If Dead Scientists Could Talk…

Two scientists almost a century apart have the same regrets despite their world-changing innovations

“Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” — Winston Churchill

Profits drive business growth — this is a universally accepted truth (and if
it isn’t it should be…I wouldn’t know, I’m a chemist). In trying to drive
growth, businesses seek any advantage that will boost efficiency and thereby
increase profits. The logic is undeniable: spend less money on the process
and charge the same for the product/service, then more money goes into your
pocket. In the early 1800s, entrepreneurs saw the burgeoning science of chemistry as the latest catalyst for boosting efficiencies and profits. Eventually, these scientist-entrepreneurs’ success would grab the attention of entire governments, which would then spawn even greater investment into
chemistry — this is exactly how Germany became a industrial and academic powerhouse in the 19th century, but that’s a whole other story.

One industry that benefitted greatly from chemistry was mining. From the
salt mines at Carthage to the coal mines of West Virginia, it is a grueling,
labor intensive process. As such, mine production was dominated by avoidance of efficiency-draining factors…