Chemistry Everyday for Everyone
A Chemist’s Gift Guide Ralph Shaw Department of Chemistry, Southeastern Louisiana University 402-SLU, Hammond, LA 70402 Several items used in a general chemistry laboratory can also make original and useful gifts for spouses, relatives, friends, and coworkers. These pieces of equipment would represent articles used by the giver. Wooden test tube racks can be employed in the kitchen to hold various utensils. The light-colored hardwood racks have an attractive appearance that complements most kitchen decor. The racks can also be used in the workroom or shop to hold small items and tools. Mortar and pestles would be appreciated by the gourmet cooks on your list. Their use for grinding in the kitchen duplicates their application in the laboratory. Spatulas and scoops can be employed in the laundry room, garden, and bathroom in addition to the kitchen. The spatula with the spear-point-shaped tip on one end is handy for spearing olives, pickles, and other items in tall, narrow containers. The micro spoon is especially handy for scraping the remnants of mustard, peanut butter, and jelly out of jars. The scoop can be used to excavate small quantities of spices or seasonings from containers. Wide-mouth bottles with ground-glass stoppers make attractive storage vessels with the appearance of apothecary jars. They range in size from one ounce to 32 ounces. Brushes that come in a wide range of sizes and shapes can be employed around the house for many cleaning applications.
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Possible sources of supply for individual items are: Science Kit and Boreal Laboratories 777 East Park Drive Tonawanda, NY 14150-6782 Phone: 800/828-7777; Fax: 716/874-9572 Flinn Scientific Inc. P. O. Box 219 131 Flinn St. Batavia, IL 60510 Phone: 800/452-1261; Fax: 708/879-6962 Nasco 901 Janesville Ave. P.O. Box 901 Fort Atkinson, WI 53538-0901 Phone: 800/558-9595; Fax: 414/563-8296 Carolina Biological Supply Company 2700 York Road Burlington, NC 27215 Phone: 919/584-0381 Other sources for purchases would be chemical supply stores at universities.
Journal of Chemical Education • Vol. 74 No. 12 December 1997
