THE RELATION OF CHEMISTRY TO THE HOME*
Our complex modern civilization is a direct result of the application of chemistry to industry and everyday life. To many, this statement means nothing, yet, if they would only investigate the origin of hundreds of things with which they are always in contact, they would know its truth. Reside revolutionizing industry, improving agriculture, checkmating disease, and strengthening the national defense, chemistry has blessed the home with comfort, beauty, and economy to a de~reeundreamed of a few years ago. The home, being the foundation of society and giving the child its first and lasting impressions, should radiate an atmosphere of refinement and culture. Chemistry is always working to this end, and is absolutely necessary to make it possible. As Cicero once remarked, "There is no place more delightful than one's own fireside." As it was then, so i t is now. Yet how different is the modern home from the dwellings of the Roman people. Although not dating back to Cicero's age, a brief description is given of the Kentucky pioneer home of a bare hundred years ago. A cabin constructed of logs, chinked with mud, and roofed with clapboards provided a shelter. Puncheon floors were common. An open log fire was the source of HENRYL. PRICHARD heat and light. All furnishings were crudely hand-made. The cooking was done over an open fire with metal implements and utensils that were rare. Textiles were of home production. Soap was made of grease and wood ash. Water was drawn from an open well by means of a sweep. Fire was obtained from a tinder-box. Although many individual operations now called chemical were practised, it is apparent that chemistry had no conscious part in this home. But, as chemistry is in reality a recent science, and, as everything in the modern home has a chemical history, the following paragraphs will depict the dependency of the home on chemistry and the true relationship existing between them.
* Prize-winning normal-schwl and
teachers' college essay, 1928-29.
First, we shall consider the shelter. A durable and comfortable building is essential for the existence of a well-regulated family. If a person should observe the construction of the foundations, he would notice a gray powder being mixed with sand, gravel, and water. The mixture is then poured into forms and allowed to dry, producing a grayish artificial stone. The gray powder used is Portland cement, which binds the sand and gravel. This cement is a product on which hundreds of years of research were spent, being perfected by the chemists of our era. The history of cementing materials began with the Assyrians, Babylonians, Egyptians, and Greeks. Following rather closely the Grecian method of producing cement of lime, sand, and pozzolana, the Romans made a cement that resisted the action of fresh and salt water. These pozzolana cements were somewhat similar to our present-day Portland cements. However, the modern cement industry began in 1756, when John Smeaton, an Englishman, produced a mortar that would harden under water. After further experimenting, Joseph Aspdin patented an improved Portland cement, the name Portland coming from the fact that when hardened, it resembled the famous Portland building stone. When the chemist analyzed cement, he found i t to be largely the oxides of lime, alumina, silica, magnesia, and iron. Supplied in the proper proportions and heated to about 1425 degrees, these materials are the source of our cement. This wonderful building material of the chemist adds untold durability, safety, comfort, and healthfulness to our homes. As materials for the building, brick an$ tile are almost indispensable, being used for walls, chimneys, flues, fireplaces, and roofing. With bricks so common, we are prone to think that the chemist has nothing to do with their production. But as they are manufactured from many types of clay, the chemist must determine the type and composition of all clays. If a clay lacks some essential elemedt, an inferior product results. Even the lumber used in the modem building is chemically treated and cured to give the wood longer life, to prevent swelling, and to reduce the fire hazard. All of us are acquainted with paints and varnishes and their use, but few are aware that it was only after scientific synthesis and analysis began that the paint industry made much progress. Of course the primary purposes of paint and varnish are protection and beauty, but from the standpoint of sanitation and hygiene, painted walls are recommended. It has been found that vapors from an oil-pigment paint develop formaldehyde, an antiseptic that destroys bacilli. The use of protective coating began before 2500 B. C., when Noah covered the Ark with pitch. The ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Assyrians, and Romans were great believers in the decorative art. Colors were obtained from the earth, such as yellow ochers and red iron oxide. Practically all paints are now made by grinding mined or chemically prepared pigments in oil, subsequently adding a thinner, such as turpen-
tine and a drier of cobalt, lead, or manganese. Varnishes are produced by combining resin, heat-treated drying oils, a thinner of turpentine, and driers that act as catalysts. Quick-drying lacquers have recently been made from low plasticity nitrocellulose. There are, however, over a thousand materials coming from all parts of the world with which the chemist must be familiar in order to have a thorough knowledge upon which to base hisprocesses and formulas.' By chemical experimentation, attractive fireproof roofs of asphalt and asbestos compounds have been developed. Insulating materials have been compounded for the building, which greatly reduce the fuel bill. These materials are often glass wool or silicates of magnesium. The interior finish is often plaster, a chemical compound of hydrated calcium sulfate. Or, if yon like, the walls are paneled with fascinatmg new chemically prepared materials. Although glass making is an age-old art, it was the chemist who gave us glass that permits the health-giving rays of the sun to enter our homes and allows perfect vision. The chemist has given us special glass adapted for definite purposes. He found that glass not too high in sodium or potassium possessed low conductivity, hence its use in electric light bulbs. By adding boracic acid, he produced a glass of a low expansion coefficient for oven use. Besides these articles, we have dishes, tumblers, shades, pots, jars, bottles, and various containers of glass. Undoubtedly, modern glass is one of the chemist's most important contributions to the home. The modern heating system that supplies uuform temperature thronghout the house is possible because the chemist understands the refining of petroleum, the preparation of fuel gases from destructive distillation of coal, and the combustion of oils and gases. Furthermore, by improving the metallurgy of iron and steel, the chemist provides the furnace in which the heat is generated. By simply pulling a cord, the modem furnace is placed in operation. Through research, the chemist has replaced the heating methods of yesterday with something more healthful, convenient, and efficient. Today, we think it would be impossible to do without electric lights, and if it were not for chemistry, they would be impractical. An electric light bulb is made of glass with a filament of tungsten and thoria, which makes light from electricity possible. To transfer this energy from which light is produced, the chemist provided pure copper wire, properly insulated. The electric light, by removing limitations on the activities of the home and giving us wonderful convenience and safety, has advanced civilization many years. Since prehistoric time, man has created fire a t will, yet not until the adHowe, H. E., "Chemistry in Industry," Vol. 11, The Chemical Foundation, Inc., New York City, p. 232, 1927.
vent of the match in the nineteenth century could he do this with so little inconvenience. Although people use matches every day, they never stop to think that each one is a splint treated with glue, chlorate of potash, snlfur, resin, and sesquisulfide of phosphorus. The development of the "match" for home use is a striking illustration of the application of chemistry to human needs.= With the idea in mind that "a little fire is quickly trodden out," the chemist constructed the automatic sprinkler, and the chemical extinguishers for home protection. But perhaps the most effectiveway to combat fire is to prevent it by building the home of fireproof materials, such as cement, brick, steel, plaster, and asbestos, developed by the chemist. In furnishing the home, it is transformedfrom a bleak, barren place to one of beauty and comfort by the science of chemistry. The gorgeous display of color and beauty in the home is possible because synthetic dyes of beauty and fastness can be prepared from dirty and ill-smelling coal tar. When the total elimination of color is desired, a process of bleaching with hypochlorites and certain peroxides is employed. The beautiful draperies, curtains, and even articles of clothing are often made of artificial silk. Count de Chardonnet first produced this silk from cellulose. Cellulose is the structural material of vegetation, and is very plentiful in cotton, wood, and flax. A host of articles including paper, artificial leather, and celluloid are products of cellulose. Sanitation and cleanliness are the distinguishing marks of our civilization. The successful home is an example of,cleanliness through chemistry. Soap is distinctly a chemical product, being an alkaline metal combined with mixed fatty acids. Although soap was made during Biblical times, improvement in its manufacture was slow until the last century, when Chevreul determined the true chemical character of fats and soaps. Beside soap, there are many important detergents for stain removal. In the bathroom and kitchen, where sanitation and cleanliness prevail, the beautiful tiled walls, floors, and porcelain plumbing fixtures are creations of the chemist. The modern kitchen illustrates better than any other part of the home the tremendous impress which the work of the chemist has forced upon our domestic life. All of our modern kitchen equipment is the result of chemical research. The utensils for cooking are of infinite variety. Aluminum, possibly the best material for this purpose, was unknown a hundred years ago. The home is indebted to the chemist Hall for the economical production of aluminum by an electrical process. The mystery that shrouded the metallurgy of iron and steel was uncovered years ago; consequently, we now have our wonderful gas and electric ranges and hundreds of other contrivances and appliances. Rustless steel and other alloys have been developed. Our enameled ware has been improved. Silverware has a ' H. E Howe, 09 at., p. 221.
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NORMAL AND TEACHERS' COLLEGE ESSAYS
1707
distinct chemical history. Ordinary linoleum is a mixture of oxidized linseed oil, cork dust, fillers,and pigment mounted on a canvas back. Without mentioning other common kitchen articles, it is apparent that the chemist really blessed the home when he introduced chemistry into the kitchen. Modem refrigeration methods are possibly the chemist's greatest contribution to the welfare and comfort of the family. From the simplest ice box to the new refrigeration machines, underlying principles of chemistry are involved. In producing artificial ice and maintaining low temperature, ammonia is necessary because of its high heat of vaporization. Where small units are necessary, stilfur dioxide is employed. The Frigidaire machines are of this type. Although there are other types of chemical refrigeration that will come into extensive use in the future, the most popular now is the compression machine. Its success lies in the fact that ammonia gas, when compressed and.cooled, forms a liquid. The ammonia is then vaporized, absorbing heat and thus creating a low temperature. When the chemist gave us unlimited quantities of ammonia, he provided our homes with foods that were formerly unavailable. There is nothing in the home of more importance to the welfare of each individual than the foods. However, little is known of the relation of foods to health and disease. We must accept food as the very essence of life, but we do not realize that some one has protected us from danger. This invisible person is the chemist. He has protected us from impure foods by setting legal standards for pure foods. Louis Pasteur protected our milk supply when he introduced pasteurization: We must also remember that our water supply is effectively purified and softened when necessary by the chemist. He analyzed foods and found them to he carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, and mineral matter. By research, he has helped us to know what to eat and the amount we require. Synthetic foods and combinations not found in nature are provided, as baking powder and soda. Because of his accomplishments, the chemist is recognized as a most important person in food production, control, and utilization. Although we have access to adequate medical service, the home must be able to render first aid. The medicine chest should contain simple remedies, preventives, and antiseptics that the chemist has provided. During this quarter of a century, radio has annihilated space and brought untold pleasure into the home. The chemist has supplied the tubes and materials that make radio a reality; and, just as radio is dependent on chemistry, so will the intricate television machines of the future he. Our newspapers, books, and magazines are all possible because the chemist produced the paper, ink, and glue from which they are made. In fact, it is safe to say that the chemist provides the home with all of its recreation and entertainment. From this meager description, it is apparent that there is nothing in the
home that does not have a romantic chemical history. Chemistry is everywhere evident; and to describe completely the chemistry embodied in the home, would require hundreds of volumes; possibly even then many fascinating principles that affect our daily life would remain hidden, because the chemist is a poor press agent. Chemistry affects all members of the family more than they will admit; even Dad, when he chooses a tie, takes a particular one because the chemist saw fit to dye it a certain color. In the future, chemistry will influence and enrich our home life to an extent now unimaginable because it is a creative science that treats of the transformation of matter, and such transformations may he unlimited in number and variety. We are conservative when we say that chemistry is a science the first chapter of whose book of Genesis is just beginning to be written. Bibliography Beery, Pauline, "Chemistry Applied to Home and Community," J. B. Lippincott Co., Philadelphia. 1926. Howe, H. E., "Chemistry in Industry," Vol. I and 11, The Chemical Foundation, Inc., New York, 1927. Rogers, Allen, "Manual of Industrial Chemistry," D. Van Nostrand Co., New York, 1919. Sherman, H e m , "Chemistry of Foods and Nutrition," The Macmillan Co., New York, 1928. Snell, John F . , "Elementary Household Chemistry," The Macmillan Co., New York, 1927. Vallery-Radot, R e d , "The Life of Pa,steur," Doubleday, Page & Co., New York, 1923.
Howe and Turner, "Chemistry and the Homl;" Charles Scribner's Sons, New York, 1927.
Sadtler, Samuel S., "Chemistry of Familiar Things," J. B. Lippincott Co., Philadelphia, 1927. Woolrich, W. R.. "Handbook of Refrigerating Engineering," D. Van Nostrand Co., New York, 1929. McPherson and Henderson. "A Course in General Chemistry." Ginn & Co., Boston.
