ERIC C. KUNZ--MEDALIST 261 milieu in which Eric Kunz obtained his education, many youths, in- fluenced by the growing German chemical industry, were turning their attention to the stills and the crucibles. In his studies at Zurich, Eric Kunz was fortunate in coming under the influence of two great scien- tists and teachers. The first was Dr. Richard Willstatter, professor at the Polytechnic Institute of Zurich, later to become Nobel Prize Winner and Eric Kun7's doctorate in chemistry was conferred at the University of Zurich, under the di- rection of another Nobel Prize Win- ner,' Dr. Alfred Werner. Four years in the Institute, and Eric Kunz obtained his doctorate under Dr. Werner'.• exacting de- mands, after having invented the first organic salt which was sub- ject to electrolysis in the molten state, in the absence of water. Into the world of chemistry Dr. Kunz went forward, and quite naturally looked to Germany as the country where schooling could be supplemented by necessary experi- ence. It was to the great German dye- stuff industry that Dr. Kunz was able to turn--an industry that was to become, in World War I then almost upon us, a weapon of Ger- man strength comparable to her disciplined marching armies. And, following a short period as assist- ant to the chief chemist in a German textile finishing, dyeing and printing firm, Dr. Kunz's sponsor urged h:.m to go to Russia, but he declined, already having in mind a desire to come to America. Instead, he joined the research laboratories of the young but expanding Givau- dan organization in Geneva, al- ß ready a major supplier of synthetic perfume chemicals. What was it that attracted this brilliant young chemist, who had re- markable opportunities before him in his native land and in the sur- rounding countries of Europe, to our shores? Primarily it was the combination of America's indus- trial progress, her almost unlimited productive potential, with its back- wardness in things chemical. In a country so rich in natural resources, that had already achieved a fore- most position in countless phases of production, chemistry was one of the remaining .industrial frontiers, hardly explored and little exploited. The day would surely come when American chemistry would find it necessary to put forth a new declaration of independence, un- tying the bonds that held it to Europe, and particularly to Ger- many. And Dr. Kunz, foreseeing that time, came to this country to contribute to that growth and to derive the personal benefits that must come to those who make such contributions. The day of American chemical independence would come, thought the young voyager, but little did he realize that it was practically upon him, and that America's unreadi- ness for this day could prove to be a vital crisis in our country's history. A short time after his arrival in

262 JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY OFf.COSMETIC CHEMISTS this country, Dr. Kunz found Amer- ica greatly concerned not only with the German threat to the allies-- the year was 1915--but with the critical position of our textile, paint, and other industries, so completely dependent upon German dyestuffs. America, in need of such dyes, con- tinued to purchase from Germany despite our sympathies for her ene- mies, but it was becoming more and more difficult to run the blockade. And, as the sentiment in favor of .•merican participation in the war became greater, the specter of a disintegrating textile industry was one of the most vital concerns of our lawmakers. Where in America could be found the talent, the experience, the knowledge, and what has come to be called the know-how, necessary for the rapid building of a native synthetic dyestuff industry? It was the conviction of Dr. Kunz that such an industry could be built in this country, and to this task the young chemist offered himself. The result is well known: German dye- stuffs were replaced by American- made dyes during the First World War. And one of the first and one of the 4arger synthetic dyestuff plants to supply these substances was at Lodi, N.J., where a dyestuff divi- sion of the United Piece Dye Works was established with the collabora- tion of Dr. Kunz. It is to this period in his life that can be re- corded one of his early achieve- ments, the manufacture for the first time in this country of phos- gene, dyestuff intermediate and war gas desperately needed by the American Army. In recognition of the war-time deeds of the man, and in order to utilize his grasp of chemical eco- nomics and his knowledge of the German chemical industry, the De- partment of State invited Dr. Kunz --although not yet a citizen--to as- sist Di-. Charles Hetty, representing the United States Government at Versailles. And in that capacity Dr. Kunz aided in the drafting of several paragraphs in the peace treaty pertaining to the German dye- stuff industry. The synthetic dyestuff division of United Piece Dye Works had l•een sold at the suggestion of Dr. Kunz, to dupont after the close of the First World War, and Dr. Kunz was "sold" with it, remaining with dupont until 1925, when he re- joined the Givaudan organization, to head its efforts in the U.S.A. As executive manager and vice- president, and later as president of Givaudan-Delawanna, Dr. Kunz guided the affairs of this company, and dedicated himself to the build- ing of an aromatic chemical indus- try in this country, and to making America independent in synthetic perfumery, just as he had aided its achieving independence in synthetic dyes. Thus, rever. sing the role that our nation was playing to a greater and greater extent through- out the world, it was imported tal- ent and imported knowledge that aided immeasurably in building a synthetic perfume industry in Amer- ica.