N.C. Collection, University Libraries Steve Exum
N.C. Collection, University Libraries
sciences which investigates … the synthesis and analysis of matter.” That definition only scratches the surface of what chemistry involves today, said Maurice Bursey, but the question was a good starting point. Bursey, an award-winning professor emeritus of chemistry, wrote the departmental history Carolina Chemists, published in 1982 to celebrate the centennial of Venable’s arrival at UNC. Another book, seven years later, focused exclusively on Venable. Venable retired in 1930, but two of his students, John Motley Morehead and William Rand Kenan Jr., would go on to profoundly influence the trajectory of 20th-century American industry — as well as UNC’s way forward. After completing chemistry courses • TOP LEFT AND RIGHT: When Royce Murray arrived in 1960, faculty members were working in 1891, Morehead teamed with a Canain labs in the sprawling ranch-style Venable Hall. (Old) Venable was torn down in January dian inventor to seek an inexpensive 2008 to make way for (new) Venable. • BOTTOM: Chemistry graduate student Andrew way to produce pure aluminum. One Chan (with Bo Li) uses a blue-white screen to isolate mutant bacteria deficient in making an experiment created a dark, glassy rock — antibiotic. This method helps determine the bacterial genes involved in the synthesis of the calcium carbide. antibiotic, so that these genes can be used to guide the discovery of new antibiotics. When calcium carbide was placed in water, it released acetylene gas, and in 1893 was named to the first endowed chair at UNC, the when the colorless gas was mixed with air, it burned brightly, Mary Ann Smith Professorship, to “teach both the science of Venable and Kenan found. chemistry and its experimental application to the useful arts.” It would take several more years, but the perseverance In 1900, Venable moved from the chemistry department of Venable, Kenan and Morehead led to the world’s first in Person Hall to South Building, where he served as UNC’s commercial calcium carbide plant, which later became president for 14 years. During his tenure, Venable oversaw a Union Carbide. Acetylene is still used for welding and significant increase in both students and faculty. He returned metal cutting and as a raw material in the synthesis of many to the chemistry department as chair in 1914. organic chemicals and plastics. (For more on these “Kings of His exams always began with the question, “What is Chemistry,” visit endeavors.unc.edu/kings_of_chemistry.) continued chemistry?” The acceptable answer was: “that branch of
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