Arthur Eichengrün

A. Eichengr%C3%BCn ca1900

Arthur Eichengrün (August 13, 1867 – December 23, 1949) was a German chemist and industrialist. He is best known for his work in the development of aspirin and the invention of cellulose acetate, a crucial material in the production of photographic film and synthetic fibers.

Early Life and Education

Arthur Eichengrün was born in Aachen, Kingdom of Prussia, which is now part of Germany. He studied chemistry at the University of Aachen and later at the University of Berlin, where he earned his doctorate in 1895.

Career

Eichengrün began his career at the pharmaceutical company Bayer AG, where he worked on the synthesis of various chemical compounds. In 1897, he was involved in the development of aspirin, a widely used analgesic and anti-inflammatory drug. Although Felix Hoffmann is often credited with the discovery of aspirin, Eichengrün claimed that he was the one who directed Hoffmann's work and recognized the potential of the compound.

In addition to his work on aspirin, Eichengrün made significant contributions to the field of polymer chemistry. He invented cellulose acetate, which became an important material for the production of photographic film, synthetic fibers, and other products. He founded the Cellon-Werke company to manufacture cellulose acetate and other chemical products.

Persecution and Later Life

As a Jewish scientist, Eichengrün faced persecution during the Nazi regime. He was arrested in 1943 and interned in the Theresienstadt concentration camp until the end of World War II. After the war, he returned to his work but never fully regained his former prominence.

Legacy

Arthur Eichengrün's contributions to chemistry, particularly in the development of aspirin and cellulose acetate, have had a lasting impact on both medicine and industry. Despite the controversies surrounding the credit for aspirin's invention, his work remains highly regarded in the scientific community.

Related Pages

• Aspirin
• Felix Hoffmann
• Bayer AG
• Cellulose acetate
• Theresienstadt concentration camp
• Polymer chemistry