1. 15:16 14th Dec 2011

    Tags: Anecdotal Chemistry

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    EMIL FISCHEREmil Fischer (1852-1919) studied with Adolph von Baeyer and ultimately became Professor at Berlin in 1892.  Fischer carried out important research on sugars, proteins (he devised the first rational synthesis of peptides), and heterocycles (for example, the  Fischer indole synthesis).  Fischer was a technical advisor to Kaiser Wilhelm.  The following story gives some indication of the authority that Fischer commanded in Germany.  It is said that one day he and the Kaiser were arguing questions of science policy, and the Kaiser sought to end debate by pounding his fist on the table, shouting “Ich bin der Kaiser!” (I am the King!) Fischer, not to be silenced, responded in kind: “Ich bin Fischer!”  Another story, perhaps apocryphal, attributes an important laboratory function to Fischer’s long flowing beard.  It was said that when a student had difficulty crystallizing a sugar derivative (some of which are notoriously difficult to crystallize), Fischer would shake his beard over the flask containing the recalcitrant compounds.  The accumulated seed crystals in his beard would fall into the flask and bring about the desired crystallization.  Fischer was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1902.¹  “Seed Crystals”?  75% Dander. (96+% of those tabs are anecdotal bits, I was not a good organic chemist.) ¹Loudon’s Organic Chemistry, p.1359

    EMIL FISCHER
    Emil Fischer (1852-1919) studied with Adolph von Baeyer and ultimately became Professor at Berlin in 1892.  Fischer carried out important research on sugars, proteins (he devised the first rational synthesis of peptides), and heterocycles (for example, the  Fischer indole synthesis).  Fischer was a technical advisor to Kaiser Wilhelm.  The following story gives some indication of the authority that Fischer commanded in Germany.  It is said that one day he and the Kaiser were arguing questions of science policy, and the Kaiser sought to end debate by pounding his fist on the table, shouting “Ich bin der Kaiser!” (I am the King!) Fischer, not to be silenced, responded in kind: “Ich bin Fischer!”  Another story, perhaps apocryphal, attributes an important laboratory function to Fischer’s long flowing beard.  It was said that when a student had difficulty crystallizing a sugar derivative (some of which are notoriously difficult to crystallize), Fischer would shake his beard over the flask containing the recalcitrant compounds.  The accumulated seed crystals in his beard would fall into the flask and bring about the desired crystallization.  Fischer was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1902.¹ 

    “Seed Crystals”?  75% Dander.

    (96+% of those tabs are anecdotal bits, I was not a good organic chemist.)

    ¹Loudon’s Organic Chemistry, p.1359