Creating ink for both the printed and handwritten page, as well as preserving it, has a long history in which chemistry plays an integral part. Some historic inks have started to destroy the pages they’re printed on. Other books and manuscripts have been damaged as a result of older conservation practices that place more emphasis on looks than historic accuracy.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits 00:31 Introduction 01:22 Element of the Week: Copper 03:09 Rare book tour with Ronald Brashear and Glen Ruzicka 08:43 Chemistry in Your Cupboard: Secret Inks 10:46 Quote: Vladimir Nabokov

CREDITS

Special thanks to Anke Timmermann for researching this show. Additional credits available at distillations.org.

Episode 6: The Chemistry of Texts