sLowlife

Question: Did you know that there are National Historic Chemical Landmarks? Answer: Yes, there are. Question: What did the American Chemical Society declare to be its first National Historic Chemical Landmark, and where can you find it? Answer: "Old Faithful", a Bakelizer or steam pressure vessel, vintage 1909. Phenol and formaldehyde were hardened at 150 C and 100 psi and voila! commercial quantities of Bakelite were the product. You can find it at the museum at the Chemical Heritage Foundation in Philadelphia. I spent several delightful hours there yesterday afternoon and could…