Chromatography, invented more than 100 years ago, is the most widely used separation technique in the world today. It has helped the birth of modern analytical instrumentation and continues to strongly influence the profiles of our chemical, biochemical and clinical laboratories.

This book deals with the history of the invention and evolution of chromatography and of the various chromatographic techniques. After discussing the precursors, it elaborates on the activities of M.S. Tswett, the inventor of the technique, and of a few selected key pioneers. It then summarizes the evolution of the various branches of chromatography (planar, ion-exchange, gas and liquid), and also reviews the key role of international symposia in setting the trends in this evolution. Except for individual publications of the author, the history of the evolution of chromatography has not been the subject of any book. Thus, this book fills a major gap in the scientific literature.

Contents:The Precursors of Chromatography; M S Tswett and the Discovery of Chromatography; The First Pioneers in the Use of Chromatography; The Rebirth of Chromatography; The Evolution of the Chromatographic Techniques; Ion-Exchange Chromatography; Gas Chromatography; Modern Liquid Chromatography; The Most Important Chromatography Meetings.