Chemistry Go Brr: The Evolution Of Lab Safety

The evolution of lab safety standards is hilariously captured here! 1925 chemists were absolute units - casually mouth-pipetting sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄), one of the most corrosive substances known to science. Meanwhile, modern chemists panic over nanoliter quantities of vinegar on their gloves. The 0.00001M acetic acid (literally diluted vinegar) is about 500,000 times weaker than the concentrated sulfuric acid their predecessors were slurping up. Safety protocols improved dramatically, but our anxiety levels apparently increased proportionally! The contrast between reckless historical practices and today's hyper-cautious approach is why chemistry departments have those terrifying "how we used to do things" stories that make first-year students question their career choices.