A NATIONAL HISTORIC CHEMICAL LANDMARK
THE CHANDLER CHEMISTRY LABORATORY LEHIGH UNIVERSITY BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA
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AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY D i v i s i o n o f the H i s t o r y o f C h e m i s t r y and T h e Office o f P u b l i c O u t r e a c h
T h i s booklet commemorates the designation of the William H . Chandler Chemistry Laboratory at Lehigh University as a National Historic Chemical Landmark. T h e designation was conferred by the American Chemical Society ( A C S ) , a non-profit scientific and educational organization of nearly 150,000 chemists and chemical engineers. T h e William H . Chandler Chemistry Laboratory is centrally located on the South Mountain campus of Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Lehigh University, a private coeducational graduate-undergraduate university, was established in 1865 by a major gift from A s a Packer, founder and major stockholder of the Lehigh Valley Railroad. A plaque marking the A C S designation was Southwest view of the Laboratory. The individual chimneys provide exhaust for laboratory air.
presented to the University on March 26, 1994. T h e inscription reads: "William Henry Chandler (1841-1906)—professor, chairman, librarian, and acting president of Lehigh University—conceived and planned this laboratory. Designed by Philadelphia architect Addison Hutton and erected in 1884-85 at a cost of $200,000, the structure contained such novel features as steam-heated reaction baths, heated chimneys as exhaust hoods, a teaching museum, modular benches, transomregulated ventilation, vertical service chases, and below-ground storage for fuel, ashes, and chemicals. Awarded a design prize at the 1889 Paris International Exposition, the building set the standard for laboratory construction for the next half century. T h e Lehigh Valley Section of the American Chemical Society was organized here on February 15, 1894."
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The American Chemical Society gratefully acknowledges the assistance of the scientists and historians who helped us to prepare this booklet, including: Jeffrey L. Sturchio of Merck & Co., Inc., Chairman of the ACS Advisory Committee on National Historic Chemical Landmarks; Dr. Philip A. Metzger and Marie C. Boltz, Special Collections and Archives, Lehigh University Library; Natalie Foster, Daniel Zeroka and James Sturm, Department of Chemistry, Lehigh University; Roger A. Egolf, Pennsylvania State University, Fogelsville, and James J. Bohning of the Chemical Heritage Foundation. This booklet was produced by the ACS Office of Public Outreach. Production Supervisor: Vivian Powers. Design: Dahlman Middour Design. Photos courtesy of Special Collections, Lehigh University Libraries. Copyright © 1994 by the American Chemical Society.
S AND 19TH CENTURY TEACHING LABORATORIES 1 CHEMISTRY: THE WILLIAV H. CHANDLER FACILITY
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ome artifacts are historically significant because they are the best o f their particular category; others are important for being the first o f their type. The W i l l i a m H . Chandler Chemistry Building at Lehigh University is a remarkable example of the latter. T h e architectural innovations embodied i n the Chandler Laboratory created the model o f modern chemical education. The structure and its uses revolutionized chemical training i n the 1880s and 1890s and defined the laboratory experience for students throughout the twentieth century. T h e Chandler Laboratory created a new paradigm, enabling chemical educators to see and do things i n new ways. Demand for chemists and assayers exploded i n the industrial economy of late 19th-century America. M i n i n g , extractive metallurgy, and the rapidly expanding iron and steel industries depended critically o n chemical expertise. There was also a growing need for technically trained individuals who, as consultants and entrepreneurs, could exploit the new discoveries to create new products and services. A t that time, apprenticeships and small tutorials were the n o r m for what little chemistry was actually taught. The few teaching laboratories that existed, modeled o n Justus Liebig's at the University of Giessen i n Germany, were small—often no larger than 16 feet wide and 12 feet h i g h — i n order to supply the necessary daylight and cross ventilation. I n 1876 at Johns Hopkins U n i v e r sity, Ira Remsen created an A m e r i c a n graduate teaching-research laboratory, o n the German model, but buildings dedicated to the needs of chemical training were the exception, not the rule. Front view, north side, of the Laboratory.
W i l l i a m H . Chandler, a keen observer of these trends, had been called i n 1871 to chair the chemistry department at Lehigh University. He realized that to replicate the German model of a technical university, custom facilities would be needed. Chandler knew that to teach laboratory techniques to larger numbers of students, to conduct advanced research, and to prepare graduates to serve the industrial world, a new chemistry building would be needed w i t h larger laboratories than traditional designs allowed. W i t h the
The class of 1893, rear door of the
help of architect Addison H u t t o n of Philadelphia, he designed and oversaw the construction i n 1884 of the laboratory w h i c h later bore his name. I t initially housed the chemistry, geology, and metallurgy departments at Lehigh University. From the very beginning, graduate research students occupied its facilities and from 1891 it became the research site of Lehigh's doctoral students.
chandler Laboratory,
Construction
Ventilation and Services
T h e building, first named simply the Lehigh University Chemical Laboratory, was formed i n a modified T shape, w i t h three wings located about a central stairway. I t contained lecture and exam rooms, research and teaching laboratories, and the necessary service areas. I t was constructed from locally quarried hard quartzite. The main building measured 219 feet by 44 feet, w i t h a basement and two principal stories. T h e first story had 9-foot, 8-inch ceilings, except for the main lecture room, w h i c h was 16 feet high. The second story had 9-foot ceilings. T h e central portion of the structure also had a third story w h i c h was somewhat narrower, at 37 feet 6 inches w i t h 8-foot ceilings. Each laboratory was 44 feet wide, double the w i d t h of the conventional labs of the period, w i t h separate ventilation chimneys for each laboratory. The third wing was only two stories tall, 84 feet long and 50 feet wide.
A n o t h e r important innovation—one w h i c h enabled the construction of large teaching laboratories w i t h i n the building—was the use of a fresh air intake for each chimney o n the wall next to each window. Each laboratory had its own 12 i n c h by 12 i n c h flue, coated on the inside w i t h asphalt to prevent disintegration of the bricks. Fresh air was admitted through an opening from the outside beneath each window and controlled by valves. Steam pipes supplying the radiators were placed w i t h i n each chimney flue to heat the Laboratory workbench air, ensuting a positive updraft of with experimental work exhaust gases. in progress.
Interior Design Several commentators believe that the Chandler Laboratory is the earliest example of contemporary modular bench layout designed to maximize the use of lab space. T h e organic laboratory had bench space for 22 students. The laboratory benches, built perpendicular to the exterior walls, were 5 feet wide—wider than usual for teaching labs of the day. T h e quantitative and qualitative analysis labs had even larger student capacities, w i t h the qualitative lab providing space for 84 students and the quantitative lab accommodating 48 students at a time.
Also u n k n o w n before the construct i o n of the Chandler Laboratory, but later to become a standard feature i n modern laboratory buildings, was the delivery of services piped to each bench station, including gas, steam, vacuum, compressed air, and water. These services were all supplied from the basement i n an open vertical chase at each window jamb for easy access. Built before the days of electric lighting, gas lamps provided illumination and outlets were positioned on walls and supporting columns throughout the structure. Later, electricity was supplied to each laboratory and office through wires mounted externally o n the walls. (Insufficient space remained w i t h i n the original vertical chases to permit the electric wires to be hidden.) Fireproof internal walls and stairways added to the safety of the building. Students in an assay laboratory, June, 1890.
The Museum Chemical "cabinets" were common features of 19th-century universities. Columbia, Yale, and the University of Pennsylvania were a few of many schools w i t h exhibit and display areas. W h e n W i l l i a m H . Chandler arrived i n Bethlehem i n 1871, he inherited a small museum and organized a quasi-secret student science club called "The Chemical Society," whose members were elected from all departments of the University. The group met monthly i n well-attended sessions to hear the latest i n science from visiting scholars, and they also helped to expand the chemical collection. W h e n the new Lehigh University Chemistry Laboratory was erected i n 1884, Chandler provided a centrally located museum w i t h six large (ca. 9-ft tall), glass-fronted double cases and ten wallmounted single cases. Chandler hoped that his museum would eventually contain a sample of every k n o w n compound! Through student and faculty travels and from University-financed buying expeditions, brilliantly colored dyestuffs; exotic botanical specimens of seeds, roots, and bark; unique laboratory glassware, and pictures o f famous chemists soon lined the walls and shelves of the museum. I n the early 20th century, growing enrollments necessitated that the museum space be remodeled for classrooms and offices, but the faculty still mounted an ever-changing exhibit i n the lobby.
Further Innovations T h e laboratory structure also contained gold and silver bullion rooms; three balance rooms; two gas analysis rooms; three industrial chemistry rooms; photographic facilities; assay rooms; a room housing a steam engine; a library, lecture recitation and preparation rooms; a mineralogical laboratory; instructors' and professors' offices and laboratories, and space for agricultural chemistry, physiological chemistry, and sanitary chemistry. W i t h Lehigh's original degree promoted as an A . C . , or analytical chemist, and w i t h the strong industrial flavor to the faculty's interests, the assay courses received particular attention. Custom-designed muffle furnaces were mounted at basement level and were used to teach the milk, butter, fat, o i l , and mineral analyses. Summer Assaying, an intense, technique-based
summer course, enrolled most of the chemistry majors i n June, July and August. Students practically lived i n the laboratory while taking this degree track. For its many innovations i n laboratory design, the Lehigh University Chemical Labotatory was awarded a design prize at the 1889 International Exposition i n Paris. Chandler himself described the structure i n a book prepared for the exposition and compared its features to those i n other university laboratories of the day. T h e building functioned well as a teaching and research laboratory, remaining the home of the Gas works model. Chemistry Department at Lehigh for over 90 years. A n extension was erected i n 1938 to house the growing industrial chemistry division, w h i c h i n the 1950s became a sepatate Department of Chemical Engineering. T h e extension was named for H . M . U l l m a n n , under whose chairmanship i t was conceived. B o t h wings of the building were remodeled i n 1957 w i t h much new plumbing, wiring, and laboratory furniture. T h e combined structure was renamed Chandler-Ullmann Laboratory.
Later Uses I n 1975 a new chemistry building, the Seeley G . M u d d Laboratory, was constructed at the n o r t h ern edge of Packer Avenue and most of the faculty relocated to i t . A small research group, the Center for Health Sciences, remained u n t i l 1985, thus completing a century of occupation by chemists. The Chandler building has been extensively remodeled for classroom and office use, w i t h the exception o f several small environmental, engineering, and experimental psychology laboratories, w h i c h remain o n the ground floor.
WILLIAM H, CHANDLER mum
W
illiam H . Chandler, professor o f chemistry at Lehigh University from 1871 u n t i l his death i n 1906, was the visionary designer of this building, w h i c h became a reference standard for late 19th and early 20th century laboratories. Born i n N e w Bedford, Massachusetts, o n December 13, 1841, he was the younger brother of Charles F. Chandler. T h e latter was to become the illustrious Dean of the Columbia School of Mines, a founder of the Chemists Club, and twoterm president of the American Chemical Society (1881, 1889). T h e Chandlers' father was a merchant w i t h a fascination for things botanical. T h e brothers' interests i n science were encouraged by nature walks w i t h their father, as well as by the opportunity to hear lectures by the famous Harvard U n i v e r sity naturalist, Louis Agassiz. W h e n Charles took up the study of chemistry, W i l l i a m followed suit. W i l l i a m followed Charles to U n i o n College i n Schenectady, N e w York, where the latter, fresh from obtaining his doctorate at the University o f G o t t i n g e n , was teaching chemistry. After graduat i o n i n 1862, W i l l i a m worked as a chemist at the New Bedford Copper Works and later at the Swan Island Guano Company. He again joined Charles, now a professor at Columbia; there he studied, taught, and received an A . M . i n 1871. W i l l i a m then obtained his Ph.D. i n 1872 from H a m i l t o n College, one year after j o i n i n g the faculty of Lehigh University.
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A t Lehigh, W i l l i a m continued to coedit ( w i t h Charles) The American Chemist, a pioneering A m e r i c a n journal and a forerunner of the Journal of the American Chemical Society. The American Chemist provided an indigenous outlet for chemical research and kept A m e r i c a n chemists posted on European developments. I t also covered the assembly of A m e r i c a n chemists at the Priestley Celebration i n 1874— w h i c h both Chandlers attended—as well as the organizational meeting of the A C S , w h i c h followed two years later. W i l l i a m Chandler activated the masters degree and later ( i n 1891) the doctorate i n chemistry at Lehigh. He conducted research i n assay methodologies, created a special A . C . degree (Analytical Chemist), conducted forensic analyses for local law enforcement officials, helped start a local hospital w i t h an associated laboratory, and was active i n civic life. He served his university as librarian and as acting president i n 1895 and 1904-1906. As librarian, Chandler was able to spend what for that age were impressive sums o n developing a collection, including many rare books, w h i c h became the foundation of the University's present holdings. H e also edited a three-volume Encyclopedia and Epitome of Universal Knowledge, w h i c h contained 1,700 pages, many diagrams, and colored maps. T h e achievement o f w h i c h he was most proud was the design and construction of the laboratory building w h i c h today bears his name. Chandler died i n Bethlehem o n November 23, 1906.
REFERENCES FOR FURTHER READING Edward H . Beardsley. The Rise of the American Chemistry Profession, 1850-1900. Gainesville: University of Florida Pr., 1964.
W i l l i a m H . Chandler. Construction of Chemical Laboratories. W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . : U . S . G o v e r n m e n t P r i n t i n g Office, 1893: 679-698.
R. D . Billinger. " T h e Chandler Influence i n A m e r i c a n Chemistry," Journal of Chemical Education 16 (1939): 253-257.
W i l l i a m H . Chandler. Manuscript Lecture Notes from the Lectures of Professor William H . Chandler. Various sets w r i t t e n by Lehigh U n i v e r s i t y students, Samuel D . Morford (1881), John H . Spengler (1886), and A . B. Jessup (1891).
R. D . Billinger. "Seventy-Five Years o f Chemistry at Lehigh University," Journal of Chemical Education 19 (1942): 82-85. R. D . Billinger. " W i l l i a m H . Chandler," Pages 75-76 i n American Chemists and Chemical Engineers, ed. by W . D . Miles. W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . : A m e r i c a n C h e m i c a l Society, 1976. Catherine D r i n k e r Bowen. A History of Lehigh University. Bethlehem, Pa.: L e h i g h U n i v e r s i t y A l u m n i B u l l e t i n Publishers, 1924: 30-32. Charles F. Chandler and W i l l i a m H . Chandler, eds. The American Chemist (a news and industrial j o u r n a l o f chemistry), 1870-1877. W i l l i a m H . Chandler. Chandler's Encyclopedia, An Epitome of Universal Knowledge. N e w York: C o l l i e r Publishing. 1898.
Bruce V . Lewenstein. " T o Improve Our Knowledge i n Nature and A r t s : A History of C h e m i c a l Education i n the U n i t e d States." Journal of Chemical Education, V o l . 66 (1989): 37-44. Harry F. Lewis. "General Problems o f Laboratory Design," Journal of Chemical Education 24 (1947): 320323. Harry F. Lewis. Laboratory Planning for Chemistry and Chemical Engineering. N e w York: R e i n h o l d Publishing Co., 1962. Randy Swanson. " T w o Directions of T e c h n i c a l Innovat i o n i n Late 19th Century Laboratory Design," i n : Technology on an Evolutionary Path, American Collegiate Schools of Architecture, Conference Proceedings: A r c h i tecture: Design Implementation, Part 7, Chapter 24 (1992): pp. 129-133.
THE NATIONAL HISTORIC CHEMICAL L A N D M A R K S P R O G R A M OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY T h e A C S N a t i o n a l Historic Chemical Landmarks Program ( N H C L P ) illuminates our scientific and technical heritage and serves to encourage the preservation of the physical remains of historically important works. I t provides an annotated roster for chemists and chemical engineers, students, educators, historians, and travelers, and helps to establish persistent reminders of where we have been and where we are going along the divergent paths of discovery. A n A C S Historic Chemical Milestone represents a distinctive step i n the evolution of the chemical sciences and technologies. Designations of sites and artifacts note events or developments of clear historical importance [ to chemists and chemical engineers. Collections mark the contributions of a number of objects w i t h special significance to the historical development of chemistry and chemical engineering.
NATIONAL HISTORIC CHEMICAL LANDMARK
THE CHANDLER CHEMISTRY LABORATORY Bethlehem,
Pennsylvania
1884 William Htrtty Chandler !fS*l-i996) - pmfeiior, chairman, 'librarian, and acting president of Leh:--. tmi.trlit, — ; conceived and olaaBed this laboratory Designed by Philadelphia architect Addison Helton; aad erected in 1884-85 al a cost of S20B,8aa, the structure contained such advel features at iteain-
iga [wire al the 1884 Pari* Internal. h« beiidipg set Iht Mandod
T h e N H C L P began i n 1992, when the Division of the History of Chemistry of the A C S formed an international Advisory Committee, composed of chemists, chemical engineers, and historians of science and technology. T h e Advisory Committee, working w i t h the A C S Office of Public Outreach and assisted by the Chemical Heritage Foundation, provides a public service by examining, noting, recording, and acknowledging achievements i n chemistry and chemical engineering of particular significance. For further information, please contact the A C S Public Outreach Office, 1155 16th Street, N W , Washington, D C 20036, 1-800-ACS-5558, press 54; fax 202-872-4377.
T h e American Chemical Society
Lehigh U n i v e r s i t y
N e d D . H e i n d e l , President
Peter L i k i n s , President
B r i a n M . R u s h t o n , President-Elect
A l a n W . Pense, V i c e President 6k Provost
Paul H . L . W a l t e r , Board C h a i r m a n J o h n K C r u m , Executive D i r e c t o r
A C S A d v i s o r y Committee on National His-
A n n B . Messmore, D i r e c t o r , Public O u t r e a c h
toric Chemical Landmarks C h a i r m a n : Jeffrey L . S t u r c h i o , M e r c k 6k C o . ,
A C S Division of the History of Chemistry Paul R. Jones, C h a i r m a n
Inc. James J. B o h n i n g , C h e m i c a l H e r i t a g e
M a r t i n D . Saltzman, C h a i r m a n - E l e c t
Foundation
H a r o l d G o l d w h i t e , Secretary-Treasurer
James R . Fair, U n i v e r s i t y o f Texas
Lehigh Valley A C S Section
Ned D. Heindel, Lehigh University
Yasu Furukawa, T o k y o D e n k i U n i v e r s i t y Andrew G. Gilicinski, Chairman
W i l l i a m B . Jensen, U n i v e r s i t y o f C i n c i n n a t i
C h a r l e s E. Russell,
James W . L o n g , U n i v e r s i t y o f O r e g o n
Chairman-Elect
R o n a l d M . Pearlstein, Secretary
A r t h u r P. M o l e l l a , N a t i o n a l M u s e u m
Pamela D . Kistler, Treasurer
of American History Peter J. T . M o r r i s , N a t i o n a l M u s e u m o f Science
Lehigh Valley A C S Section Historical Site Committee
M a r y Jo N y e , U n i v e r s i t y o f O k l a h o m a
Roger A . Egolf, C h a i r m a n
Stanley I . Proctor, Jr., M o n s a n t o C o m p a n y
a n d Industry, L o n d o n
Andrew Gilicinski
D a v i d J. Rhees, B a k k e n L i b r a r y a n d M u s e u m
C. Theodore Kleppinger
A n n C . H i g g i n s , A C S Staff L i a i s o n
P h i l i p A . Metzger James E. S t u r m R o b e r t S. Sprague
American Chemical Society 1155 S i x t e e n t h Street, N . W . ' W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . 20036
