Simon Garfield: Mauve

It takes a flip of the imagination, surrounded as we are by the vivid colours of chemical dyes, to comprehend the significance of William Perkin's 1856 invention of the chemical process to achieve (and therefore mass produce) the colour mauve. It's a great story of the industrial revolution, and a keyhole into the burgeoning age of science.

Perkin was just 18 when he applied his intelligence and insight to a failed experiment. Mauve became all the rage - Queen Victoria was one who adopted it early - and Perkin, who established a factory to apply his findings, made his fortune. His discovery spawned further huge industries and affected the development of explosives, perfume, photography and medicine.

An extremely entertaining narrative history, which also includes fascinating insights into the place of colour in our lives today, and the continuing pursuit of new colours, dying techniques and fabrics.

Faber and Faber

$34.95