There is no doubt that science is the main driver of human, civil, social and economic progress. Just as there is no doubt that scientists, who are men and therefore not deprived of the defects and limitations of their fellow men, even when they are wrong they do so, almost always, in good faith and are ready to recognize their mistakes when the whole scientific community highlights them through irrefutable evidence. There are exceptions, however, where the cynicism and ease of some scientists has caused considerable damage to people's well-being and health. Bad science can be the most destructive, murderous forces on the planet. Ladies and gentlemen, let us introduce to you one of the biggest killers in the history of humanity: Dr Thomas Midgley Jr.
The Rise of a Reckless Innovator
Thomas Midgley, an Ohio-born inventor with a penchant for chemistry's industrial applications, embarked on a career that would leave an indelible mark on the world. A 1911 Cornell University mechanical engineering graduate, Midgley's curiosity soon led him to General Motors Research Corporation in Dayton, Ohio. It was here, in 1921, that he made a discovery that would revolutionize the automotive industry but at a grave cost.
Midgley's work on tetraethyl lead, a compound he found could enhance gasoline efficiency and engine longevity, was heralded as a breakthrough. Despite existing knowledge of lead's toxicity—evident in its widespread use in consumer products and its severe health implications—its addition to gasoline went ahead. The invention promised to end the premature burning and characteristic "knocking" of lower octane fuels but introduced a neurotoxin into the environment with dire consequences.
The Ethyl Gasoline Corporation: A Venture in Denial
Undeterred by the early signs of lead poisoning among workers—a staggering gait and mental confusion that led to deaths and serious illnesses—Midgley and his backers, including America's industrial giants General Motors, DuPont, and Standard Oil of New Jersey, pressed on. The Ethyl Gasoline Corporation was born, rebranding tetraethyl lead to "ethyl" in a move to placate public concern. Midgley, in a display of astonishing cynicism, went so far as to publicly douse his hands in the compound, despite having previously suffered its effects firsthand.
A Second Dubious "Gift": The Advent of CFCs
Midgley's ventures into harmful innovation did not end with leaded gasoline. Commissioned by General Motors to find a safe refrigerant, he, alongside Charles Kettering, discovered dichlorodifluoromethane (CFC), marketed as "Freon" by DuPont. This new class of chlorofluorocarbons rapidly became the refrigerant of choice, hailed for its non-toxic and non-explosive properties. Yet, the environmental toll was steep—CFCs posed a significant threat to the ozone layer, a critical shield against ultraviolet radiation, leading to their eventual ban under the 1987 Montreal Protocol.
A Legacy Wrapped in Irony
Thomas Midgley's story culminates in a tragic irony. Stricken by polio, he engineered a complex system of ropes and pulleys for mobility, only to meet his demise in an accident involving his own creation. His life and works serve as a poignant reminder of the dual-edged nature of scientific progress. Through Midgley's narrative, freeastroscience.com aims to ignite a dialogue on the ethical dimensions of innovation, advocating for a future where advancements harmonize with the well-being of humanity and the planet.
As we navigate the complexities of modern scientific endeavors, Thomas Midgley's legacy stands as a cautionary tale. It emphasizes the imperative for thorough scrutiny of the implications of our innovations, ensuring that progress does not come at an unsustainable cost. Join us at freeastroscience.com as we explore the intricate dance of science, ethics, and the environment, fostering a world informed by knowledge and guided by conscience.
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