Slippery subject matter
This next bit is slippery. Soapy, if you wish. We live in modern times, and we do take keeping things clean very seriously. Suds in the sink, if you will. Spend a small fortune with the chemical industry. And I don’t actually understand the processes involved.
I blame a series of high school teachers. Too much time spent calculating valences and bonds. Not nearly enough work on the practical side of the field. No matter. Most of the material is just foam in the strreams of the world.
So, how about a little history? There are people around here that can explain how to “make soap”; saw some artisanal efforts in the bathroom. And since my ancestors had access to animal fats and wood ashes, I suspect they also had a basic grasp of the “how to”. Didn’t pass it on to me. I just go to the appropriate aisle in the market, and look for economy.
As I started to read, I learned that the very first patent was in the soap world. Or was it glass? Or gunpowder? Are these related? Again, I blame my education. Nice people, those science teachers, but a little light on useful content. Avrogadro’s Number? Pfft. No wonder we all gasped in amazement when th first pocket calculators were seen.
Actually, I did learn not to randomly mix household chemicals. That is a good thing, and should be part of every science course. Think of the children! And that threat to wash out your mouth with soap? So dangerous, I now realize.
