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ArchivesRe: question about an origin...not a name...(m)
in reply to a message by Zara
"My question is what common use did people once have for sulfuric acid that it would become part of the common language. Jules and Jim was set in about 1900 or so. Any leads about this would be appreciated. One of those questions I have been wondering about for years. Thanks."
****** Sulfuric acid was a discovery of the Middle Ages, purported to have been made by alchemists. Prior to that, the strongest acid available was acetic acid -- or vinegar -- which, along with human urine, was used in the tanning and dying industries. Sulfuric acid replaced these, as it made a more effective solution in which to soak leather hides for softening in the tanning process.
The medieval alchemists produced sulfuric acid by combining "green vitriol" with silica -- hence the interchangeable use of the words "vitriolic acid" and "sulfuric acid". The word "vitriol" itself comes from the Latin word "vitreus", meaning "made of glass; having a glass-like appearance". This is because vitriolic acid is see-through, like glass.
-- Nanaea
****** Sulfuric acid was a discovery of the Middle Ages, purported to have been made by alchemists. Prior to that, the strongest acid available was acetic acid -- or vinegar -- which, along with human urine, was used in the tanning and dying industries. Sulfuric acid replaced these, as it made a more effective solution in which to soak leather hides for softening in the tanning process.
The medieval alchemists produced sulfuric acid by combining "green vitriol" with silica -- hence the interchangeable use of the words "vitriolic acid" and "sulfuric acid". The word "vitriol" itself comes from the Latin word "vitreus", meaning "made of glass; having a glass-like appearance". This is because vitriolic acid is see-through, like glass.
-- Nanaea
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Replies
Thank you for your response. That is the only info about vitriolic acid I have ever been able to find either. I keep thinking there must have been some other household use for it. Not everyone would be doing their own hide tanning, especially in a city/town and the volumes required don't mesh with widespread use and the smaller apothecary type jars of the time. I don't know if the vitriolic acid just had some sort of symbolism in the movie I referred to. Just one of those things...thought I would ask it here. Thank you for your response.
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Not having seen *Jules & Jim*, I wouldn't know. Some one else here may know, though. Keep checking in with us. :)
-- Nanaea
-- Nanaea
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