First published 2002
Simon Garfield tells the story of William Perkin, an eighteen-year-old English chemist who changed the world through accident. In 1856, Perkin was conducting experiments when he made an unexpected discovery that allowed mass production of color. His laboratory mishap created an unusual purple shade that transformed the fashion industry and opened new possibilities for industrial chemistry. Garfield writes with wit and intelligence, bringing to life a figure who has been largely forgotten despite occasional recognition in academic circles. The book shows how one experimental error reshaped both clothing and chemical research, revealing the far-reaching consequences of scientific serendipity.
Genres: history, 20th-century, non-fiction, chemistry, 19th-century, fashion, academic
Vibes: informative, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: forgotten-history, serendipity
Setting: England
Period: 1856
224 pages · Paperback · W. W. Norton & Company