A journey through the history of the work coat
For many, when they think of a career in science, white work coats are one of the first associations. As you may have noticed, this is not the height of fashion, but who says we can't spice it up. This blog is dedicated to revealing how the work coat became what it is today and where the possibilities may take us tomorrow!By learning all the ins and outs of the work coat, you'll be equipped to entertain your fellow lab geeks with some fun facts during your next coffee break, or even lead your team to victory at your next science quiz night!
Scientists wore black tuxedos instead of white work coats
Following biblical fashion , first there was the subject. Doctors dressed in black to reflect the importance and seriousness of their work. Their public appearance usually painted a picture of painful death rather than hope, as a medical degree could be obtained in just one year and standards of medical practice were, to say the least, lacking.As medicine began to advance in the scientific method and leave behind the foundations of deception and mysticism, it was time for a wardrobe change. Then came the whiteness!
White work coats
The origins of white work coats are generally unknown, but most seem to agree that they made their big debut on the scientific scene in the late 1800s. In ancient times, laboratory scientists, unlike doctors, were highly respected, both by the people and the royalty.Their choice of work clothes was a beige colored work coat. Scientists have often argued that prescribed medicines and salves have no value. So the doctors decided to become scientists and adopt the scientific method, starting with their standard clothing becoming white work coats.
The color white was a statement of hope and a new beginning for the medical profession. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when many scientific breakthroughs occurred, the white work coat came to symbolize cleanliness and scientific precision. Not only did it make it easier to identify doctors and scientists, but it also made it easier to spot potential contamination.
Indeed, today the work coat is a universal symbol of science. Its symbolism became even more established in 1989, when the first white coat ceremony was held for medical students, marking their transition into the clinical world. Today, work coats are so common that for most people they represent an educated and qualified professional.
Did you think this was the end of the work gown? Think again! The work coat continues to evolve. Gerhard Mohr and his team in Austria are working to change the future of the work coat by developing textiles that change color when exposed to various toxic or hazardous substances, such as are often found in laboratories.
