Classic Chemistry is a simple, well-executed site that explores the history of chemistry and chemists. If you were a regular visitor to their “today in chemistry” section, you might know that on May 29, 1970, the General Electric Corporation announced that its researchers had synthesized gem-grade diamonds for the first time.

The site’s “classic calculations” section includes 55 quantitative exercises tied to and based upon classic papers from the history of chemistry. The exercises allow teachers to use historical material and reinforce principle-based problem-solving learning objectives. Teachers can reproduce the analysis carried out in the original paper, or some part of that analysis; they can also critically analyze the historical data.

Classic Calculations include brief historical notes on the investigators and explanatory notes and solutions of the exercises. Exercises are suitable for in-class examples or homework assignments. Most are for introductory college chemistry courses, but some are suitable for more or less advanced courses.

Other parts of the site include reproductions of classic papers from the history of chemistry, such as Robert Boyle’s The Sceptical Chymist (1661); a glossary of archaic chemical terms; and many links to other sites on the history of chemistry. Classic Chemistry is maintained by Dr. Carmen Giunta of LeMoyne College.