The Incredibly Consistent R.B. Woodward

Fans of the blog know of my playful hero-worship of R.B. Woodward. A man so well-known for both his chemical triumphs and signature eccentricities (blue suits, cigarettes, slow lectures) should expect nothing less.

Recently, the ACS Division of Organic Chemistry gave me good reason to go goof around on their newly-designed site. I became especially intrigued with their collection of old National Organic Symposium brochures. Among male contemporaries, only E.J. Corey spoke at more NOS meetings (8) than RBW (tied with six others at 6 apiece).

Check out my slow-mo time-lapse photography, culled from appearances in the NOS brochures:

First, E.J. Corey, over a 52-year NOS span:

Next, RBW, over 28 years:

Wow. Same suit, same glasses, same haircut, same expression, far as I can tell!

(He really favored that left side, huh?)

Check out the titles of Woodward's talks:

• 1977 - "Recent Advances in the Chemistry of Natural Products"
• 1967 - "Recent Advances in the Chemistry of Natural Products"
• 1957 - "Recent Advances in the Chemistry of Natural Products"
• 1953 - "Recent Advances in the Chemistry of Natural Products"
• 1949 - "Recent Studies on the Structure of Natural Products"

(P.S. All of E.J.'s talk titles were completely different!)