The Chemical History of a Paint Box: Chemical Education

Edwin C. Constable

doi:10.2533/chimia.2025.269

The Chemical History of a Paint Box

Chemical Education

Authors

Edwin C. Constable University of Basel, Department of Chemistry, BPR 1096, Mattenstrasse 24a, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2533/chimia.2025.269

Keywords:

Chemistry, Colour, History, Paint, Pigment

Abstract

The history of mankind is the history of colour. The colours of objects, fabrics, manuscripts and illustrations from the past betray their cultural origins. A look into the modern paint box reveals some of the chemical history associated with colour.