Chemicals, Their Element Names, and Their Place ... - ACS Publications

Downloaded by UNIV LAVAL on May 14, 2018 | https://pubs.acs.org Publication Date (Web): October 30, 2017 | doi: 10.1021/bk-2017-1263.ch011

Chapter 11

Chemicals, Their Element Names, and Their Place in Society. Also Known as “Why Did I Choose To Name My Organization Palladium Science Academy?” George W. Ruger Jr.* Founder, Palladium Science Academy, Modena, New York 12548, United States *E-mail: [email protected].

While contemplating names for my new start-up company, Palladium Science Academy, I considered my connection to Green Chemistry education along with my enthusiasm for inspiring children and adults to learn more about science. Over the years, some historical practices such as alchemy and more recent trends such as Chemical-Free marketing helped shape my view of the public perception of chemistry. Sometimes that perception is accurate, but other times — such as with Chemical-Free marketing — it is not. Palladium Science Academy was created to promote valuable education while being entertaining at the same time. A fast journey of scientific topics of interest will be presented.

© 2017 American Chemical Society Benvenuto and Williamson; Elements Old and New: Discoveries, Developments, Challenges, and Environmental Implications ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2017.


Introduction and Historical Perspective Throughout history, people have been inspired to learn about the world around us. We have studied nature, the stars, our fellow man, anything that would-be scientists and philosophers thought might help to explain who we are and what are we doing in the universe. I will focus on two examples that help to showcase how we have arrived at our understanding of the sciences. First we will be given a brief view of alchemy, as told through art and a historical perspective provided by the Chemical Heritage Foundation (CHF) in Philadelphia, PA. This will be followed by a review of chemistry sets available over the decades, which are now in CHF’s archives. Attending their facility at my first ACS National Meeting in 2008, I have gained an appreciation for many historical aspects of the sciences that are often overlooked in today’s textbooks. Alchemy as a science is often unappreciated. Traditionally, we think of alchemists as people who searched for a way to turn lead into gold, or other experiments that seem unrealistic. Alchemy was not historically considered a true science by many, and even today it is mostly overlooked. Artists and poets created works of art around alchemists and their laboratories, although unfortunately, these were not always the most flattering portrayals. In Figure 1, Rijcke-Armoede (Rich Poverty) shows an alchemist toiling away in his lab, while his family in the background looks quite distraught. From the title and the objects in the picture, the artist appears to convey that the alchemist is neglecting his family.

Figure 1. Rijcke-Armoede (Rich Poverty) 1632 Adriaen van de Venne. Courtesy of Fisher Scientific International, Chemical Heritage Foundation Collections. 204 Benvenuto and Williamson; Elements Old and New: Discoveries, Developments, Challenges, and Environmental Implications ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2017.


Figure 2 is The Bald Alchemist with His Assistant 17th century. Caption provided by Chemical Heritage Foundation “The Bald Headed Alchemist, after David Teniers II, 17th century, oil on panel. The subject of this painting is an elderly alchemist at his furnace stirring a mixture in a crucible while also reading a manuscript. His young assistant patiently awaits further instructions while squeezing the bellows to keep the fire burning. The tools alchemists needed to experiment are depicted, from alchemical glassware and distillation apparatus to manuscripts.” In Figure 3, An Alchemist and His Laboratory, late 17th century, we see an alchemist looking over a manuscript and taking notes. The laboratory appears well maintained. The table is tidy. The objects on the back shelf are organized. There is a skull on the table and what appears to be an animal cage hanging in the background. Some artwork of this era features biology elements such as these.

Figure 2. The Bald Alchemist with his Assistant, 17th Century. After David Teniers II. Courtesy of Fisher Scientific International, Chemical Heritage Foundation Collections. 205 Benvenuto and Williamson; Elements Old and New: Discoveries, Developments, Challenges, and Environmental Implications ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2017.


Figure 3. An Alchemist in His Laboratory, late 17th Century. Follower of Gerard Dou. Gift of Roy Eddleman, Chemical Heritage Foundation Collections.

In Figure 4, An Alchemist At Work, 17th century, the artist paints a very different picture. We still see a manuscript and items used by an alchemist, including clay pots and other apparatus. However, the artist also depicts broken clay pot pieces. Items are piled up on the floor and even the shelves are not well kept. As are many pieces of artwork of this period, the alchemists are showed in a poor light. They are seen as not well organized and they are often depicted as being poor. Some artwork shows straw laying around the laboratories along with many pieces of broken equipment, symbolizing poverty. 206 Benvenuto and Williamson; Elements Old and New: Discoveries, Developments, Challenges, and Environmental Implications ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2017.


Figure 4. An Alchemist at Work, 17th century. Mattheus van Helmont, Flemish. Gift of Roy Eddleman Chemical Heritage Foundation Collections.

While alchemy may not have achieved its goal of turning base metals into something valuable such as gold, there were a number of positive accomplishments. The way that the alchemists attempted to carefully study their materials and take intricate notes can be seen as the beginning of the way that scientists still work today. Documentation and replication of experiments are seen as vital to the work of modern science. These traits can be seen in the texts and even the artwork of the period. Without these humble beginnings, the current scientific process might never have taken shape. Another factor shaping our view of chemistry over the decades can be seen in the toys made available to the public by various corporations. By focusing on chemistry sets made available between 1920 and 1980, we can see a shift in how chemistry was viewed both as a science and what a scientist looked like. The collection photographed here, along with others, are on display at the Chemical Heritage Foundation in Philadelphia. 207

Benvenuto and Williamson; Elements Old and New: Discoveries, Developments, Challenges, and Environmental Implications ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2017.


In Figure 5, a chemistry set from The Porter Chemical Company, we see a family around a table. The kids are performing various experiments while the parents are observing. On the box, it states that there are no dangerous chemicals in the kit. As we know from reviewing the types of materials that were in the kits of this era, this was not always the case. Some chemistry sets did contain materials that would not be considered safe by today’s standards. Sodium ferrocyanide was used to create Prussian blue dye, but is slightly toxic and no longer used. Potassium nitrate was included in some sets, which could be used to make smoke bombs.

Figure 5. Chemcraft No. 1 “Chemical Outfit” set, ca 1928:. Courtesy of Chemical Heritage Foundation Collections.

Chemistry was more than just a way for kids to pass the time. Chemistry kits were seen as a path to a career in chemistry. “Coming out of the Depression, that was a message that would resonate with a lot of parents who wanted their children to not only have a job that would make them money but to have a career that was stable. And if they could make the world a better place along the way, then even better,” says Rosie Cook, registrar and assistant curator at the Chemical Heritage Foundation in Philadelphia (1). 208 Benvenuto and Williamson; Elements Old and New: Discoveries, Developments, Challenges, and Environmental Implications ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2017.


In Figure 6, the Porter Chemcraft set shows a number of bottles containing stock chemicals. There is also a scale and some test tubes along with some instruments for transferring materials. One of the booklets inside relates to outer space. During this time period, the space race was on. There was a large amount of interest in being the first country to make it into outer space, land on the moon, and explore the solar system. This was an excellent opportunity for toy manufacturers to market materials while also encouraging learning about different scientific fields.

Figure 6. Porter Chemcraft Senior Set No. 6105 (Interior) ca. 1957:. Courtesy of Chemical Heritage Foundation Collections.

In Figure 7, the Gilbert Lab Technician Set for Girls, ca. 1958, prominently shows a girl using a microscope, with a mother figure observing. Not shown here is the Gilbert Chemistry Set for Boys as the picture is not available. Here we see a differentiation between the kit marketed for boys and a separate set marketed for girls. This is a whole other topic which will not be discussed here. 209 Benvenuto and Williamson; Elements Old and New: Discoveries, Developments, Challenges, and Environmental Implications ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2017.


Figure 7. Gilbert Lab Technician Set for Girls, 1958:. Courtesy of Chemical Heritage Foundation Collections.

In Figure 8, Mr. Wizard’s Experiments in Chemistry Set was marketed by a popular TV show at the time, watched by many children, including myself. Seen in the picture are several stock chemicals and basic scientific equipment found in earlier chemistry sets to allow the user to transfer materials and to observe those materials in a beaker or test tubes.

Figure 8. Mr. Wizard’s Experiments in Chemistry Set, ca. 1973:. Courtesy of Chemical Heritage Foundation Collections. 210 Benvenuto and Williamson; Elements Old and New: Discoveries, Developments, Challenges, and Environmental Implications ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2017.

More recent chemistry sets have unfortunately been more reading-based and less hands-on chemistry based. This has been one of the reasons why the exhibit at the Chemical Heritage Foundation has been so popular. It is also one of the reasons why individuals and organizations in the general public have such a difficult task in relating the sciences, and chemistry in particular, to younger generations. Over the years, kids are being exposed to fewer opportunities to explore the world around them from a scientific point of view. That opportunity is being replaced with more readily available information, but the hands-on experience is lacking for many children and even adults.


Current Trends in the Perception of Chemistry Decades ago, the chemistry community was considered highly valuable along with other branches of STEM, even though that term was not yet in use. Dupont’s slogan starting in the 1930’s was “Better Things for Better Living, Through Chemistry.” Products were being developed, and the consumer had many more choices each year as companies strived to fill store shelves with new and innovative products. Many chemical companies such as Dow and BASF began to flourish. These companies continue to lead industry today. In addition to direct chemical companies, other industries were able to benefit from novel products based on chemistry. The automobile industry still continues to use the most efficient materials available. By using plastics instead of metals in some parts of automobile construction, the weight of the vehicle was able to be reduced, yielding a large cost savings to the company and a more economical vehicle for the consumer. Even things that are often overlooked, such as the paints and pigments used in auto construction have changed drastically over the years. The airline industry was able to benefit as well, as lighter weight planes are more fuel efficient which reduces cost. Even credit cards tried to cash in on the positive perception of chemistry. Taking the names of precious metals, different card options were made available. Gold cards were offered as a way for them to try to entice “better customers” to sign up with them. These “better customers” could receive higher credit limits and lower interest rates than their average customer. The Gold Card name was proudly displayed on these credit cards. Over time, Platinum cards and even Titanium cards have been issued. Credit card issuers tried to one-up each other until these names lost their value along the way. Over time, the pendulum has swung back around, and chemistry has received a negative perception in some circles. The public perception has changed to unfavorably view chemistry due in part to campaigns such as Chemical-Free (2). The concept of Chemical-Free is a marketing campaign where companies advertise that their products do not contain any chemicals. Many indicate that their products contain natural products, but no chemicals. Even someone with only a basic knowledge of chemistry knows that chemicals comprise almost everything that surrounds us. This certainly includes all the products on store shelves. The marketing plan was genius, as people embraced the idea of purchasing materials without chemicals in them and sought out items which made that claim on the 211 Benvenuto and Williamson; Elements Old and New: Discoveries, Developments, Challenges, and Environmental Implications ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2017.


front of their labels. However, as required by law, on the back label of many products on store shelves, a list of ingredients indicates that those products are in fact made up of chemicals. The campaign unfortunately made many people become weary of chemicals. This negative public perception sometimes even applies to those who work in the scientific field. The Chemical-Free sentiment may have been better served if there was a focus on accuracy. For instance, if the intention was to say that the products in question were pesticide-free or carcinogen-free, then the label could be verified. Those items might even stand out on the shelf against their counterparts, assuming those counterparts did in fact contain amounts of pesticides or carcinogens. However, linking “chemicals” to things that are bad in marketing campaigns had a negative effect on the perception of chemistry in general. In addition, some materials are sold that are intentionally filled with pesticides, including items designed to help protect crops in the field. In these cases, the products need to be able to perform the functions that they are claiming on the label. The same can be said for carcinogens or other categories of chemicals. My own journey on the Anti-Chemical Free crusade began while reading C&EN articles (3) and Twitter posts on the topic. As a starting point, former C&EN reporter Carmen Drahl and I asked our Twitter followers to send us pictures of products that were sold using a Chemical-Free label on the front and a second picture showing the ingredient listing on the back of the label. We received pictures of sunscreens, organic fertilizers, even shopping bags, among others. One clever person even posted a picture of a vacuum cleaner. We co-authored a poster on the topic at the ACS meeting in Philadelphia August 2012. The poster received a lot of attention and comments. Unfortunately, our audience at the meeting were other scientists who know the benefit of chemistry to our lives. A better target audience would have been the general public, and I saw it as my mission to share this information. In order to promote the importance and value of chemistry to the general public, 2011 was declared the International Year of Chemistry (IYC) (4). Celebrations were scheduled around the United States and the world to showcase the positive role that chemistry has in the lives of ordinary citizens. As ACS Mid-Hudson Local Section Chair in 2011, I was able to organize events during IYC. Perhaps the program that stood out the most in my area was a collaboration with the local baseball team, the Hudson Valley Renegades. I have hosted events with them over the years, bringing science or engineering activities assisted by some local engineering students from West Point Military Academy. During games in the 2011 season, the Renegades handed out 2000 baseball cards to fans with a flashback player on the front and information about a non-profit on the back. Two of those games featured the ACS Mid-Hudson Local Section with a logo and website information, plus some basic facts about ACS. During one of those games, I was invited to give a pre-game interview which appeared on the jumbotron and a local sports channel, as well as the opportunity to throw out the first pitch. Figure 9 shows me before taking the field. My chemistry skills are far better than my athletic skills. However, the interview went well and was redistributed online over Facebook and Twitter. Positive feedback was received 212



and the interview was even noted in a committee report by the ACS Committee on Public Relations and Communications by staff member Nancy Blunt.

Figure 9. First Pitch before Renegades home game.

My Why: The Reason I Got Started and Why I Chose Palladium The largest driving force behind why I continue to conduct my science outreach activities is my belief that chemistry can be the answer to many of our challenges in society. Although it can be argued that the implementation of chemistry also has its share of blame in leading to accidents and pollution, if we look to move forward and look for better ways to use chemistry to our advantage, then chemistry needs to be a part of the solution. As I discovered Green Chemistry, complete with the 12 Principles (5), I learned that chemistry can be made inherently safer. As John Warner, one of the co-founders of Green Chemistry, has stated numerous times in lectures across the country, “A molecule is just a molecule. It is not inherently good or evil.” With this way of thinking, scientists can search for ways to create new products and new ways of understanding the mechanisms of reactions while at the same time take into account safety and minimizing risk. This way of thinking truly does make chemistry work for the people. 213



Over the years, as I searched for new and interesting ways to engage students and the public in general, I discovered many resources that Beyond Benign (6) has to offer. Beyond Benign was co-founded by John Warner and Amy Cannon. They have information and lab-based activities for K-12, college level, academics, and industry. Many science professionals have used their materials to educate students and the general public about greener lab practices. In addition, actions such as thinking critically about solving potential problems before they start, or improving products in the pipeline are major components of the concepts behind the Principles of Green Chemistry. There came a point in time when I wanted to go beyond just doing a few ACS-inspired outreach activities. I wanted to see how much I could accomplish by jumping into the field and promoting myself among others who were introducing science activities with kids. To do so, I was going to have to separate myself from everyone else, or I was just going to be lost in the crowd. A proper name would certainly go a long way toward accomplishing my goal. As I started to think about possible names, I wanted to embrace the essence of what I was trying to do. Something involving Green Chemistry should be in there somewhere, since as time went on I was incorporating more green activities into my roster. However, “Green Science” seemed a little too simplistic. As names bounced around in my head, element names started to pop up. Combining elements and Green Chemistry, there was a concept to help narrow down the choice: the use of catalysts. Many catalysts are used in chemical reactions to help speed up the reaction. Upon looking at possible names, one stood out. There was palladium, an element used quite often in literature. Palladium is useful as a catalyst in part because its properties are similar to platinum, located in the same column on the Periodic Table. It is also less expensive than platinum. A useful element, recognized catalyst, represented in the literature, it seemed like a great choice. Shortly after this revelation, Palladium Science Academy became an official entity, after paying a small fee at the County Clerk’s office. With a new name, new branding, and a renewed sense of purpose, I started marketing my new organization, Palladium Science Academy. Scientists thought it was great! Vendors thought I was interested in or used palladium, and wanted to sell me their stock containing the metal. The public, well, many did not quite understand the symbolism, and several could not pronounce the word palladium. So it was a bit of an uphill battle from the beginning. Recognizing the opportunity and challenge, I began my mission of spreading the word about the great possibilities of the sciences, while helping people pronounce palladium. Figure 10 shows my banner outside one of my first events, in New Paltz, NY. Building on my network of organizations with an interest in educating or entertaining children, I began working with schools, libraries, and summer camps. From young children in preschools up through high school students, Palladium Science Academy has something for everyone. It is always a challenge to come up with new and innovative ideas. Technology changes and people’s expectations change at a similar pace. While there are activities that might have seemed engaging twenty years ago, today if kids have already seen them on the internet several times, those same activities are no longer able to captivate their interest. Simple things like mixing Mentos and Diet Coke are still a hit because of the 214



mess factor. Many kids have already seen this activity but they are willing to watch it over and over again because of the messy reaction.

Figure 10. Banner for Palladium Science Academy outside an event.

Some of the most meaningful work that I have been doing with science outreach has involved middle school and high school students. To show them potential career options, I have participated for a number of years with the local Mid-Hudson branch of the American Society of Civil Engineers in the Hudson Valley of New York, where a number of volunteers teach math classes at Cornwall High School for a day. During the class period, we show the students what we do for a living. Most show engineering concepts and designs as the group is made up primarily of civil engineers with a few other types of engineers mixed in. For my part, I show the students a little bit of what it means to be a chemist. I demonstrate some chemical reactions, such as acid-base chemistry with indicator solutions that change color depending on the pH of the different materials. Since the main goal of this yearly project is to show students the relevance of what they are learning in math class is to a career, I share some simple calculations that an analytical chemist might use. 215



Conclusion In addition to bringing science to the public through various outreach and educational opportunities, I have also been fortunate enough to be able to publish articles or be featured in several publications. A full page article was written on Palladium Science Academy for the Times Herald Record (7) which also printed a few additional comments and photos from events at the Dutchess County Chamber of Commerce Expo in 2014. Events relevant to the outreach activities that I have participated in have been posted to the blog The Analyzer Source. As part of an ongoing project, I have written articles that focus on STEM events for Happy Hudson Valley, an online news source that focuses on positive newsworthy events in the Hudson Valley, NY. I have covered topics including an annual Pi Day article (8), events in the science and engineering fields, mostly focused on children learning about new activities, and some general interest stories. This is perhaps the best way that I have succeeded in bringing chemistry to the people. Over time, perhaps the public will even become more knowledgeable of the Periodic Table.

References 1.

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Zielinski, S. The rise and fall and rise of the chemistry set. The Smithsonian. http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-rise-and-fall-and-riseof-the-chemistry-set-70359831/ (accessed March 18, 2017). Drahl, C. Hey Burt’s Bees, Who’re You Callin’ Ugly? Chemical & Engineering News. http://cenblog.org/2008/10/hey-burts-bees-whore-youcallin-ugly/ (accessed September 28, 2017). Drahl, C. Wiping “chemical-free” off the marketing map. https://storify.com/ carmendrahl/shaming-chemicalfree (accessed March 18, 2017). United Nations. Celebrating the International Year of Chemistry. http:// www.un.org/en/events/chemistry2011/index.shtml (accessed September 25, 2017). American Chemical Society page adapted by Paul Anastas and John Warner. https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/greenchemistry/what-is-greenchemistry/principles/12-principles-of-green-chemistry.html (accessed March 15, 2017). Beyond Benign. http://www.beyondbenign.org/ (accessed March 15, 2017). Walsh, J. Mad Scientist spreads the gospel of chemistry. The Times Herald Record. http://www.recordonline.com/article/20141025/NEWS/141029595 (accessed March 18, 2017). Ruger, G. Yes you still need to know this. Engineering Day brings real life application to the classroom. Happy Hudson Valley. http:// www.happyhudsonvalley.com/news/yes-you-still-need-know-engineeringday-brings-real-life-application-classroom (accessed March 18, 2017).

216 Benvenuto and Williamson; Elements Old and New: Discoveries, Developments, Challenges, and Environmental Implications ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2017.

Chemicals, Their Element Names, and Their Place ... - ACS Publications

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