Creative Chemistry
Edwin E. Slosson
Read by LivelyHive
Slosson reviews the transformation of alchemistry from an obscure and imprecise practice to the science of chemistry. Along the way, he explains how the modern industrial world now relies on fertilizers, explosives, textile materials, polymers and metals.
By exploring the properties of a once undervalued element, the high strength of vanadium steel made the Ford car possible. Another element, cerium, appears in butane lighters and was once seen as a threat to the match industry in France.
In his chapter on oils, Slosson reviews the development of hydrogenated oils, especially during WWII, in the search for a way to reuse otherwise discarded components of corn and cottonseed. Through the revolutionary reaction of hydrogenation, waste materials became a stable product that wouldn't spoil when packaged or carried without refrigeration. Once thought of as a miracle, shoppers were once willing to pay more for fully hydrogenated oils than their natural, unsaturated forms. Only in recent years has evidence of health risks checked their popularity and given them the image of cheap, unhealthy fillers. (Summary by LivelyHive) (11 hr 6 min)
Chapters
introduction | 13:04 | Read by LivelyHive |
Ch 1. Three Periods of Progress | 22:21 | Read by LivelyHive |
Ch. 2 Nitrogen | 49:26 | Read by LivelyHive |
Ch. 3 Feeding The Soil | 49:14 | Read by LivelyHive |
Ch. 4 Coal-Tar Colors, part 1/2 | 30:13 | Read by LivelyHive |
Ch. 4 Coal-Tar Colors, part 2/2 | 41:58 | Read by LivelyHive |
Ch. 5 Synthetic Perfumes And Flavors | 40:01 | Read by LivelyHive |
Ch. 6 Cellulose | 41:29 | Read by LivelyHive |
Ch. 7 Synthetic Plastics | 37:40 | Read by LivelyHive |
Ch. 8 The Race For Rubber | 41:58 | Read by LivelyHive |
Ch. 9 The Rival Sugars | 37:16 | Read by LivelyHive |
Ch. 10 What Comes From Corn | 34:32 | Read by LivelyHive |
Ch. 11 Solidified Sunshine | 44:44 | Read by LivelyHive |
Ch. 12 Fighting With Fumes | 41:02 | Read by LivelyHive |
Ch. 13 Products Of The Electric Furnace | 1:00:39 | Read by LivelyHive |
Ch. 14 Metals, Old And New part 1/2 | 37:31 | Read by LivelyHive |
Ch. 14 Metals, Old And New part 2/2 | 43:26 | Read by LivelyHive |
Reviews
very good book
csmlangston
It's a pretty interesting book, but the background noise and the reader's lack of infection makes it somewhat a pain to listen to. the more you listen to it though, the less annoying he is.
lots of information
Nicolas Cremeans
Great book about the science of chemistry. Old books always seem to explain subjects with better clarity.
Must listen
Bjilka
A fascinating journey of the materials that are all around us. Nicely read.
Creative Chemistry
David Schroeder
Great book. Very informative. Excellent refresher for the chemistry buff.
Deep blo es wè
A LibriVox Listener
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amazing Book
Aryan Hoque
book is good and audio quality is also good
Great overview of American chemistty 100 years ago
Ball Security