Kosmos All-Chemist Chemistry Set

In the early 20th century companies like the Porter Chemical Company and A. C. Gilbert began to manufacture and sell chemistry laboratories and kits. Originally marketed as educational toys for young boys, these sets quickly became known as the perfect birthday or Christmas gift, as they promised magic for the user and served as a first step toward a future career in science for many. By the mid-1950s—the height of chemistry sets’ popularity—there were numerous companies providing sets, and there was hardly a child in the United States who did not own or want one.

Chemistry sets began to lose popularity in the 1960s when concerns over safety began to rise and a general feeling of distrust of anything chemical began to emerge in society. Eventually chemistry sets disappeared from shelves, only to reemerge in the late 1980s as public interest in science began to grow again. Chemistry sets today generally do not contain as many chemicals (if they contain any at all) and contain much simpler experiments.

In the early 20th century companies like the Porter Chemical Company and A. C. Gilbert began to manufacture and sell chemistry laboratories and kits. Originally marketed as educational toys for young boys, these sets quickly became known as the perfect birthday or Christmas gift, as they promised magic for the user and served as a first step toward a future career in science for many. By the mid-1950s—the height of chemistry sets’ popularity—there were numerous companies providing sets, and there was hardly a child in the United States who did not own or want one.

Chemistry sets began to lose popularity in the 1960s when concerns over safety began to rise and a general feeling of distrust of anything chemical began to emerge in society. Eventually chemistry sets disappeared from shelves, only to reemerge in the late 1980s as public interest in science began to grow again. Chemistry sets today generally do not contain as many chemicals (if they contain any at all) and contain much simpler experiments.

Gilbert Lab Technician Set for Girls

Manuscript from the Régie des poudres [Gunpowder Administration] signed by directors Le Faucheux, Le Faucheux Desaunois, and Antoine Laurent Lavoisier

Instruction sur l'établissement des nitrières et sur la fabrication du salpêtre, publiée par ordre du roi, par les Régisseurs généraux des Poudres & Salpêtres (Paris : De l'Imprimerie Royale, 1777)

Prix extraordinaire proposé par l'Académie Royale des Sciences [sur la fabrication de salpeter], pour l'année 1778

Description des expériences de la machine aérostatique de MM. de Montgolfier (Paris: Cuchet, 1783).

Rapport des commissaires chargés par le roi de l'examen du magnétisme animal imprimé par ordre du roi (Paris: L'Imprimerie royale, 1784).

 Expériences et observations sur l'électricité faites à Philadelphie en Amérique par M. Benjamin Franklin & communiquées dans plusieurs lettres à M. P. Collinson, de la Societé Royale de Londre (2 vols., Paris: Durand, 1756).

Rice University paperweight commemorating the 1996 Nobel Prize in Chemistry

Later sets like this one feature plastic labware instead of glass and contain few chemicals. Users are expected to acquire any additional chemicals on their own, as new regulations forbid the transport of potentially harmful chemicals or those known to be used in the making of drugs or explosives.

In the early 20th century, companies like the Porter Chemical Company and A. C. Gilbert began to manufacture and sell chemistry laboratories and kits. Originally marketed as educational toys for young boys, these sets quickly became known as the perfect birthday or Christmas gift, as they promised magic for the user and served as a first step toward a future career in science for many. By the mid-1950s—the height of chemistry sets’ popularity—there were numerous companies providing sets, and there was hardly a child in the United States who did not own or want one.

Chemistry sets began to lose popularity in the 1960s when concerns over safety began to rise and a general feeling of distrust of anything chemical began to emerge in society. Eventually chemistry sets disappeared from shelves, only to reemerge in the late 1980s as public interest in science began to grow again. Chemistry sets today generally do not contain as many chemicals (if they contain any at all) and contain much simpler experiments.

Actuator for the AP2 Supersonic Laser Vaporization Cluster-Beam Apparatus

Flange for the AP2 Supersonic Laser Vaporization Cluster-Beam Apparatus

Component for the AP2 Supersonic Laser Vaporization Cluster-Beam Apparatus

Beam Source for the AP2 Supersonic Laser Vaporization Cluster-Beam Apparatus

Bi Ra Model 5301 ADC Digitizer Component for the AP2 Supersonic Laser Vaporization Cluster-Beam Apparatus

LeCroy Waveform Digitizer Component for the AP2 Supersonic Laser Vaporization Cluster-Beam Apparatus

Skimmer for the AP2 Supersonic Laser Vaporization Cluster-Beam Apparatus

Zenith Royal Hearing Aid

Zenith Royal Hearing Aid

Soviet Union Excellent Worker in Chemical Dept. Badge

Set of 12 painted lead soldiers

5 Vials of Litmus Paper

Seederer Kohlbusch Large Chainomatic Balance

Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company Ammeter

Ernst Leitz, Wetzlar Type “C” Medium-Sized Research Microscope

Bausch & Lomb Duboscq-Type Colorimeter

White Nylon Valve

Otto Tachenius, Hippocrates chymicus (1677)

Donato d’Eremita, Dell' elixir vitae (1624)