The Legacy of Thomas Midgley Jr.: Innovation or Catastrophe?
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Chapter 1: Introduction to a Controversial Figure
You may not recognize the name Thomas Midgley Jr., yet his inventions have likely touched your life or that of your parents.
Photo by Jon Sailer on Unsplash
Did you ever have to memorize the periodic table? If not, consider yourself fortunate. Although I have a fondness for science, chemistry was never my strongest suit. Many years ago, there was a student who carried a periodic table wherever he went—not Einstein, but another influential figure born a decade later, whose innovations rivaled Einstein's contributions.
The Troubling Legacy of Lead
Lead poisoning has been recognized for centuries as a significant occupational hazard. Hippocrates, the ancient Greek physician famed for the Hippocratic oath still taken by medical students today, noted in 370 B.C. that metal workers exhibited symptoms of colic, or stomach upset.
In subsequent centuries, another Greek doctor documented that lead exposure could result in paralysis, delirium, and various gastrointestinal issues. The Roman architect Vitruvius warned that lead fumes could "rob the limbs of the virtues of the blood." Despite knowing these dangers, affluent Romans regularly consumed lead, often unknowingly, through food and drink.
Fast forward to the 18th century, when Benjamin Franklin cautioned against lead exposure based on his experiences in a London printing house. By the 19th century, Charles Dickens also addressed lead poisoning in his works. Yet, despite centuries of evidence of lead's toxicity, the burgeoning automotive sector was intrigued by lead’s ability to mitigate engine knocking when used as a fuel additive.
Section 1.1: Tackling Engine Knocking
In the early automotive era, mechanical issues abounded, one of which was known as "engine knocking." This phenomenon occurs when fuel ignites prematurely, outside the designated combustion area within the engine.
In 1916, Charles Kettering, president of Dayton Electric Light Co. (DELCO), enlisted researcher Thomas Midgley to address engine knocking in DELCO’s electric generators. A few years later, DELCO was acquired by General Motors, and both men continued their work there.
On December 3, 1921, researchers at GM's laboratories in Dayton, Ohio, unveiled the anti-knock properties of tetraethyl lead (TEL), a substance they discovered could be mixed into gasoline. Within two years, leaded fuel was being pumped into countless American cars, a clear indication that the public was unaware of the historical dangers associated with lead.
In December 1922, Midgley was honored with the prestigious William H. Nichols Medal from the American Chemical Society. However, he would soon face dire consequences as the health impacts of his innovation became evident.
The first video discusses Thomas Midgley Jr., portraying him as one of the most dangerous inventors in history. It explores the repercussions of his work on leaded gasoline and its impact on public health.
Section 1.2: The Cost of Innovation
Leaded gasoline made its debut in February 1923. By September of that year, the first known death from TEL poisoning occurred. Over the next year, several workers succumbed to similar fates, culminating in a public outcry.
On October 30, 1924, at a press conference, Midgley famously poured TEL over his hands and inhaled its vapors, boldly claiming he could repeat this daily without suffering any ill effects. He attributed the recent worker injuries and fatalities to carelessness rather than lead poisoning.
Despite the mounting evidence, Midgley was released from his position at General Motors Chemical Corp in early 1925. However, he soon shifted his focus to developing a safer refrigerant for air conditioning and refrigeration systems.
Chapter 2: A New Refrigerant and Its Consequences
At that time, existing refrigerants were toxic and flammable, so Midgley identified a new compound, dichlorodifluoromethane—better known as Freon.
During a 1930 meeting of the American Chemical Society, Midgley showcased his invention by inhaling Freon and blowing out a candle, demonstrating its non-flammable properties. His flamboyant self-promotion earned him the prestigious Priestley Medal in 1941 and a presidency at the American Chemical Society.
Nevertheless, just as the dangers of leaded gasoline became apparent, so too did the environmental and health risks associated with CFCs.
The second video examines the unintended consequences of Midgley's inventions, highlighting how one man's pursuit of innovation led to catastrophic outcomes for millions.
Section 2.1: Midgley’s Tragic End
Ironically, Midgley’s ingenuity ultimately contributed to his demise. Paralyzed by polio in his later years, he engineered a harness to assist him in moving from his bed to his wheelchair. Tragically, this same device ended up strangling him in an accident, although some speculate it was suicide.
Upon Midgley's death in 1947, Kettering remarked on his contributions, stating, "Through experience, the layman will… testify his indebtedness to one who has contributed so greatly to more pleasant and efficient living." Such sentiments emphasize the irony of his legacy.