Chemical Sciences over the last 50 years

50 years of the chemical sciences

A review of 50 years of chemical sciences (1950-2000) in celebration of the Jubilee

1953 - Structure of DNA

To commemorate Queen Elizabeth II�s Golden Jubilee in 2002, the RSC has compiled a list of 50 achievements in chemical science, one for each year of the Queen�s reign. The events span everything from chemical biology to materials science, and affect our lives in a variety of ways.

In the 50 years covered by these highlights the polio vaccine has gone from being a new invention, in 1952, to a routinely used drug. The latest advances in medicine have been greatly helped by the sequencing of the human genome in 2000, but the preparatory work was done in 1953 with the elucidation of the structure of DNA.

Between 1960 and 1970 we witnessed the development of the silicon chip and liquid crystal displays. These have gone from being expensive novelties to essential components in everything from computers to washing machines.

Other events in this timeline are yet to reveal true practical uses. Fullerenes, discovered in 1985, may lead to advances in molecular electronics, medical imaging or new materials, but as yet they are still mostly a curiosity, albeit with immense potential.

Chemical science has been around for a lot longer than 50 years. For more important scientific events, from the creation of the universe to the present day and beyond, visit the chemsoc timeline.