The Chemical History of Color

In this brief, Mary Virginia Orna details the history of color from the chemical point of view. Beginning with the first recorded uses of color and ending in the development of our modern chemical industry, this rich, yet concise exposition shows us how color pervades every aspect of our lives. Our consciousness, our perceptions, our useful appliances and tools, our playthings, our entertainment, our health, and our diagnostic apparatus – all involve color and are based in no small part on chemistry.

From the reviews:

“This work, part of the ‘SpringerBriefs’ series, emphasizes color chemistry and its history. … The short book includes chemical structures, reaction schemes, brief biographies of key individuals, and illustrations from the Chemical Heritage Foundation. Of interest to students and teachers of chemistry, as well as those in history, physics, psychology, and art. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates and above; informed general readers.” (R. E. Buntrock, Choice, Vol. 50 (9), May, 2013)

“This new book with such a unique take on the historical development of our understanding of the phenomenon that is color. … It is a delightful combination of historical accounts and anecdotes surrounding the subject of color, while at the same time dealing properly with the science. … I would recommend it as essential reading for anyone with an interest in color. … I have reviewed many books on color over the years … but I can honestly give this one my most enthusiastic recommendation.” (Robert Christie, Bulletin for the History of Chemistry, Vol. 38 (1), 2013)

Mary Virginia Orna is Professor of Chemistry at the College of New Rochelle, New Rochelle, NY (mvorna@cnr.edu), although her professional history includes service in government, not-for-profit institutions and industry. She received a B.S. in Chemistry from Chestnut Hill College and Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from Fordham University. She has lectured and published widely in the areas of color chemistry and archaeological chemistry and, following a sabbatical leave at the Institute of Fine Arts, New York University, she has maintained a research relationship with art historians in the area of pigment content of medieval manuscripts. Among her many professional activities, she has presented plenary lectures and named lectureships on at least a dozen different occasions. She is a tour speaker on the roster of the American Chemical Society and has been an invited lecturer to every part of the United States and many countries in Europe, the Middle East, and the South Pacific. Her many publications have appeared in the Journal of Chemical Education, Color Research and Application, Studies in Conservation, Analytical Chemistry, Microchemical Journal, Journal of Biological Chemistry, American Chemical Society monographs, and various other journals. She has also authored numerous book chapters and encyclopedia articles, three books and co-edited eight others.