New Ways with Dyes by Peter Sykes , Ph.D.
Only since the first synthetic dyestuff was produced in 1856 has the production of colours been carried out scientifically. Fastness to light and to washing are perhaps the most desirable qualities in a dyestuff, but it is in fact extremely difficult to bind a dye to a fabric sufficiently tightly to prevent at least some of it being washed off. Recently, however, a new range of dyestuffs has been produced: these actually combine chemically with the fabric, becoming, in effect, an intrinsic part of it. How this has been done is the subject of Dr. Sykes's talk.