THE CHEMICAL WORLD THIS WEEK
The medal of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists is presented to Eric Kunz, GivaudanDelawanna, Inc.. by society president, E. C. McDonough, Evans Research
Cosmetics M o v e Into Medicinals Field C&EN REPORTS: Society of Cosmetic Chemists, Annual Meeting
American cosmetic industry that domes tically produced aromatics could match the quality of the European products and then make available a comprehensive line of these arom^ics to the industry. Ac cording to Mr. Sagarin, Dr. Kunz was effective in both phases. In the technical program that preceded the medal dinner the cosmetic chemist> were brought up to date on several tech nological developments in their industry. Betty Tarnoff of the R. T. Vanderbilt Co. told them that colloidal magnesium alu minum silicate is a very valuable thicken ing, emulsifying, and suspending agent for cosmetic uses. It is nontoxic, colorless, stable, has a high order of thickening activity, and forms thixotropic rather than irreversable gels. A newly developed quantitative method for evaluating hair shampoos, described by C. Barnett and D. H. Powers of Richard Hudnut Co., revealed that some shampoos removed less soil than clear water. In general, according to these authors, shampoos based on synthetic de tergents removed two to three times as much soil and grease as fatty acid soaps. In the final paper of the program, Earl Graham of the Crown Can Co. advised the cosmetics specialists that pressure packed cosmetics, tliat is aerosols, have advan tages only if this mode of packaging has some functional purpose rather than mere gadget appeal. In other cases the neces sity of reformulating the products in terms of sprayability, miscibility, and corrosion problems make such packaging inadvis able.
NEW YORK.—Cosmetics in the future ". . . the one man. . .who made the great will increasingly assume the function of est contributions to the growth and de preventive medicine in addition to their velopment of synthetic aromatics in present aim of beautifying the human America." To make these contributions, body, according to Eric Kunz, who spoke the medalist had first to convince the in acceptance of the medal of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists on Dec. 5. Dr. Kunz, president of Civaudan-Delawaima, Inc., was honored in part for his dis covery of the first bactericidal agent which retained its activity in the presence of soap and permitted a major advance in the direction of biologically active cos metics. Beauty and health are essentially C&EN REPORTS: Toilet Goods Association Symposium on Olfaction synonymous, according to the medalist, and the cosmetic industry must recognize NEW YORK.—The burden of a sympo ranges; atmospheric and physiological its responsibility for increasing the resist sium on olfaction, sponsored by the Toilet conditions connected with odor receptiv ity; a cataloging and classification of odors ance of the skin to penetrating as well as Goods Association, seemed to be that surface infection. smell is the least understood of the senses. according to specific properties and quali In eulogizing Dr. Kunz, Valentine Five participants in the symposium, pre ties; and a study of adaptation, after Fischer of Dodge and Olcott, speaking for sented on Dec. 6, agreed that contribu effects, additive effects in mixtures, affec the cosmetics industry, commended Dr. tions to the science of olfaction had been tive reactions, and the search for an "in Kunz on his lifelong habit of vigorous but negligible. In the words of Dean Foster, adequate stimulus" (olfactory response stringently ethical competition. He also psychologist and olfactory specialist of by mechanical or electrical stimulus). The practical side of olfactometry was characterized the medalist as one of the Joseph E. Seagram & Sons, the smell motivating forces of the Essential Oil As stimulus is not understood, and there is a presented by Bernice Wenzel of Barnard College. The value of knowing the na shortage of factual information. sociation. Foster proposed a 12-point program for ture of a stimulus, and the knowledge of The second speaker, Edward Sagarin threshold values for a large number of of Dr. Kunz' own company, reviewed *:he future pathways of olfactory research, ir. career of the medalist. He pointed out volving both the problem and proposed materials bring an economic advantage. that at the time of Dr. Kunz' arrival in method of solution. His program called For example, in the use of deodorants, the this country shortly before *j\ * first for an analysis of properties possessed material with low threshold may be in world war, the technological situation by odorous compounds vs. properties of corporated in smaller quantities. Dr. Wenzel also described product was exactly reversed from that pertaining nonodorous compounds; properties re today. At that time the American chemi sponsible for odor intensities; discovery evaluation to eliminate a personal odor. cal industry was being built up almost of a finite number of primary odors, Researchers used natural conditions and exclusively on the basis of technical knowl coupled with investigations of odor com scientific methods. They also used a edge and personnel imported from pounding; determination of the con variety of evaluation methods and em Europe. He credited Dr. Kunz with being stancy of odor patterns over intensity ployed controls.
Route M a p p e d for Future Odor Research
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THE CHEMICAL WORLD THIS WEEK
"Clinical Pathologist" Defined by Association
The Cover . . .
Eric Kunz Taught Manufacturers To M a k e Products Smell Sweet WE
HAVE it on high authority that a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. However, if this magazine, the paint on your walls, or even your newest girdle smell sweeter than they have in years past, it is largely d u e to the chemical, administrative, and organizational talents of one man. And while we are passing the plaudits w e can present a few more to the same chemist for germicidal soaps, oxygenstable cosmetic creams, and the whole family of aldehyde perfumes. In 1915, when 31-year-old Eric Kuw/ landed for the first time in New York City, the I'nited States had almost no synthetic organic chemical industry. In fact, this country, with a reputation for industrial skill which was already legendary a n d a fabulous store of natural resources, could only be' classified at that time as a backward nation in things chemical. Dr. Kunz, on t h e other hand, was already an established and accomplished chemist. His training at the Polytechnic Institute of Zurich and the University of Zurich had been sound and extensive. Furthermore, he had h a d six years of experience in the European dyestufis and synthetic perfumery industry, five of them with the young, but aggressive L. Givaudan & Cie. organization at Geneva, Switzerland. However, the young Swiss chemist was undaunted by the apparent lack of opportunity for a chemist in this country in 1915. In fact, he foresaw the inevitable development of the primitive American chemical industry and realized that it would provide infinitely more opportunity for an industrial chemist than the more stable industries of his native Switzerland or neighboring Germany. World W a r I forced that development sooner than even Dr. Kunz could have foreseen. However, with typical resourcefulness he associated himself with the United Piece Dyeworks of Lodi, N. J., and almost immediately started that company on the manufact u r e of synthetic dyestufis and phosgene, then valued only as a dye intermediate. With the introduction of chemical warfare, phosgene assumed a new importance and Dr. Kunz collaborated with the Army Chemical Corps on the military use of the gas. At the end of the war United Piece Dyeworks was the largest manufacturer
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of certain dyestufis in this country but since the company was interested primarily in silk printing and dyeing they decided, at Dr. Kunz' suggestion, to sell their dye manufacturing departments, a n d Dr. Kunz, to Du Pont. Switches Senses In 1925, Dr. Kunz switched senses. He transferred his field of activity from the production of colors to please the eye, to t h e preparation ol aromas to please t h e nose. L. Givaudan & Cie., looking for an American resident manager asked him to accept the position ot executive vice president of their American operations. He did and in that position, and later as president, built the American Givaudan operation into the producer of t h e largest line of aromatic chemicals in the country. Dr. Kunz' contributions to that growth have been both scientific and administrative. He developed a mixture of isopropyl esters of myristic and palmitic acids, which closely approaches the composition of human body fat and overcomes the rancidity of vegetable fats and the solvent action of petroleum products, as a cosmetic base. He made cetyl alcohol available to the cosmetic industry by providing it in a highly purified form. He found that thymol and similar type compounds could b e used to stabilize fatty acids. T h e list is long. Dissatisfied with the limits of the cosmetic market, Dr. Kunz decided that "everything should smell nice" and set out to convert American industry to his point of view. T h e long list of noncosmetic manufacturers in Givaudan's account books gives testimony to the success of Kunz' educational program. Last year Dr. Kunz retired from active participation in the management of the Givaudan organization. He keeps telling people that h e is retired because otherwise they would never know. Theoretically, he is now spending most of his time on a dairy farm near Asheville, N. C. Although now an American citizen, he retains a sentimental attachment for his native Switzerland and has been active in the affairs of the American Swiss colony. However, he has had to settle for a Holstein herd on his farm because he has found to his regret that there is no Swiss bull available within a reasonable distance of his farm site.
CHEMICAL
In an effort to establish a clear-cut definition of the role and responsibilities held by clinical pathologists who run laboratory tests for interpretation by physicians, the Board of Directors of the National Association of Clinical Laboratories has recently issued a statement of policy clarifying its stand. The statement draws a clear line of distinction between two separate functions: conducting clinical tests in the laboratory—which is rightly the role of a clinical pathologist; and interpreting the results of such tests—which is the responsibility of t h e medical consultant in t h e case. Confusion on t h e part of the general public between these two separate hmctions has, the association believes, "resulted in eliminating from clinical laboratories some highly qualified scientists whose services are sorely needed in this demanding field." To help clinical practitioners make sure that the laboratories responsible for the reports on which they rely are directed by qualified personnel, t h e association's board has set the following qualifications: " T h e director of a public health laboratory (as defined in this report) should possess those qualities of personality and character necessary to ensure the honest and successful prosecution of scientific work. He should have an educational background in the biologic sciences at least equivalent to t h e requirement for a doctorate in biologic science, public health, or medicine. "In addition he should have five years' postgraduate practical experience and training in a laboratory of such size that experience may be obtained in the various biological sciences applicable to health and sanitary problems. Not less than two of these five years should have been devoted to training in general and special laboratory techniques applicable to recognition of disease in the human family a r d in health and sanitary problems." He should also have "at least two years' administrative experience in a properly directed public health laboratory of such size that experience in the coordination of various laboratory functions may b e obtained." These qualifications are essentially the same as those recommended by the American Public Health Association for Public Health laboratory directors, the association says.
Gold Sentenced to 30 Years In Atomic Spy Case Harry Gold, who admitted working for a Soviet atomic spy ring during World War II, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison by a Philadelphia court. Gold's sentence is the maximum allowed by law,
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THE CHEMICAL WORLD THIS WEEK short of the death penalty, and was im posed "to deter others" w h o might con sider following in Gold's footsteps, sen tencing judge, James P. MeGranery, said. Attorneys for the sentenced m a n said they would make no attempt to file an appeal. Gold heard the sentence impas sively. He had said that he considered his trial "most scrupulously fair.*' He added: "Most certainly that never could have h a p p e n e d in t h e Soviet Union or any of the countries dominated by it." Gold was accused of having been a "go-between" in prewar years for Rus sian agents, and he admitted that during World W a r II he had turned over to Soviet agents defense secrets and data on atomic research obtained by Klaus Fuchs, now servin to a 14-year term in a British prison.
Brush Buys Faxfilm, Surface Measurement Firm Brush Development Co., Cleveland. Ohio, announces that it has purchased the business of the Faxfilm Co., of t h e same city, thus expanding their line of surface measuring instruments. Faxhlm's process makes a n exact re verse replica of a surface in a clear plas tic, projection of which in a micro-pro jector provides a magnified picture of the surface with a three-dimensional effect. Brush's announcement says. The process. Brush adds, has been used successfully in crime detection, medical research, metallographic work a n d other surface measure ment fields to obtain information such as surface roughness, grain, lay, tear, poros ity, and chatter.
G a s Utilities Sales Sales of gas by utilities to ultimate customers in September showed t h e same trend as has b e e n evident in the past sev eral months. Total sales foi the month w e r e u p 6.7% over the sam-e month last year, while natural gas sales and mixed gas sales also showed increases. Total sales of manufactured gas showed a 9.47r decrease over September 194Θ. Sales for the twelve months ended Sept. 30, 1950, showed increases all around, with manufactured gas holding a small 0.2% margin over t h e number of therms sold in the same period a year earlier. Total gas sales gained 14.49k, natural gas sales 15.7%, a n d mixed gas sales 4 . 3 % , for the year ended Sept. 3 0 , 1950, over n u m b e r of therms sold the previous year.
18 representatives of the French nitrogen fertilizer industry, 14 representatives of France's metal farming industry, and Austria's top two experts in wood chem istry. Itineraries of these two groups are tak ing them inside American factories and industrial plants for a look at our ways of doing things with an eye to increasing their own productivity a n d improving production methods in their home indus tries. T h e majority of these foreign visi tors have come under t h e auspices of the Economic Cooperation Administration in connection with its technical assistance program. American industry has given them a warm reception as the various groups travel around the country to visit those spots most likely to give them a bird's-^ye view of American industrial methods. P"or example, the trip scheduled for the two Austrian wood chemists will take them to ten or so Washington and Oregon paper and forest products plants, including ii visit to the department of chemical en gineering at t h e University of Washington at Seattle. Three Wisconsin paper com panies, and the forest products labora tory' in Madison are on the schedule. The group will conclude its tour of north western plants by attending the three-day meeting of the Institute of Paper Chem istry to be held at Appleton, Wis., Dec. 26 through 29. As a result of its tour, the French nitrogen fertilizer industry experts hope to take home with them advanced tech nical knowledge which will enable French plants to produce more nitrogen at re duced costs. Greater efficiency in nitro gen production would lessen France's need for importing this commodity. Eleven plants are on t h e itinerary for this group, including nitrogen fertilizer and coke by products facilities in Alabama, Tennessee, Texas, Arkansas, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and N e w Jersey. The group will also consult with t h e American Plant Food Association, t h e National Fertilizer As sociation, American Coke and Coal Chemi cals Institute, and other similar organiza tions. British pharmacists have been received
by Winthrop-Stearns C o . a n d S h a r p & Dohme, Inc., whose plant t h e y visited as part of their tour of U. S. d r u g manufac turing industries. A m o n g other companies who have opened their doors to European visiting teams within recent weeks are Standard Oil Co. ( N e w J e r s e y ) , Hercules Powder, and American Cyanamid Co.
National Gypsum Plans Oklahoma Paper Plant T h e National G y p s u m Co. is expected to start construction soon o n a paper mill on t h e site of the w a r t i m e Oklahoma Ord nance Works near Pryor, Okla. The com pany has purchased approximately 40 acres of land from t h e government, and it is reported that the cost of the new plant a n d equipment will he approximately $4 million. National G y p s u m will utilize waste paper obtained largely from the area in making paper stock for its gyp sum wallboard production in wlher cornpan}' plants in the west and southwest.
First Lignite L a b o r a t o r y Ready f o r Research A new $750,000 laboratory at Grand Forks, N. D., first to b e built exclusively for lignite research, is c o m p l e t e and ready for occupancy, t h e Bureau of Mines an nounces. Research in t h e n e w laboratory, attached to which is a utilitarian pilot plant, will include studies in preparing a n d drying lignite—a l o w - g r a d e coal with high moisture content. The building includes in addition to the pilot plant, 27 individual laboratories and six administrative offices. It is the hope of t h e laboratory to de velop effective ways of steam-drying lig nite to upgrade t h e p r o d u c t s and expand t h e commercial market for lignite. T h e great d e m a n d for dried lignite is expected to come from n e w power plants in the upper midwest, officials expect. The three-story pilot plant has struc tural steel framing, cement-block walls, and a steel-deck roof. The new facilities a r e located on 11 acres of l a n d just east of the main campus of the University of North Dakota.
Lignite research laboratory of the U. S. Bureau of Mines a t G r a n d Forks, N . D. 3 showing three-story pilot plant a t left
European Industrial Experts Study U. S. Know-How Among the numerous groups o f scien tists and technical experts from European countries who are visiting the United States to study this country's production techniques and methods are 14 represen tatives of the D u t c h pre-cast concrete industry, ten members of a United King dom pharmaceutical productivity team,
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