Connections 7 -connections theongchainree-2-02s 1936

Documentary, Connections 7 -connections theongchainree-2-02s 1936
"The Long Chain" is the seventh episode of the original 1978 documentary television series Connections, created, written, and presented by science historian James Burke. The series and episode are based on the premise of exploring the unexpected links between various historical events, inventions, and people that led to the development of modern technology.
Summary of "The Long Chain"
This episode traces a technological path from 17th-century mercantile competition to modern synthetic materials like nylon.
The key connections explored include:
Mercantile Competition and Ship Hulls: The need for a way to protect wooden ship hulls from rot and barnacles in the 17th century led to experiments with various coatings.
Coal Tar Pitch and Waterproofing: The development of a specific coal-tar pitch as a sealant and preservative for ships led to related innovations in using similar materials for waterproofing other items, such as clothing.
Gas Lighting: Byproducts from the production of this coal-tar material were eventually refined and utilized in the development of the first gas lighting systems for cities.
Synthetic Dyes and Plastics: Further chemical exploration of coal-tar derivatives later led to the accidental discovery of the first synthetic dyes by William Perkin, which in turn opened the door to the synthetic organic chemical industry, eventually including the creation of plastics and materials like nylon.
Burke highlights how the seemingly unrelated drive to keep ships at sea for longer periods ultimately resulted in the creation of many modern materials we use today.