By Richard T. Cartwright, PE, CHMM, (IHMM, AHMP and APICS) Fellow
The saying, “Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it” is more than a cliché. It is a reminder that we must constantly be learning from the past. Here’s a look back at major historical events that happened today in the world of hazardous materials.
February 28, 1953
James Watson and Frances Crick, English scientists, discovered the structure of DNA while shuffling cardboard cutout models of the molecules of the DNA bases: adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C) and thymine (T). After a while, in a spark of ingenuity, they discovered their complementary pairing. They realized that A joined with T had a close resemblance to C joined with G, and that each pair could hold together with hydrogen bonds. Such pairs could also neatly fit like rungs meeting at right-angles between two anti-parallel helical sugar-phosphate backbones of DNA wound around a common axis. Such a structure was consistent with the known X-ray diffraction pattern evidence. Each separated helix with its half of the pairs could form a template for reproducing the molecule. This was the secret of life and reproduction.
February 28, 1935
Wallace Carothers, American chemist working for DuPont, discovered nylon. Its first demonstrated use was toothbrush bristles. During World War II, nylon was used in parachutes, flak vests, combat uniforms and tires. It became a staple in fabrics, carpets and ropes. Its most celebrated use was women’s stockings. Carothers didn’t live to see his discovery put to any practical use. He killed himself two years after the discovery using cyanide. He was 41. His suicide came shortly after his favorite sister suddenly died. He never recovered from the loss.
February 28, 1901
Linus Pauling, the American biochemist and Nobel Prize Laureate, was born. He applied quantum mechanics to the study of molecular structures, particularly in connection with chemical bonding. Pauling was awarded a Nobel Prize for Chemistry for charting the chemical underpinnings of life itself. In 1958, Pauling presented the United Nations with a petition signed by more than 11,000 scientists calling for an end to nuclear-weapon testing. Public pressure subsequently led to a moratorium on above-ground nuclear weapons testing, followed by a Russian-American Partial Test Ban Treaty in 1963. Because of his work for nuclear peace, he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace. In addition, he is remembered for his strong belief in the health benefits of large doses of vitamin C.
February 28, 1893
Edward Acheson, American chemist, received a patent for carborundum. It is an abrasive material made primarily of silicon carbide and fused alumina.
Historical hazardous materials management events are posted 365 days a year at this LinkedIn discussion group.
