Posted on 11/23/2013 8:47:19 AM PST by AdmSmith
The phrase “chemistry set” is embedded in the collective unconscious, but try to actually call one to mind. What does a chemistry set look like? What does it include? What can you do with it? If you’re anything close to being a millennial, you probably have only vague answers to these questions. If you’re a little older, however, you probably remember one of the classic sets that is responsible for our powerful (if nonspecific) connection to the concept of a chemistry set. Chief among these, in many people’s eyes, is the Gilbert Chemistry Set, which inspired untold numbers of young people to study chemistry.
Now a new Kickstarter wants to help adults and children alike recapture an excitement that most of them have never actually known. Research chemist John Kuhns has been making wood-box chemistry sets for years, mostly as gifts and small sales direct to friends and family, but now he wants to scale up the operation and bring the tools of real chemists back to the everyday home.
His Heirloom Chemistry Set is certainly focused on nostalgia more heavily than on affordability; with a box of birch including mahogany inlays, the set is hardly cheap, and is clearly meant to be kept visible within the house. This is half chemistry set, half personal statement.
Back in my day the real future chemists were studying math.
Thanks for the link. Of course they’ll be investigated for domestic terrorism/WOD.
PS - You should sneak GATTACA into your tagline.
The dream of every red blooded American kid was to discover some chemistry set concoction that would EXPLODE. That was certainly my quest and I threw all the stuff under the kitchen sink into the mix as well. Nothing worked, but burning sulfur poured over model airplanes was pretty neat.
Growing up, my brother had a chemistry sent...till one of his experiments went awry causing damage to the kitchen ceiling. LOL
But the chemistry set gave him a good foundation in science, which was essential to his ultimate career as an engineer.
Saw a really nice old one on Pawn Stars last night! From the 30s I think? You could make gunpowder with it!
a man after my own heart ;-) Disassembling fireworks and repackaging the contents proved to be a more efficient process ;-)
I had the BEST chemistry set ever. I don’t think it was a Gilbert...all the chemicals in mine were in test tubes with rubber stoppers and blue labels.
EBay skilcraft
Gilbert made the best stuff. The erector set was great
wasn’t dr frankenstein a chemist? we can create LIFE!!!!
We liked to build model cars, then blow them up with firecrackers. Actually, we liked to blow up anything with firecrackers but cars were especially fun. And I’m a girl!
“... some chemistry set concoction that would explode”.
I remember when my son was about four. I had shown him the neat trick of mixing baking soda and vinegar. So, Mr. Scientist had taken a gallon of vinegar and the BIG BOX of baking soda I had purchased at Costco. He emptied the baking soda and then the vinegar into the toilet. He then RAN... picking them up and putting them down in quick steps. I glanced around the corner to see FOAM emerging from the powder room. Long story short.. the toilet in its entirety had never been cleaner.
Getting closer. I’ll know it when I see it. I should just call my mother and make her run down to the basement. I’ll bet my ass they never threw it out. And now I want to play with it!
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