Bright Colours from the Past

The invention of Mauveine by Perkin in 1856 led to a revolution in the world of textile

dyeing. In the second half of the 19th century, natural dyes were quickly replaced by newly developed synthetic dyes which resulted in a bright palette of colours. The synthetic dyes were not only cheaper to produce, but also easier to apply on textiles due to new dyeing mechanisms. As a result, production costs decreased tremendously and brilliantly dyed textiles became available to the larger public. The introduction of synthetic dyes had a strong impact in fashion; in addition, these colourants were also used as stains on furniture, as inks and in paints.

In this publication, the development of these vivid colourants is presented. It brings together information about the history of synthetic dyes, including the first attempts, the so-called semi-synthetic dyes, and presenting the most relevant dyes and dye classes, such as nitro dyes, tri-arylmethanes, azo dyes, xanthenes, sulfur dyes, synthetic alizarin and synthetic indigo. It contains a wealth of information regarding the numerous synonyms, trade names, manufacturers and patents. International trade and competition, which was fierce, are discussed. The chemistry behind the synthetic dyeing is explained, including new dyeing technologies developed. The application of dyes and their fastness properties are also presented. An overview of analytical techniques used for characterisation is given. Many case studies are included, expressing the importance of the dyes and the creativity of mankind when applying these colourants.

As such, this publication can be seen as a colourful journey through history, relevant for conservators, curators, historians, chemists and all who are interested in the history and development of synthetic dyes.