21
I bet there is very few things ever made on purpose.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
3 Feb 21
How many "happy accidents" like Bob Ross used to say about his paintings.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
4 Feb 21
@LadyDuck I used to watch them all the time.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (502573)
• Italy
4 Feb 21
@ScribbledAdNauseum I love Bob Ross painting lessons.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222527)
• United States
3 Feb 21
Very interesting. Do you know what year this was?
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@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
3 Feb 21
Oh whoops! I meant to add that so thank you for bringing it to my attention.
1856
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@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
3 Feb 21
@LindaOHio Yes, a very long time ago and yet not all that long ago at the same time. Or at least that is how I feel.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222527)
• United States
3 Feb 21
@ScribbledAdNauseum A very long time ago. Thanks.
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@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
2 Feb 21
The science teachers of my youth would be so proud. 
2 people like this
@CarolDM (203396)
• Nashville, Tennessee
2 Feb 21
@ScribbledAdNauseum Yes they would.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
2 Feb 21
@CarolDM Science was my worst and least favorite subject.
1 person likes this
