Description
Book SynopsisChemistry in the last century was characterized by spectacular growth and advances, stimulated by revolutionary theories and experimental breakthroughs. Yet, despite this rapid development, the history of this scientific discipline has achieved only recently the status necessary to understand the effects of chemistry on the scientific and technological
culture of the modern world.
This book addresses the bridging of boundaries between chemistry and the other "classical" disciplines of science, physics and biology as well as the connections of chemistry to
mathematics and technology.
Chemical research is represented as an interconnected patchwork of scientific specialties, and this is shown by a mixture of case studies and broader overviews on the history of organic chemistry, theoretical chemistry, nuclear- and cosmochemistry, solid state chemistry, and biotechnology. All of these fields were at the center of the development of twentieth century chemistry, and the authors cover crucial topics such as the emergence of new subdisciplines and
research fields, the science-technology relationship, and national styles of scientific work.
This monograph represents a unique treasure trove for general historians and historians of science, while also appealing to
those interested in the theoretical background and development of modern chemistry.
Trade Review"Anyone seriously interested in the history of chemistry will want to read this book. Many practising chemists will enjoy dipping into it to find fascinating insights into the recent history of their own particular area, and it should be in all university libraries."
- Education in Chemistry, July 2002
Table of ContentsTHEORETICAL CHEMISTRY AND QUANTUM CHEMISTRY
Introduction to the History of Theorectical Chemistry and Quantum Chemistry
Issues in the History of Theoretical and Quantum Chemistry, 1927-1960
Italian-German Scientific Relations in the 1930s and the Making of Quantum Chemistry
Theoretical Chemistry in France after World War II
CHEMISTRY AND BIOLOGY
Introduction to the History of Chemistry and Biology
From Genetics to Biochemistry. The Experimental Design of Alfred Kühn's Ephestia System
Biotechnology Before the Biotech Revolution: Life Scientists, Chemists and Product Development in the 1930s and 1940s
Analysing Practices, Reconsidering Interdisciplinarity: (Bio)chemists and the History of Molecular Biology
RADIOCHEMISTRY, NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY AND ASTROCHEMISTRY
Introduction to the History of Radiochemistry, Nuclear chemistry and Astrochemistry
The Discovery of New Elements and the Boundary between Physics and Chemistry in the 1920s and 1930s
The Search for Artificial Elements and the Discovery of Nuclear Fission
From Geochemistry to Astro- and Cosmochemistry: A Historical Survey
SOLID STATE CHEMISTRY
Introduction to the History of Solid State Chemistry
The New Science of Materials: A Composite Field of Research
Polymer Science: From Chemistry to an Interdisciplinary Science
At the Boundaries: Michael Polany's Work on Surfaces and the Solid State
ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
The History of Organic Chemistry
