Herman Frasch
| Herman Frasch | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Born | December 25, 1851 Oberrot bei Gaildorf, Württemberg |
| Died |
May 1, 1914 (aged 62) Paris |
| Engineering career | |
| Projects | Frasch Process |
| Awards | Perkin Medal (1912) |
Herman Frasch [or Hermann Frasch] (December 25, 1851 in Oberrot bei Gaildorf, Württemberg – May 1, 1914 in Paris) was a mining engineer and inventor known for his work with petroleum and sulphur.
He was the son of John and Frieda Henrietta (Bauer) Frasch. Both his parents were natives of Stuttgart. His father was burgomaster of Gaildorf. Herman attended the Latin school in Gaildorf and was then apprenticed to a bookseller in nearby Schwäbisch Hall.
At the age of 16, he left the apprenticeship and sailed from Bremen to New York, then took the train to Philadelphia. After his arrival in the United States, he entered the laboratory of John Michael Maisch at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy. Here he worked for several years, perfecting his knowledge of pharmaceutical chemistry. He was notable for his daring and originality in experimentation. His interests turned gradually to industrial chemistry, a branch of the science which was then coming into prominence.
In 1874 he established his own laboratory. He received his first patent, covering a process for utilizing tin scrap, in 1874. His second patent was on a process for purifying paraffin wax in 1876. Both of these became important to industry. Paraffin wax was formerly a waste by-product in oil refining, but with his invention, it became capable of utilization in the manufacture of candles and for other industrial purposes. He also developed paraffin paper, which had great and varied uses as a waterproof packing material for foodstuffs, confectionery, etc., and made possible the safe transportation and preservation of many substances, otherwise perishable. Other earlier inventions were connected with the production of oil, salt, and white lead.
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