Historically and in modern times, when a fabric is to be dyed a color, it was either dipped into the dye, or the dye was applied to the fabric (like Indian “batik”). Many fabrics like cotton need a chemical aid to make the dye adhere and stay. A “mordant”, called …
.. in the development of dyes under the leadership of August Wilhelm von Hoffman of Germany at the Royal College of Chemistry in England in 1845. He trained chemists including William Perkin who accidentally discovered the first synthetic dye called “mauve”. While “mauve” was only popular a short while, it …
… like “Scheele’s Green” which was made with arsenic, and killed the wearer or anyone who breathed in, touched, or came near a dress, shoes, gloves, flowers, or anything dyed with it. (Photo: 1860’s “Arsenic Green” day dress)
… because it was during the 1850’s that they were developed. The textile industry at the time was booming, and the increased demand for cost effective, easy to produce and replicate and apply dyes were in great demand. The economic limitations in growing, gather, harvesting, and processing natural dyes on …
.. different tints or shades of a particular color. For example, magnesium mordants made and make alizarin dyes have a purple hue. (photo: natural dye variety on cotton with alum mordant)
..we have been discussing the development of synthetic dyes that started somewhat accidentally from the search for a cheaper way to make indigo than growing plants. With the rise of the new synthetic dyes, came the ability to adjust color of natural or synthetic dyes with the use of chemicals …
.. historical examples below. Note the consistency in the color regardless of the fabric or yarn used. (Featured: mixing natural indigo dye)
1875-76: Chrysoidine 1st type of Azo dye 1876: Methyl Blue 1877: Malachite Green 1878: Biebrich Scarlet, Pure Red (acid dye as bright as cochineal for the first time) 1878: Synthetic Indigo – marketed in 1897 1900 forward – 1 to 2 new ones introduced each year to present day (Indigo …
1866: Methyl Violet 1868: Synthetic Madder called alizarin 1872: Methyl Green – still in use today 1873: Sulpher Brown (Photo: 1868 American dyed indigo – natural)
.. includes the new “indigo” which is used for blue jeans today. Most of the aniline dyes were named for war skirmishes in Europe. 1858: magenta by Vergoon 1861: Methylviolet by Lauth 1862: Hofmann’s Violet 1862: Bismarck Brown by Martus and Lightfoot – the first water soluble dye 1863: Black …
