Some Nineteenth Century Chemistry Teaching Aids

TCE

The Chemical Educator

ISSN: 1430-4171 (electronic version)

Table of Contents

Abstract Volume 1 Issue 3 (1996), S1430-4171(96)01039-7

Some Nineteenth Century Chemistry Teaching Aids

William D. Williams

Harding University, Searcy, AR, USA

Published online: 5 August 1996

Abstract. Although nineteenth century chemistry was largely descriptive in content, students struggled with some of the same abstract concepts that trouble their modern counterparts. Invisible atoms, formulas, and chemical combinations have always been difficult topics for the beginner. We would expect the modern teacher to illustrate these ideas with models and charts, but what was used in those early classrooms? This paper describes four chemistry teaching aids marketed in the United States in the mid-1800s.

Key Words: Chemistry and History; teaching aids; atomic models; chart of chemistry; chemical atlas; history

(*) Corresponding author. (E-mail: wwilliams@harding.edu)

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