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History of chemistry

Chemistry has a history that continues to be written every day. The rapid development of the natural sciences, and therefore also of chemistry, presents society with new challenges. Only those who know their history can successfully shape the future, because the progress of science is based not only on current research, but also on tradition. From the examples of the past, we learn to moderate technological and knowledge leaps in such a way that they take people with them and provide the best benefits for society.
Shortlink to this page: www.gdch.de/geschichte
We are a dedicated community of around 400 chemists, historians of science, teachers and students interested in the rich history of chemistry.
Our tasks are:
In order to achieve this, we promote contacts and exchanges of experience among members and with colleagues abroad. We organise a Conference on the history of chemistry every two years at different locations, publish the Mitteilungen as a publication organ for chemical history papers and support the work of the GDCh Commission "Historical Sites of Chemistry". We work closely with other GDCh Divisions, in particular the JCF (JungesChemieForum), the FG Chemieunterricht and the Senior Expert Chemists.
The Board consists of the Chairman, his deputy and at least one but no more than five assessors.
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The five-ball apparatus developed by Justus Liebig in 1830 simplified chemical elemental analysis and enabled research-based laboratory teaching. The instrument, also known as the potassium apparatus, soon became an international symbol of the chemical profession's self-image. Anyone interested in the operation and performance of the five-ball apparatus should refer to: Melvyn Usselman, Alan Rocke, Christina Reinhart, Kelly Foulser, "Restaging Liebig. A Study in the Replication of Experiments", Annals of Science 62 (2005), 1-55.
19.03. - 20.03., Lübeck
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Thu, 19 March 2026, 4:30 pm, Lübeck
Agenda
FG History of chemistry more
In cooperation with the Division of History of Chemistry
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GDCh programme to honour achievements in chemistry of historical significance since 1999
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Declaration of the historical Divisions of the German Natural Science Societies
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GDCh Office
Dipl.-Biol. Nicole Bürger
+49 69 7917-231