Page 31 - Encyclopedia of Chemical Compounds 3 Vols

Timeline of the Development of Chemical Compounds

1904 • German physicist Wilhelm Hallwachs discovers that a
combination of copper metal and copper(I) oxide displays
the photoelectric effect.
1910 • The first plant for the manufacture of rayon in the
United States is built. By 1925 rayon becomes more
popular than silk.
1910 • Japanese scientist Suzuki Umetaro discovers thiamine.

1912 • Nicotinic acid is first isolated by Polish-American bio-
chemist Casimir Funk.

1914–1917 • Ethylene glycol is manufactured for use in World
War I in explosives and as a solvent.

1914–1918 • A shortage of sugar during World War I leads
to the reintroduction of saccharin to sweeten food.
Saccharin production would boom again during World
War II.
Late 1910s • Mustard gas is first used in war. Later it is
found to be effective in treating cancer in experimental
animals.

1922 • Vitamin E is discovered by two scientists at the Uni-
versity of California at Berkeley.

1905
Einstein 1912 1919 1922
formulates The Titanic First man made Soviet Union
the theory of sinks on her 1914 1918 nuclear reaction comes into
relativity. maiden voyage. World War I occurs. existance.
. . . . .

1910 1915 1920

xxx CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS