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by Ed Hessler, posted on 8:26 AM, April 10, 2018
Learn more about Izaak Koltoff, past U of M chemist who is also known as the “father of modern analytical chemistry.”
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Universities and colleges have a practice of naming buildings after people. One of the buildings enclosing the mall on the Twin Cities campus of the University of Minnesota is named Kolthoff Hall. That building was designated a national chemical landmark by the American Chemical Association in 2014.
Who was Koltoff? He is regarded as the father of modern analytical chemistry, turning a toolbox of techniques into a major branch of chemical science.
Paul Nelson wrote a short biography of Izaak Maurits (Piet) Koltoff (February 11 1894 - March 4 1993) for MNopedia, published in MinnPost, April 4, 2018. Koltoff's contributions are staggering. One thing I learned was his motto which nicely summarizes the practice of science: Theory guides: experiment decides.
Minnesota science teachers should know about:
