This text is a compilation of web pages from the "Chemiemuseum Basel" (Basel Chemistry Museum), which documents the industrial and social history of the chemical industry in the Basel region of Switzerland. The content focuses on the theme of "Arbeitswelt" (the world of work), exploring the daily lives, careers, and challenges of those employed in the sector.
Through a series of articles, archival photos, and a detailed interview, the museum provides a multi-faceted look at the industry's past. Key topics include the career path of a laboratory assistant in the 1950s, the history of Indigo dye production and its transition from natural to synthetic methods, and a description of the various professional roles within the chemical companies. A central feature is an in-depth interview with a retired Ciba-Geigy worker who recounts his long career, the company culture, and provides a firsthand account of the major explosion at the "Bau 90" production facility in 1969. The collection also highlights the work of artist Rudolf Maeglin, who dedicated his art to depicting the industrial labor environment in Basel.
Exploring the World of Work in Basel's Chemical Industry
Becoming a Laboratory Assistant (1953): The entry path for many young people into the chemical industry began as a "Laborgehilfe" (lab assistant). This probationary period involved passing an aptitude test and a medical exam. Assistants performed auxiliary tasks like washing glassware before potentially being offered a formal apprenticeship after two years.
A Worker's Life at Ciba-Geigy: An interview with M.L., a long-serving employee, details his career transition from a machine fitter to a dyer-lab assistant at Ciba. He highlights the significantly better pay and benefits (e.g., 2 weeks of holiday in the first year) compared to other jobs at the time. His primary role was in "Fabrikationskontrolle" (production control), where his signature approved products for sale.
The "Bau 90" Explosion (1969): On December 23, 1969, a massive explosion occurred at Ciba's "Bau 90" facility, which produced "Terasil-Marineblau" dye. The accident was caused by an attempt to increase production using highly reactive Oleum, which led to an unstable crust forming in a reactor. The explosion resulted in 3 fatalities, numerous injuries, and covered workers in dark blue dye. The building was heavily damaged but ultimately reinforced and kept in operation.
Company Culture and Career Advancement: The interview with M.L. reveals that career progression was influenced by factors beyond skill. He believed his lack of a military officer rank and non-membership in the company's executive hiking club hindered his promotion opportunities. He was later forcibly transferred to a different lab after refusing to sign on for a new shift-work schedule.
The History of Indigo Dye: The text traces the story of Indigo, the "king of dyes," from its plant-based origins to its synthetic production. German chemist Adolf von Baeyer first synthesized it in 1878, with BASF commercializing the process in 1897. Basel-based companies like Geigy and Ciba also developed their own successful synthesis methods, capitalizing on the massive market for blue dyes used in uniforms and, most famously, Levi Strauss's blue jeans.
Professions in the Chemical Industry: A hierarchy of roles existed, from university-educated chemists (a male-dominated field) and lab assistants to factory workers who performed physically demanding and often hazardous jobs. Over time, unions gained influence, and new skilled professions like "Chemikant" (chemical production technician) were established.
Art and Industry: Rudolf Maeglin: The artist Rudolf Maeglin (1892-1971) came from a wealthy family but chose to work as a laborer in Basel's chemical factories and on construction sites. He dedicated his artistic career to documenting this environment, creating stylized paintings and woodcuts of "Farbarbeiter" (color workers), factories, and industrial sites.
Historical Glimpses: The archive includes various historical photographs and documents, including images of a Ciba-Geigy factory fire drill (ca. 1980), an open house at the Geigy plant in Cranston, USA (1965), the Kleinhüningen gasworks (which supplied raw materials for dye chemistry), and the harsh conditions of working with hazardous materials.