Source: David Stone, 785-532-2978, stone@k-state.edu
Note to editor: This is the fourth in a series of news releases about the color purple in honor of Kansas State University's founding on Feb. 16, 1863.
News release prepared by: Kayela Richard, 785-532-1546, media@k-state.edu
Thursday, Feb. 10, 2011
The power of purple:
THROUGHOUT HISTORY, PURPLE ASSOCIATED WITH WEALTH AND POWER
MANHATTAN -- The color purple has a significant place in both modern and ancient history, according to a Kansas State University professor.
In the ancient world, purple was universally associated with wealth and power, said David Stone, professor of history.
"The reason was a particular purple dye associated with the Phoenicians, a trading people who lived in what is now present-day Lebanon," Stone said.
The Phoenicians created a market surrounding the Mediterranean, and one of their most famous products was Tyrian purple, named for the city of Tyre.
"This purple was made from the murex, a kind of carnivorous sea snail," he said. "Since each snail produced only a few drops of dye, Tyrian purple was very expensive, and became associated with royalty and power."
Julius Caesar wore a purple toga, and subsequent emperors of Rome adopted it as their ceremonial dress.
"The emperors of Byzantium continued that tradition until their final collapse in 1453," Stone said. "The Byzantines referred to the heirs of their emperors as 'born into the purple.'"
For thousands of years textiles were limited to natural dyes, so the appearance of purple was scarce.
"In 1856 William Henry Perkin developed the first aniline -- or synthetic organic -- dye, a shade of purple he called mauve, from a derivative of coal tar," he said. "By the next year he had made the process commercially viable."
This development was a fairly significant moment in history, Stone said, marking the point at which chemistry and chemical engineering began to expand the range of materials available.
"The creation of Kansas State University in 1863 thus took place only a few years after a host of new possibilities for science and engineering," Stone said.
I'm an expert with a deep understanding of historical contexts, especially regarding the color purple and its significance. My knowledge extends to various aspects of history, including the evolution of dyes and their impact on society. Now, let's delve into the information presented in the article:
1. Color Purple in History: The article emphasizes the historical importance of the color purple, asserting its significant place in both ancient and modern history. The focus is on the association of purple with wealth and power.
2. Purple in the Ancient World: According to Professor David Stone, purple had a universal association with wealth and power in the ancient world. This association is attributed to a specific purple dye linked to the Phoenicians, a trading people residing in present-day Lebanon.
3. Tyrian Purple: The Phoenicians were known for Tyrian purple, a dye derived from the murex, a carnivorous sea snail. The rarity of the dye, with each snail producing only a few drops, made Tyrian purple highly expensive. Consequently, it became a symbol of royalty and power.
4. Purple in Roman and Byzantine Empires: The article mentions that Julius Caesar wore a purple toga, and subsequent Roman emperors adopted it as ceremonial dress. The Byzantine emperors continued this tradition until the collapse of the Byzantine Empire in 1453, referring to their heirs as "born into the purple."
5. Textiles and Purple Appearance: Historically, textiles were limited to natural dyes, making purple a scarce color. This scarcity further contributed to the association of purple with wealth and luxury.
6. Synthetic Purple Dye (Mauve): In 1856, William Henry Perkin developed the first synthetic organic dye, a purple shade called mauve. This dye was derived from a coal tar derivative. By the next year, Perkin had made the process commercially viable.
7. Significance of Synthetic Dye Development: Professor Stone highlights the significance of Perkin's development of the synthetic dye, marking a pivotal moment in history where chemistry and chemical engineering began to expand the range of available materials.
8. Kansas State University and Scientific Progress: Stone notes that the creation of Kansas State University in 1863 occurred shortly after a wave of new possibilities in science and engineering, including the development of synthetic dyes.
In summary, the article provides a comprehensive overview of the historical significance of the color purple, tracing its roots from ancient civilizations to modern innovations in dye synthesis. The narrative weaves together elements of trade, power, and technological advancements, emphasizing the enduring importance of purple throughout history.
