288 JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY OF COSMETIC CHEMISTS As a chemist and perfumer, the Medalist worked for a period of some three years in Europe. In 1924 he joined the firm of Fritzsche Brothers, Inc., in New York as chief research chemist, an important position he has held for the last thirty-one years. In 1941 he became a vice-president of this firm, in recognition of the importance of his work. As chief research chemist of Fritzsche Brothers, Inc., one of his early as- signments involved the supervision of the production of natural flower oils in our Seillans factory in France. Here Dr. Guenther accumulated first- hand knowledge of the production of concretes, absolutes and resinolds-- all important raw materials for the perfume, soap and cosmetic industries. Constant experimentation and development were an important part of this work at Seillans. In addition, investigations were undertaken in connec- tion with the commercial production of a great variety of essential oils and oleoresins: black pepper, French celery seed, cinnamon bark, cumin seed, estragon, sweet basil, and others. The resulting products, all of absolute and known purity, were sent to the New York laboratories of Fritzsche Brothers, Inc., for examination and evaluation. And so began the slow and systematic accumulation of basic knowledge, founded on his personal experience with the finest products that could be produced using the most advanced equipment available at that time. It soon became apparent that many essential oils could not be studied adequately in the factory or in the lab9ratory , and that a study in the field would be highly desirable. Thus began Dr. Guenther's travels throughout the world--travels which took him to every remote spot where essential oils were produced--travels which extended over more than twenty years. This resulted in important data, often the first reliable data available, on production methods, qualities and potential commercial availabilities of essential oils. This information was made freely accessible to the trade through Dr. Guenther's many articles. At the present time, well over 150 of such articles have appeared in the scientific and technical journals. Another phase of the Medalist's work was undertaken just prior to and during the early years of World War II. Dr. Guenther worked closely with various governmental agencies in an attempt to establish an essential oil industry within this hemisphere to permit the United States to become in- dependent of sources of supply from overseas. Important developments resulted in Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, the West Indies and in South America (notably Brazil). Dr. Guenther has given freely of his vast experience to help new pro- ducers everywhere. This has been accomplished through personal con- tacts, through his papers and his books, through his celebrated lectures and motion pictures. I should like to cite a specific example to emphasize this point. If any individual can be singled out as the most important in the development of

ERNEST GUENTHER, THE SCIENTIST 289 the lime oil industry in Mexico, this honor would go unquestionably to the Medalist. Many of us can remember the time when odd lots of lime oil of inferior quality were produced in Mexico and were offered, generally with- out success, to dealers in New York. Dr. Guenther undertook a thorough investigation of Mexican lime oil because he believed that high-quality oil could be produced with adequate know-how. This entailed a field study with careful evaluation of the unsatisfactory methods then employed. Samples were obtained representing variations in distillation times, batch sizes, maturity of fruit, methods of processing, etc. These experimental samples were produced at Dr. Guenther's suggestion and under his personal supervision in Mexico. They were sent to the New York laboratories of Fritzsche Brothers, Inc., for complete examination of their physical and chemical properties. The resulting data were transmitted to Dr. Guenther in the field. Direction was thus given to the experimental work. Further samples representing the effects of other variables were prepared. As a re- sult of this intensive work, it was shown that lime oils of excellent quality could be produced competitively. Through his efforts, the lime oil in- dustry in Mexico was put on a firm scientific basis. At the present time the production in Mexico far exceeds that in the West Indies, formerly the only source of world supply. As a final step in this problem, upon Dr. Guenther's return to New York he initiated an investigation of the chemical constituents of distilled lime oil as produced in Mexico. I was fortunate to have been associated with Dr. Guenther during this investigation an investigation which required more than a year and which resulted in the publication in the •ournal of the Atmerican Chemical Society of an article elucidating the composition of this oil. The year 1948 represents another milestone in the life of the Medalist the first volume of his authoritative work, "The Essential Oils," was pub- lished. Four years later the sixth' volume was released, completing the series. This monumental work, twelve years in preparation, was immedi- ately acclaimed throughout the world. Dr. Guenther's lifework as a scientist has been devoted to the field of essential oils. His success has resulted from a remarkable combination of his training, his unusual ability, his enthusiasm, and his unique personality. I heartily endorse the selection of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists in choosing as Medalist for 1955 the foremost authority on essential oils in the world today, Dr. Ernest Guenther.