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Impressions of the award ceremony

On 12 October 2023, the König Building at TU Dresden was ceremonially inaugurated as a “Historic Site of Chemistry”. With its historic dye collection, it preserves a special piece of the history of chemistry and makes visible how research, materials and colour work together. Explore the König Building in pictures – and the stories behind this place.

Three interesting facts about König-Bau

A Piece of Chemistry History

The König Building at TU Dresden houses a unique Historical Dye Collection containing more than 20,000 dye samples worldwide. It traces the development of synthetic dyes from their beginnings in the 19th century to the present day – a fascinating insight into science, industry and colour.

The beginnings of academic dye research in Germany

In 1893, the first university laboratory for colour chemistry and dyeing technology was established in Dresden. This made TU Dresden an important centre for research into dyes, textiles and chemical innovations.

Research that shaped colour photography

Dresden chemist Walter König developed a groundbreaking class of substances with polymethine dyes, which was important for the development of colour photography. Research in the laboratory provided impetus for technologies that changed the world.

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Interested in being included in the programme?

Are you researching or working at a place that is significant to the history of chemistry? Would you consider including it in the “Historic Sites of Chemistry” programme? Contact me – I will support you with the next steps.