Out of the Depths: Synthetic Colors From the Coal Tar Industry

Abstract

Surprisingly, in 1856, another accident set in motion the rise of the synthetic dye industry which, as it advanced, mowed down ages-old natural dye traditions and industries in its path. National rivalries culminated in Germany's hegemony in terms of chemical expertise, academic excellence, industrial-academic ties and favorable patent rights by the end of the 19th century. Based on its virtual monopoly on chemical know-how, Germany's ability to become a gigantic war machine wrote the history of most of the 20th century. But out of the thousands of new dyes and colors generated during this tumultuous time, hundreds found their way onto the palettes of the artists of a maturing new school.