In 1856, eighteen-year-old chemistry student William Henry Perkin was attempting to synthesize quinine, a treatment for malaria, in his home laboratory. Instead of obtaining the clear drug, his experiments yielded a dark, sticky sludge. Rather than discarding the failed mixture, Perkin investigated its properties and discovered that when diluted with alcohol, it produced a vibrant, long-lasting purple color. Historically, purple dye was harvested from the mucus of thousands of marine snails, rendering it so expensive that only royalty could afford it. Recognizing the commercial potential of his accidental creation, Perkin patented the substance as mauveine, the world's first synthetic dye, and opened a factory to mass-produce it.
The writer wants to add a concluding sentence to the paragraph that reinforces the significance of Perkin's transition from an accidental discovery to a commercial success. Which choice best accomplishes this goal?
- AQuinine, meanwhile, continued to be harvested from the bark of the cinchona tree in South America for many years.
- By making a once-exclusive color widely accessible, Perkin not only revolutionized the textile industry but also launched the modern chemical manufacturing sector.Cevap
- CPerkin became extremely wealthy from his invention, he retired at the age of thirty-six to focus entirely on private research.
- DNevertheless, purple clothing remained a rare novelty that consumers generally ignored in favor of traditional organic dyes.