Cayuga Museum Highlights Historical Innovations in Dye Testing

The Cayuga Museum of History and Art is shedding light on the innovative research conducted at the Case Research Lab, particularly in the realm of dye testing. While renowned for its advancements in sound film technology, the lab also made significant contributions to understanding the fading of dyed fabrics through the use of photoelectric cells.

On November 9, 1925, the Case Research Lab received a pivotal report from the Department of Commerce. This report detailed the lab’s collaboration in measuring the rate at which sunlight affects dyed textiles. The initiative stemmed from a 1923 article in the American Dyestuff Reporter, which proposed that dye fading could be quantitatively assessed by measuring the foot-candle hours of light exposure. The idea was that a consistent quantity of light energy would yield similar fading results, irrespective of daily or seasonal variations in light intensity.

The Research Committee of the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists, along with the Bureau of Standards, approached Ted Case for collaboration on this important research. The Case Lab’s photoelectric cells proved to be essential tools in these experiments, allowing for the precise measurement of light exposure that contributed to fabric fading.

Karyn Radcliffe, the director of collections at the Cayuga Museum, emphasizes the importance of this research in the broader context of textile science. “The work done at the Case Research Lab not only advanced sound technology but also had practical applications in industries reliant on dye and color stability,” Radcliffe noted.

The Cayuga Museum, located at 203 Genesee St., Auburn, New York, invites the public to explore these historical innovations. For additional information, interested individuals can contact the museum at (315) 253-8051 or visit their website at cayugamuseum.org. This exploration into the Case Research Lab’s lesser-known contributions reflects a significant intersection of technology and practical application that continues to impact various industries today.