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The tincal trail: a history of borax
such as decisions, dates, project funds etc. and is backed up by the inclusion of correspondence where appropriate, plus three Appendices and 40 pages of notes and references giving detailed background material chapter by chapter. Thus it makes highly informative as well as enjoyable reading. C. M. Humphries
Science and the Enlightenment. By Thomas L. Hankins. Pp. 216. Cambridge University Press. 1985. Hard cover f20.00, Paperback f6.95. For the French it was the age of enlightenment, for the Germans the age of philosophy and literature, for the English the age of prose. reason, and the stuffy Hanoverians No wonder that the story of 18th century science has been relatively neglected by Anglophone historians. As Professor Hankins. best known for his large-scale study of D’Alembert, declares, this is arguably the first ‘general study’ of 18th century science since A. Wolf’s monumental History of Science, Technology and Philosophy (1939). Hankins’ aim is to bring the subject up-to-date in lesser compass, omitting technology (Watt’s name does not occur in the index) and philosophy (his Priestley is strictly a scientist). In this he has admirably succeeded. The first and last chapters, on the Enlightenment and the philosophes, are French orientated. The intervening chapters on the individual sciences are broader in outlook. This is an excellent introduction, with an equally useful bibliography, for anyone who wants a contemporary view of 18th century science in factual terms. Like other books in the Cambridge History of Science Series it is intended as a textbook; scientific readers should find its style familiar and sympathetic, and the author’s opinions trustworthy. M. B. Hall
The Tincal Trail: a History of Borax. By N. J. Travis and E. J. Cocks. Pp. xvi + 310. Harrap, London. 1984. f 70.95. Over the past few years I have read many industrial histories, but - for two good reasons - none more stimulating than this. First, much borax - traded in the distant past as tincal - comes from rhe remoter and wilder parts of the world: from the mountains of Tibet and the high Andes, from Death Valley in California. from the plain of Anatolia. Second, the two authors make a powerful combination. Norman Travis has a long experience of the borax industry, culminating in the chairmanship of RTZ Borax Ltd. and he is also a knowledgeable student of the history of chemistry. John
56
Cocks is a qualified historian and keen archaeologist; he. too. has much relevant industrial experience and was Secretary of the Imperial Smelting Corporation 1955-68. The early literature of borax, at least up to Mediaeval times, is confused because many writers did not distinguish it from other naturally occurring salts, such as natron. The introductory chapter is a masterly essay on the early history of borax. However, the greater part of the book is devoted to the history of the modern international borax industry, beginning with the discovery of the mineral in California in 1856. This deals clearly and comprehensively not only with the technical aspects of the industry such as the important new use of borax between the wars for the manufacture of heat-resisting glass - but the complex, and often devious, financial devices resorted to by some of the pioneers, such as F. M. Smith, to keep themselves in business. The authors’ long experience with company finance enables them to clarify this difficult area remarkably well. The text is exceedingly well documented, a consequence of the authors having had access to a mass of not easily accessible archival material. There are some excellent illustrations. and a well contrived index. A very enjoyable read at a very reasonable price. Trevor. I. Williams
George de Hevesy. By Hi/de Levy. Pp. 147. Adam Hilger, Bristol. 1985. f 15.00 @25.00). George de Hevesy (1885-1966) was a key figure in 20th century physical science. A founder of the isotope dilution technique for chemical analysis he was also co-discoverer of the element hafnium. Development of his tracer method had immense consequences for biological and medical sciences, and Hevesy received the Nobel Prize for chemistry in 1943. This account of his life and work by a former colleague offers a fascinating insight into the world of this very private man. No critical historical analysis, it nevertheless brings unusual glimpses of many of the fellow scientists who crowded his life: Rutherford, Paneth, and Bohr especially. From personal recollections the author has enlightening things to say about Hevesy’s methodology of science, his voluminous scientific output, and his attitude to the convulsive political upheavals of Europe between the Wars. She has drawn heavily on the large collections of his surviving letters in Berlin,,Copenhagen, and elsewhere. Her book will be essential reading for any wishing to discover how science grew in Europe at this crucially important time. Colin Russell
A History of the Nomenclature of Organic Chemistry. By Pieter E. Verkade (1891-7979). Edited by F. C. Aldetweireldt, B. J. T. Bos, L. Maat, P. J. Slootmaekers, and B. M. Wepster. Pp. 507. Reidel, Dordrecht. 7985. Of/. 220 (f55.95). Anyone interested in the history of organic chemical nomenclature will be familiar with the sixteen articles by the late Professor Verkade in the Bulletin de la SociCte chimique de France published 1966-79. These have now been translated into English (excluding the portions in German and Italian) and edited by his colleagues as a book. It is a unique record by someone who had a key rBle in developing this subject for nearly fifty years, i.e. in nine of the sixteen chapters. This account is largely restricted to international efforts to standardise organic chemical nomenclature. It traces the changes from the Paris conference of 1889 (which led to the Geneva rutes of 1892); to the formation of the IUPAC and the Liege rules of 1930; and their revision to give sections A, B, C, and D of the ‘Blue Book’ (the trivial name for IUPAC Nomenclature of Organic Chemistry). Unfortunately Verkade’s death prevented any discussion of sections E, F, and H which are in the current (1979) Blue Book. Due to his involvement from 1927 to 1971 (including 37 years as Chairman of the IUPAC Commission on the Nomenclature of Organic Chemistry) in this work, Verkade is able to give a personal account based on his own detailed records, correspondence, draft documents, and recollections showing the evolution of much present day organic chemical nomenclature. This unique archive is now deposited with the University of Delft. The origin of the book from separate articles is reflected in a certain amount of duplication from one chapter to the next. Many of the references are to the relevant pages of previous articles but unfortunately these have not been converted into the corresponding page numbers in the book. A useful name index has been added but regrettably there is no subject index. As Verkade stresses several times, nomenclature is rarely ideal, but chemists tend to be conservative and dislike change. For anyone who is interested in why changes should be made only with great care, or why a single recommended name is not always desirable, this book should be consulted. It should be read by anyone before considering making new proposals or even documenting existing techniques. It is to be recommended to anyone interested in this subject. G. P. Moss
Science and the Enlightenment. By Thomas L. Hankins. Pp. 216. Cambridge University Press. 1985. Hard cover f20.00, Paperback f6.95. For the French it was the age of enlightenment, for the Germans the age of philosophy and literature, for the English the age of prose. reason, and the stuffy Hanoverians No wonder that the story of 18th century science has been relatively neglected by Anglophone historians. As Professor Hankins. best known for his large-scale study of D’Alembert, declares, this is arguably the first ‘general study’ of 18th century science since A. Wolf’s monumental History of Science, Technology and Philosophy (1939). Hankins’ aim is to bring the subject up-to-date in lesser compass, omitting technology (Watt’s name does not occur in the index) and philosophy (his Priestley is strictly a scientist). In this he has admirably succeeded. The first and last chapters, on the Enlightenment and the philosophes, are French orientated. The intervening chapters on the individual sciences are broader in outlook. This is an excellent introduction, with an equally useful bibliography, for anyone who wants a contemporary view of 18th century science in factual terms. Like other books in the Cambridge History of Science Series it is intended as a textbook; scientific readers should find its style familiar and sympathetic, and the author’s opinions trustworthy. M. B. Hall
The Tincal Trail: a History of Borax. By N. J. Travis and E. J. Cocks. Pp. xvi + 310. Harrap, London. 1984. f 70.95. Over the past few years I have read many industrial histories, but - for two good reasons - none more stimulating than this. First, much borax - traded in the distant past as tincal - comes from rhe remoter and wilder parts of the world: from the mountains of Tibet and the high Andes, from Death Valley in California. from the plain of Anatolia. Second, the two authors make a powerful combination. Norman Travis has a long experience of the borax industry, culminating in the chairmanship of RTZ Borax Ltd. and he is also a knowledgeable student of the history of chemistry. John
56
Cocks is a qualified historian and keen archaeologist; he. too. has much relevant industrial experience and was Secretary of the Imperial Smelting Corporation 1955-68. The early literature of borax, at least up to Mediaeval times, is confused because many writers did not distinguish it from other naturally occurring salts, such as natron. The introductory chapter is a masterly essay on the early history of borax. However, the greater part of the book is devoted to the history of the modern international borax industry, beginning with the discovery of the mineral in California in 1856. This deals clearly and comprehensively not only with the technical aspects of the industry such as the important new use of borax between the wars for the manufacture of heat-resisting glass - but the complex, and often devious, financial devices resorted to by some of the pioneers, such as F. M. Smith, to keep themselves in business. The authors’ long experience with company finance enables them to clarify this difficult area remarkably well. The text is exceedingly well documented, a consequence of the authors having had access to a mass of not easily accessible archival material. There are some excellent illustrations. and a well contrived index. A very enjoyable read at a very reasonable price. Trevor. I. Williams
George de Hevesy. By Hi/de Levy. Pp. 147. Adam Hilger, Bristol. 1985. f 15.00 @25.00). George de Hevesy (1885-1966) was a key figure in 20th century physical science. A founder of the isotope dilution technique for chemical analysis he was also co-discoverer of the element hafnium. Development of his tracer method had immense consequences for biological and medical sciences, and Hevesy received the Nobel Prize for chemistry in 1943. This account of his life and work by a former colleague offers a fascinating insight into the world of this very private man. No critical historical analysis, it nevertheless brings unusual glimpses of many of the fellow scientists who crowded his life: Rutherford, Paneth, and Bohr especially. From personal recollections the author has enlightening things to say about Hevesy’s methodology of science, his voluminous scientific output, and his attitude to the convulsive political upheavals of Europe between the Wars. She has drawn heavily on the large collections of his surviving letters in Berlin,,Copenhagen, and elsewhere. Her book will be essential reading for any wishing to discover how science grew in Europe at this crucially important time. Colin Russell
A History of the Nomenclature of Organic Chemistry. By Pieter E. Verkade (1891-7979). Edited by F. C. Aldetweireldt, B. J. T. Bos, L. Maat, P. J. Slootmaekers, and B. M. Wepster. Pp. 507. Reidel, Dordrecht. 7985. Of/. 220 (f55.95). Anyone interested in the history of organic chemical nomenclature will be familiar with the sixteen articles by the late Professor Verkade in the Bulletin de la SociCte chimique de France published 1966-79. These have now been translated into English (excluding the portions in German and Italian) and edited by his colleagues as a book. It is a unique record by someone who had a key rBle in developing this subject for nearly fifty years, i.e. in nine of the sixteen chapters. This account is largely restricted to international efforts to standardise organic chemical nomenclature. It traces the changes from the Paris conference of 1889 (which led to the Geneva rutes of 1892); to the formation of the IUPAC and the Liege rules of 1930; and their revision to give sections A, B, C, and D of the ‘Blue Book’ (the trivial name for IUPAC Nomenclature of Organic Chemistry). Unfortunately Verkade’s death prevented any discussion of sections E, F, and H which are in the current (1979) Blue Book. Due to his involvement from 1927 to 1971 (including 37 years as Chairman of the IUPAC Commission on the Nomenclature of Organic Chemistry) in this work, Verkade is able to give a personal account based on his own detailed records, correspondence, draft documents, and recollections showing the evolution of much present day organic chemical nomenclature. This unique archive is now deposited with the University of Delft. The origin of the book from separate articles is reflected in a certain amount of duplication from one chapter to the next. Many of the references are to the relevant pages of previous articles but unfortunately these have not been converted into the corresponding page numbers in the book. A useful name index has been added but regrettably there is no subject index. As Verkade stresses several times, nomenclature is rarely ideal, but chemists tend to be conservative and dislike change. For anyone who is interested in why changes should be made only with great care, or why a single recommended name is not always desirable, this book should be consulted. It should be read by anyone before considering making new proposals or even documenting existing techniques. It is to be recommended to anyone interested in this subject. G. P. Moss