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The article offers information on the discovery of maveine by William Perkin. It says that a reddish brown was formed when Perkin tried to produce quinine and noticed a colored solution which he first took as a failed experiment. It mentions that Perkin filed a patent for producing a new coloring matter for the dyeing with a lilac or purple colors of silk, cotton, wool and other materials. It includes the method and information on how to dye materials and where the mauveine derives its name.

Today we cannot imagine our lives without a variety of colours. Every colour we see, consume, enjoy, apply and use wherever we need has a dye associated with it. More than 90% of the thousands of dyes used now are synthetic. A little more than 150 years ago a handful of dyes of only natural origin were available. In 1856 the era of synthetic dyes was ushered in by a spirited young chemist, William Henry Perkin, when he was trying to synthesize quinine, but obtained a coloured substance instead. It was a much desired colour and therefore became an instant hit. The following is an account of Perkin's life as a chemist and an industrialist par excellence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on the 150th anniversary of the seminal discovery of a synthetic color mauve by Sir William Perkin in 2006. His academic and career background; Efforts of Perkin to make a synthetic quinine; Importance of Perkin's work to the pharmaceutical industry.

The article focuses on the development of mauve dye discovered by chemist William Perkin in London, England. Perkin attempted to use an aniline derivative to make quinine by oxidation. It shows that the reaction produced a reddish sludge. He tested the colored compound on silk. He decided to establish a small factory to manufacture the mauve dye.