Category Archives: Classic Kit

Anschütz’s manometer

Posted on April 24, 2013 by

Several years ago Alfred Bader, the founder of the Aldrich Chemical Company, who is also known for his interest in Dutch painting introduced me to the name of Richard Anschütz, a late 19th century organic chemist who was August Kékulé’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Classic Kit, mercury | 2 Comments

The Voice of Kenneth Hickman

Posted on January 8, 2012 by

One has to marvel at the wonder of the internet. A mere 24 hours after my post about Kenneth Hickman,  Andrew Davidhazy, who worked with  Hickman more than forty years ago, has unearthed and posted to YouTube a 10 minute … Continue reading →

Posted in Classic Kit, video | Tagged | 4 Comments

Van de Graaff

Posted on October 4, 2011 by

It’s that time of the month when the new Classic Kit is out – this time the Van de Graaff Generator. Van de Graaff. Not Van der Graaf – that’s the rock band of blessed memory. It’s not exactly standard … Continue reading →

Posted in Classic Kit | 3 Comments

Herbert McLeod and his gauge

Posted on September 8, 2011 by

When I first started writing the Classic Kit column I knew that the McLeod gauge was something that needed writing about. I mentioned it in passing in an earlier column on Sprengel but at the time I couldn’t find out … Continue reading →

Posted in Classic Kit, mercury, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Pardy’s Apparatus

Posted on April 1, 2011 by

Sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction and, for once, I get the chance to write about The Chemist as Hero – Герой нашего времени, if you like. A man so filled with talents that it leaves the rest of … Continue reading →

Posted in Classic Kit, stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

More Classic Kit – The Rotavap…..

Posted on March 11, 2011 by

It’s been a long time coming.  It had been on my list forever and for a while I talked to Büchi AG about writing a piece on the history of the rotavap – they were very keen, of course, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Classic Kit | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Töpler’s pump

Posted on January 13, 2011 by

This is a bit late, but the latest Classic Kit is about Töpler’s pump, a piece of kit I first came across in Bob Morris’ lab in Toronto when I first started doing research back in the Jurassic age. It’s … Continue reading →

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Classic Kit – The Movie

Posted on November 30, 2010 by

I’ve not posted anything in a while. That’s not for lack of enthusiasm – I’ve just been hellishly busy. I’m back. At least for today. I was invited earlier this year to give the very prestigious Royal Society of Chemistry … Continue reading →

Posted in Classic Kit, stories | Leave a comment

Gooch’s crucible and the Zen of the Mole

Posted on September 2, 2010 by

My monthly Classic Kit article has just been posted to the RSC’s website. It’s about Charles Austin Gooch, the inventor of the Gooch crucible. As usual I overshot my word limit by several hundred words and my poor editor Phillip … Continue reading →

Posted in Classic Kit, learning, teaching | Leave a comment

A little podcast – Elements 116/118

Posted on July 14, 2010 by

I’ve done a couple more podcasts for the Royal Society of Chemistry’s “Chemistry in its Element” series. The latest one to go online is about the mysterious elements 116 and 118. What the hell can one write about two elements … Continue reading →

Posted in Classic Kit, elements, stories | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment