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The development of dyes was the genesis of the chemical industry, but no one really talks about that.

I googled "history of the chemical industry" and synthetic dyes were mentioned prominently by each of the first five results returned.

But have you heard anyone _talk_ about it? It's common knowledge that the industrial revolution was mills and steam engines and mechanization. In my experience almost no one knows about the other piece of the textile industry that drove industrialization.

It's not hidden, but I don't think it's commonly known.

It's just the A in BASF.

But yeah, that entire IG Farben episode might have toned down their enthusiasm for identifying with dyes a little. Same for their peers up and down the Rhine.

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