The Tale of Two Scientists
Thomas Midgley Jr. and Clair Cameron Patterson
In the early 20th century, leaded gasoline was hailed as a marvel—a modern solution to fuel efficiency and engine performance. Two scientists played crucial roles in its history: Thomas Midgley Jr., the inventor who introduced lead into the gasoline industry, and Clair Cameron Patterson, the geochemist who fought to remove it.
Mr. Skeptical adds, “So these guys weren’t friendly to each other?”
“No, they weren’t.” The relationship between the scientists reminds me of my relationship with Mr. Skeptical.
Subconscious Fat at 30,000 feet
In the 1920s, engine "knocking" was a major problem—a pinging sound caused by the premature ignition of fuel in engines. Thomas Midgley Jr., a brilliant chemist working for General Motors, found that adding tetraethyl lead to gasoline could eliminate knocking and make engines run more smoothly. This innovation was seen as a breakthrough, and leaded gasoline quickly became the industry standard.
Mr. Skeptical tilts his head and chuckles. "So he solved one problem and created another. Why does this sound familiar?"
“Exactly. It wasn't long before concerns started cropping up about the safety of adding lead to gasoline. Factory workers exposed to leaded gasoline often experienced severe health effects, from hallucinations to violent behavior, and some even died. But the lead was profitable, and Midgley, as the face of this new technology, was quick to defend its use, dismissing health concerns as overblown.
Midgley was so committed to his work that he even poured leaded gasoline over his hands to demonstrate its supposed safety—while knowing that lead is toxic. This is an example of how innovation and profit can blind us to long-term consequences, a mistake humans have repeated throughout history.
Mr. Skeptical squints his eyes, showing skepticism. “How do we know he knew?”
“In 1786, Benjamin Franklin mentioned lead as a known toxin. He prophetically quoted:
“You will observe with concern how long a useful truth may be known and exist before it is generally received and practiced on.”
Subconscious Fat at 10,000 Feet
Clair Cameron Patterson was a geochemist who, in the 1950s, was working on determining the age of the Earth by studying lead isotopes. However, he kept finding high levels of contamination in his samples. Digging deeper, Patterson discovered that the world's environment was heavily polluted with lead—mainly due to leaded gasoline. Realizing the health risks, he dedicated much of his life to fighting the widespread use of lead in gasoline, ultimately leading to its ban in the 1980s.
“Patterson didn’t care about being popular or raking in profits,” I explain. “He was driven by truth, science, and public health. And he paid a price for it—often finding himself isolated from mainstream science and industry. But his relentless efforts eventually led to one of the greatest public health victories of the 20th century.”
Mr. Skeptical scoffs, "So one guy is hailed as a hero and the other as a villain. It's a classic black-and-white story."
“It’s more complex than that,” I respond. “Midgley didn’t set out to poison the world; he was trying to solve a real problem. The difference is in the perspective: one aimed for an immediate, marketable solution, (which reminds me of Canola Oil, see that post here.) while the other pursued a long-term, evidence-based view of human health.”
“It’s a concept we’ve discussed before, how the world revolves around love and money.”
“Yes. Patterson represents love for humanity. Midgley represents money.”
Subconscious Fat at Eye-Level
This clash of scientific perspectives mirrors today’s debates over diet and health. You have strong proponents on both sides—let's say the carnivore vs. vegetarian debate—each armed with their studies, experiences, and belief systems. One side claims plant-based diets are essential for longevity, pointing to antioxidant-rich foods and fiber for gut health. The other side emphasizes human evolution and the nutrient density of animal products, arguing that meat provides all the essential nutrients for optimal health.
“Sounds like Patterson and Midgley all over again,” Mr. Skeptical remarks.
“Yes, in a way. Midgley’s support of leaded gasoline was seen as a practical solution to an immediate problem. Similarly, advocates for certain diets often focus on short-term benefits, like weight loss or improving a particular health marker. Patterson’s long-term view on lead’s effects is akin to considering how a diet affects the body over decades, not just weeks or months. And the consequences are severe.”
“How bad is lead anyway?”
“Many argue that by putting lead into gasoline, Midgley accidentally killed more people than anyone in history. Perhaps even scarier, as the graph below shows, there’s a correlation between violent crimes and the amount of lead in human blood. The graph considers the average preschool blood lead amount and compares it to the crime rate 20 years later when that person is most likely to commit a violent crime.
Practical Suggestions and Conclusions
In today's diet debates, the carnivore camp is often seen as the outlier, much like Patterson was in his early years. They argue that animal foods are nutrient-dense and bioavailable and are what allowed the human brain to evolve. Meanwhile, the plant-based advocates, similar to Midgley, work within a framework that has been accepted as beneficial by many in society but also perhaps not fully explored for long-term consequences.
“I just knew you were going to go there. Of course, you must mention how Midgley, the “bad guy,” is like plant-based diets.”
“Midgley chose to ignore the historical perspective. We’ve known lead is bad since Benjamin Franklin’s time. This brings to mind another quote by George Santayana:
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
Mr. Skeptical frowns, gets up, and walks out. I feel a sense of triumph. Yet, the feeling quickly fades, for another quote slips into my mind by someone even more famous, Napoleon Bonaparte:
“History is a set of lies agreed upon.”
Be aware.
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