The following paragraphs are from a draft of an essay about the invention of the first synthetic dye. Arrange the paragraphs in the most logical order to create a coherent essay.
- 1In the spring of 1856, eighteen-year-old chemistry student William Henry Perkin was working in his home laboratory in London. He was attempting to synthesize quinine, a scarce drug used to treat malaria. Instead of the clear medicine he hoped for, his chemical reactions yielded a dark, sticky sludge at the bottom of his beaker.
- 2Intrigued by this dark residue, Perkin decided to analyze it further rather than discard it. When he diluted the substance with alcohol, he noticed it left a brilliant purple stain on silk fabric. He immediately recognized the potential of this accidental creation, as a durable purple dye was highly sought after by textile manufacturers.
- 3This new purple substance, which he eventually patented as "mauveine," quickly became a global fashion sensation. Prior to this discovery, dyes were derived exclusively from natural sources like plants and insects, making vibrant colors expensive and prone to fading. Perkin's synthetic alternative was not only cheap to produce but also remarkably colorfast, sparking a Victorian craze for purple garments.
- 4Building on the commercial success of his invention, Perkin left his academic studies to establish the world’s first factory dedicated to synthetic dye production. His entrepreneurial venture proved that valuable organic compounds could be manufactured artificially, laying the groundwork for the modern chemical industry.
Answer
The correct order of paragraphs is: first the introduction of Perkin's experiment (item_B), then his analysis of the dark residue (item_D), followed by the rise of the purple substance mauveine (item_A), and finally the establishment of his dye factory (item_C).
The correct sequence begins with the introduction of William Henry Perkin and his 1856 experiment that resulted in a dark, sticky sludge (item_B). The next paragraph must be the one that begins with 'Intrigued by this dark residue' (item_D), which connects directly to the sludge and describes how he discovered it dyed silk purple. This is followed by the paragraph introducing 'This new purple substance' named mauveine and its commercial success (item_A). The final paragraph is the one that starts with 'Building on the commercial success of his invention' (item_C), which summarizes his departure from studies to build a factory, representing the logical conclusion of the narrative.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Paragraph Reordering and Placement
Estimated Time:1m 30s