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As Pasquale Di Raddo points out in this Journal, a discussion of safety rules in the lab can be bland despite the importance of the topic (1). By introducing some comic scenes, it is relatively easy to engage students in lab safety, by posing the question: “What is wrong with this picture?”. Di Raddo does this effectively by analyzing illustrations from three comic books, including the comic book cover of the Classics Illustrated adaptation of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, where a number of chemistry safety violations can be seen. However, the use of comic book scenes is not the only medium for spicing up the teaching of chemistry lab safety. Old books and old newspaper advertisements occasionally show drawings of a chemist in the lab appearing without safety glasses and following improper lab procedures. In addition, I brought my old chemistry set to class, and asked my students to comment on the illustration on the cover. They were able to discover a number of procedures that were “acceptable” in the past yet now violate modern safety regulations. Although not related to safety, it was also noted that the picture was somewhat sexist as it showed two boys doing experiments. Apparently, it was just assumed in those days that girls wouldn’t be interested in chemistry. As a matter of interest, Classics Illustrated comics were first published by the Elliot Company, and then later published by the Gilberton Company mentioned in Figure 3 of Di Raddo’s paper. The name Gilberton was based on the Gilbert Company, the company that had been bought out by the owners of Classics Illustrated. The Gilbert Company had been a chemical supply company that sold chemistry sets (2). Literature Cited- Di Raddo, P. J. Chem. Educ. 2006, 83, 571–573.
- Jones, W. B. Jr. Classics Illustrated—A Cultural History, with Illustrations; McFarland & Co: Jefferson, NC, 2002; 9–10.
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