Chemical Bonding
It is important to understand something about chemical bonding before the discussion can move forward. All molecules are held together by bonds between atoms. A bond is an electron-static attraction between one atom and another. Two of the major types of bonding which occur are ionic and covalent bonding. In an ionic bond, one atom transfers an electron to another. When this happens, the ionic bonds are formed due to a difference in charges. The electrostatic attraction of these different charges holds the two ions together. In covalent bonding, the atoms involved do not wish to relinquish their electrons. Instead, the atoms share a portion of the electromagnetic field of the orbiting electrons. The more intense the desire for the shared electron the stronger the bond. It is this knowledge of the elements, their atomic structure, and their bonding capability that helped move chemistry forward as a science. Once the theoretical groundwork was laid, chemists were able to use this knowledge to begin synthesizing compounds found in nature as well as create many that were not.
The Progress of Chemistry
This understanding of chemical reactions, the periodic table, and the interactions of gasses made many new inventions possible. With the advent of large companies, the face of chemistry changed. These corporations created research teams to develop and synthesize new chemicals and machines which would help speed the process of development. It was these research and development groups who were largely responsible for the next wave of progress and inventiveness.
Though Gorrie was not able to see his invention make its way into households we all know that it did. Thanks to other scientists and engineers, his idea was improved upon and made functional and profitable. As the demand for refrigeration grew, so did the number of chemists and engineers working on the problems.
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