%0 Journal Article
%T From Chemistry for the People to the Wonders of Technology: The Popularization of Chemistry in the Netherlands during the Nineteenth Century
%A Ernst Homburg
%J Hyle : International Journal for Philosophy of Chemistry
%D 2006
%I HYLE Publications, Karlsruhe and University of Karlsruhe
%X This article analyzes phases in the production of popular Dutch chemistry books in terms of their audiences and the character of the texts. While the first popular chemistry books (1809-1815), which were directed to women, youngsters, and common people, contained moralistic and physico-theological contemplations, these were absent in books that between 1830 and 1844 diffused 'useful knowledge' among the working classes. The next period (1845-1864) was a hey-day, which also marked the end of the old style of popularization of chemistry. After 1865 the number of popular chemistry books dropped considerably, as a result of (a) the professionalization of chemistry; (b) the introduction of chemistry as a school subject; and (c) the separation between science and religion. Until 1900 chemical technology became almost the exclusive focus of popular chemistry texts.
%K philosophy of chemistry
%K popularization of chemistry
%K popular chemistry books
%K Netherlands
%K 19th century
%K Gerrit Jan Mulder
%K Jan Willem Gunning
%U http://www.hyle.org/journal/issues/12-2/homburg.pdf