Historic Chemistry Images

All historic images presented in this slideshow are provided courtesy of the Science History Institute in Philadelphia, PA. Scroll to the bottom of this page and click on the dots beneath the slideshow to return to specific images.

Two models stand on a piece of Styrofoam manufactured at Dow demonstrating its strength, 1949
This is an image of the Physical Properties Laboratory, 1949
Two chemists conferring with each other about the work of the electron microscope at Dow, 1952
A wider view of Plant Box 10 where Saran was produced, 1951
Display demonstrating Styrofoam used as Insulation, 1964
Styrofoam insulation exhibits, 1964
More recent advances in Styrofoam Insulation, 1990
A group of dolls with hair made from Saran, 1951
Man displaying properties of Saran Wrap, 1963
The microscope at Dow in the Metallurgy Laboratory in Midland is crucial
As a part of their marketing campaign images such as this one showed the light weight of Styrofoam, 1949
The implementation of Styrofoam Insulation in house construction, 1991
A variety of Saran Wrap Products, 1963
Laboratory staff working with radiation while using little safety protection, 1959
The Dow Agricultural Greenhouse was cared for by members of the chemical community, 1941
Sandwich bags produced by Dow Chemical
Woman in grocery store featuring Dow Chemical products including Saran Wrap
An unknown male employee working at the Dow Seal Beach, CA laboratory, 1952
Styrofoam product boxes were used to transport large amount of Styrofoam around the country, 1948
Woman reclining in a chair made of Dow Chemical products
Display highlighting Willard Dow and the Saran Wrap his company produced
Chemists monitoring the application of chemicals at Dow Seal Beach, CA, 1952
This electron microscope was highly important to the operations at Dow, 1950s
Here a woman is working diligently with Saran at Plant Box 10, 1944
Woman working with chemicals, pre-1928
Saran Wrap 1A, a way people could purchase Saran in stores , 1971
Male chemist working in a laboratory, 1920s
Saran being produced in mass, 1955
Early advertisement for Zip Loc bags made by Dow, 1965
A display of the many Saran product designs
An image of the Edgewood Arsenal, Maryland where chemicals were tested, 1919
A large group of women working in a laboratory
Woman chemist experimenting in a laboratory, 1920
In this portion of Plant Box 10 Saran Bubbles were created, 1951
An unknown woman working in a laboratory poses for a picture, 1920s
Chemist using rats for experiments at the Dow Biochemical building, 1952
Saran Squares were a common way to sell Saran to the public, 1968
Specialist working in the Aromatics Laboratory at Dow Chemical, 1955
An early image of Plant Box 7 Main, an important building in the operations of Dow, 1944
A portion of the Saran packing plant, 1955
Children admiring a Christmas tree made of Saran, 1964
Elephant carving named Ned Abby made completely of Styrofoam, 1980
"Anything Goes With Styrofoam" Advertisement, 1986
Chemist experimenting with the Saran Bubble, 1955
Styrofoam used as a construction adhesive was a popular building product, 1986
Chemist working in the Dow Biochemical building, 1952
Dow Chemical image celebrating the 40 year anniversary of the invention of Styrofoam, 1988
Early chemistry students explore the possibilities of science, 1910
A mannequin wearing Saran fabric clothing, 1951
Unidentified female employee using a pipette to transfer a solution at the Hercules Powder Company plant in Hopewell, Virginia, 1940s

Next Board Meeting Mar. 3rd

2025 Awards are now open

ACS Educational Videos Are Available!

Sign Up for Events and Volunteer Opportunities