Michel Eugene Chevreul.

Title

Michel Eugene Chevreul.

View of the french chemist Michel Eugene Chevreul in his laboratory in researching. Michel Eugène Chevreul (1786 – 1889) was a French chemist whose work with fatty acids led to early applications in the fields of art and science. He is credited with the discovery of margaric acid, creatine, and designing an early form of soap made from animal fats and salt. He lived to 102 and was a pioneer in the field of gerontology. He is also one of the 72 people whose names are inscribed on the Eiffel Tower. Chevreul's scientific work covered a wide range, but he is best known for the classical researches he carried out on animal fats, published in 1823. His research on the ;magic pendulum;, Dowsing rods and table-turning is revolutionary. In the end Chevreul discovered that once a person holding divining rods/magic pendulum became aware of the brain's reaction, the movements stopped and could not be willingly reproduced. His was one of the earliest explanations of the ideomotor effect. Chevreul was also influential in the world of art. After being named director of the dye works at the Gobelins Manufactory in Paris, he received many complaints about the dyes being used there. In particular, the blacks appeared different when used next to blues. He determined that the yarn's perceived color was influenced by other surrounding yarns. This led to a concept known as simultaneous contrast. Yet the color principle subsequently had a great influence on advanced art in Europe.Shortly befor his death at the age of 102, Chevreul began to study the effects of aging on the human body.

ca. 1890

Artist

Huyot

Historical Description

Even in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, there were healers. The Greek physician Hippocrates (c. 460–370 BC) is considered the "father of medicine." In the Middle Ages, medicine was often practiced in monasteries and strongly influenced by religious doctrines. In early modern times, progress was made through improved knowledge of anatomy (e.g., Andreas Vesalius). The first hospitals were established, and physicians began to distinguish themselves more clearly from healers and bath attendants. It was not until the 19th century that modern medicine began to develop. Discoveries such as the germ theory (Pasteur, Koch) and the first vaccinations (Jenner) made physicians more scientific and effective. Only in the early 20th century did chemistry become a key science – with applications in medicine, industry, and agriculture. This included the development of new drugs, plastics, cleaning agents, and more. The history of medicine and chemistry shows the increasing scientific penetration of healthcare. Whereas in the past experience and observation dominated, today research, technology, and chemistry are at the core of modern medicine.