The Historical Dyestuff Collection at the Technical University Dresden: A Cultural–Historical Treasure and a Rich Source of Light‐Absorbing Materials with Great Prospects for Current and Future Research

The Historical Dyestuff Collection at the Technical University Dresden houses a large collection of colorants, such as more than 20 000 synthetic organic dyes, more than 500 natural organic dyes and a comprehensive collection of inorganic natural and synthetic pigments, as well as more than 3 000 shade cards and a variety of other objects related to dyestuff chemistry. Moreover, all theses performed at the Institute of Color and Textile Chemistry, the home of the Dyestuff Collection, together with all substance probes prepared during the qualification works of the students, were deposited here and can be used on demand. From the theses and much additional literature collected here, the history of industrial dyestuff chemistry and the photographic industry as well as the contributions of the scientists working at the Institute since 1892, including W. König and H. T. Bucherer as some of the more famous examples, can be reflected upon and studied in detail. The Historical Dyestuff Collection at the Technical University Dresden houses a large collection of colorants, such as synthetic organic dyes, natural organic dyes, inorganic natural and synthetic pigments and a vast collection of shade cards. This historical Essay discusses the collection, focusing on some critical components which played key roles in the history of industrial dyestuff chemistry and the photographic industry.