11.702 Views
Often, materials discovered by accident alter the course of the world. In the 1600s Dutch commercial freighters controlled Atlantic trade routes. Competing British lines induced America to produce pitch to protect hulls of their royal vessels. This arrangement lasted until 1776, after which a Scottish inventor tried to produce pitch from coal tar. By the time he succeeded the navy was using copper instead. Subsequent experiments with coal tar yielded gaslight lamps, waterproofed garments, a brilliant mauve dye that established the German chemical industry and nylon, the first of the miracle plastics.
First Air Date : Oct 17, 1978
Last Air date : Dec 19, 1978
Episode : 10 Episode
Season : 1 Season
Runtime: 50:60 minutes
Studio: BBC One
Country:
Cast: James Burke
Crew: James Burke (Writer)