https://doi.org/10.15255/KUI.2020.021
Published: Kem. Ind. 70 (1-2) (2021) 49–56
Paper reference number: KUI-21/2020
Paper type: Review / History of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
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Praise and Defense of Chemistry in the Opus of Fran Bubanović

N. Raos

Abstract

The public image of chemistry is both positive and negative; positive because of its application in all human affairs (industry, agriculture, medicine, etc.), and negative for its connection with dangerous chemicals (explosives, poisons). Therefore, a good populariser of chemistry has not only to praise but also to defend chemistry to bring it forth to the common people. The fulfilment of both these requirements is clearly visible in the opus of the leading Croatian populariser of chemistry in the 20th century, Fran Bubanović (1883–1956), the first chemistry professor at the Zagreb School of Medicine (1917). He took pains to persuade the reader that chemistry is not dangerous and difficult to learn but rather a major vehicle for the progress of a nation, and especially an underdeveloped nation, as was Croatia in his time. In this contribution, the general causes of the fear of chemistry and chemicals (chemophobia) were also discussed.

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Keywords

alchemy, chemical warfare, chemophobia, environmental protection, popularization of science