Short Stuff: Scheele’s Green | Stuff You Should Know

Intro

In this episode of “Stuff You Should Know,” the hosts discuss Scheele’s Green, a toxic color that became popular in the 19th century. They explore the historical significance of the color, its toxic nature, and the tragic consequences it had on people’s health.

Main Takeaways

The Toxicity of Scheele’s Green

• Scheele’s Green was a highly toxic color discovered by Carl Wilhelm Scheele, a German-Swedish chemist and pharmaceutical chemist.
• Despite its toxicity, the color became popular due to its brilliant shade of green.
• The pigment used to create Scheele’s Green contained arsenic, making it a popular murder poison before the invention of the marsh test to detect arsenic poisoning.
• The color’s toxicity led to tragic consequences, causing the death of many people in horrific ways.

Arsenic Poisoning and its Effects

• Arsenic poisoning can present with symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, numbness, and tingling of the extremities.
• Long-term exposure to arsenic, over three to five years, can lead to lesions, changes in skin color, and the development of cancer.
• Arsenic was commonly used as a pigment despite its toxic nature, and there was a lack of awareness about the long-term effects of exposure.
• Scheele’s Green introduced the Victorian public to the idea of suffering consequences from long-term arsenic exposure.

Historical Significance of Scheele’s Green

• “Sheele’s Green” was a popular and vibrant color that took the world by storm in the 19th century, being used in clothing, beauty products, toys, and even postage stamps.
• The color was especially popular in smoggy, industrialized cities like Victorian London, where people longed for the natural greenery of rural life.
• However, it was later discovered that the pigment used to create “Sheele’s Green” contained toxic levels of arsenic, leading to serious health issues and even death.
• The death of a young artificial flower maker named Matilda Ward, who worked with the toxic pigment, sparked a public push to raise awareness about the dangers of “Sheele’s Green.”

Other Podcast Recommendations

• The podcast also features a four-part series on Elon Musk, where Walter Isaacson captures a vivid portrait of the polarizing genius.
• The “Col. K’s” podcast delves into cases like the Long Island serial killer, featuring insights from New York City’s finest detective, Joe Jekyll.

Summary

The Toxic Legacy of Scheele’s Green

Scheele’s Green, a toxic color discovered by Carl Wilhelm Scheele, gained popularity in the 19th century due to its vibrant shade of green. However, the color’s toxicity was due to the presence of arsenic in the pigment used to create it. This led to tragic consequences, including deaths caused by arsenic poisoning. The episode explores the historical significance of Scheele’s Green and sheds light on the lack of awareness about the long-term effects of arsenic exposure.

Arsenic Poisoning and its Effects

Arsenic poisoning can present with various symptoms, such as vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, numbness, and tingling of the extremities. Long-term exposure to arsenic can result in the development of lesions, changes in skin color, and even cancer. Despite its toxic nature, arsenic was commonly used as a pigment, and the Victorian public was introduced to the idea of suffering consequences from long-term arsenic exposure through Scheele’s Green.

The Rise and Fall of Scheele’s Green

Scheele’s Green became a popular color in the 19th century, finding its way into various products, including clothing, beauty products, toys, and postage stamps. The color’s popularity was particularly significant in industrialized cities like Victorian London, where people sought to bring a touch of natural greenery into their lives. However, the discovery of the toxic nature of Scheele’s Green, exemplified by the death of Matilda Ward, an artificial flower maker, led to a public outcry and raised awareness about the dangers of the color.

Fascinating Podcast Recommendations

In addition to the discussion on Scheele’s Green, the podcast also recommends other intriguing episodes. The four-part series on Elon Musk provides a comprehensive exploration of the polarizing genius, capturing his remarkable journey. The “Col. K’s” podcast, featuring New York City detective Joe Jekyll, delves into captivating cases such as the Long Island serial killer, offering unique insights into criminal investigations.

Conclusion

The episode on Scheele’s Green highlights the toxic legacy of a color that captivated the 19th-century public. It serves as a cautionary tale about the lack of awareness surrounding the long-term effects of exposure to toxic substances. Through engaging storytelling and thought-provoking discussions, “Stuff You Should Know” continues to educate and entertain its listeners.