History of chemistry

Who we are - What we do

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

Tasks and goals

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:

To stimulate and maintain interest in and understanding of the history of chemistry
To encourage research into the history of chemistry
To promote engagement with the history of chemistry at universities
To stimulate interest in the local history of chemistry
Promote the use of historical topics in school lessons
Make the history of chemistry accessible to the general public
Support museums and exhibitions on the history of chemistry
Raise awareness of the importance of estates.

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 specialist groups, especially the JCF (JungesChemieForum), the FG Chemieunterricht and the Seniorexperten Chemie.

Description of the specialised group logo

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 self-image of the chemical profession. 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.

Free membership for students

History of Chemistry 2026 lecture conference

19.03. - 20.03., Lübeck
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Lecture programmes

FG History of Chemistry more

Book series "Lifetime achievements in chemistry"

Homepage
Flyer

JCF podcast "Rethinking Chemistry - How did people do research in the past?"

In cooperation with the Department of History of Chemistry
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Historical sites of chemistry

GDCh programme to honour achievements in chemistry of historical significance since 1999
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Downloads

Fachgruppenflyer
Geschäftsordnung
Wahlordnung

Strong professorships for the history of science

Declaration of the historical specialist groups of the natural science societies of Germany
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Contact us

GDCh Head Office
Dipl.-Biol. Nicole Bürger
+49 69 7917-231
n.buerger@gdch.de

Publications

News from the History of Chemistry Division
Newsletters from the History of Chemistry Division
Milestones in chemistry
From school year to school year - highlights from the history of chemistry
Witness reports

Management Board

The Executive Board consists of the Chairman, his deputy and at least one but no more than five assessors. more

Ongoing & completed projects

Lecture programmes
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Events
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Industriekreis (abgeschlossen)
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Prizes and honours

Bettina Main Sponsorship Award for the History of Chemistry

Paul Bunge Prize of the Hans R. Jenemann Foundation

Chemistry for a better world