Carl von Reichenbach, German Chemist

Carl Ludwig von Reichenbach (February 12, 1788 - January 1869) was a chemist, geologist, metallurgist, naturalist, industrialist and philosopher, and a member of the prestigious Prussian Academy of Sciences. His position as the head of the large chemical works, iron furnaces and machine shops on the estate of Count Hugo allowed him to conduct large-scale experimental research. From 1830 to 1834 he investigated complex products of the distillation of organic substances such as coal and wood tar, discovering a number of valuable hydrocarbon compounds including creosote, paraffin, eupione and phenol (antiseptics), pittacal and cidreret (synthetic dyestuffs), picamar (a perfume base), assamar, capnomor, and others. In 1839 he retired from industry and entered upon an investigation of the pathology of the human nervous system. He studied neurasthenia, somnambulism, hysteria and phobia, crediting reports that these conditions were affected by the moon. He dedicated himself to research an unproved field of energy combining electricity, magnetism and heat, emanating from all living things, which he called the Odic force. He died in 1869 at the age of 80. This image has been color-enhanced

Restrictions Only for Ireland and United Kingdom

Chemistry Creosote Discovered Freiherr Geologist Industrialist Metallurgist Naturalist Paraffin Phenol Reichenbach

Features In These Collections

> Contributors > PHR