Dr Friedrich von Heyden

From Radebeul to the world

The fame of the Dr Friedrich von Heyden chemical factory and its founder

Jacob Friedrich von Heyden, a luminary in the field of early salicylic acid production and founder of the Radebeul chemical industry, which lasted for decades, was born on 4 January 1838, exactly 175 years ago. Initially, however, he did not seem to have been born with a passion for scientific studies. His mother's family was heavily involved in politics and his father had made a name for himself as a well-known writer. The son initially embarked on a military career, but for health reasons he prematurely abandoned this career plan. After working as a landowner near Bautzen, he moved to Dresden and decided to pursue his curiosity for the natural sciences, which had been burning since his youth. So, at the age of 33, he swapped his business desk for a study desk and, despite his professor's initial doubts, began studying chemistry at Dresden University. Neither of them ever regretted it, as unparalleled talent and "seriousness about his studies" enabled the young chemistry student to be awarded a doctorate after just two years. But where to put all this knowledge? Privy Councillor Prof Kolbe from Leipzig had been working extensively on salicylic acid, a field of research that von Heyden enthusiastically joined. In his Dresden home, the kitchen had to serve as a galley and makeshift laboratory, but within a short time he was able to produce salicylic acid on his own. This was a ground-breaking sensation, because never before in the world had it been possible to produce an organic chemical remedy artificially!

The beneficial effect of willow extracts on fever, rheumatism and gout had been known for centuries, and when salicylic acid was finally detected in willow bark, the healing effect of this special substance was recognised. Von Heyden quickly found buyers for his pure material, which in turn necessitated a larger production facility. Radebeul was chosen because of the low price of land at the time, the nearby and well-developed railway network, its proximity to Dresden's city limits and the extensive open space at Meißner Straße 35. Operations began in January 1874. From then on, the skilled chemist worked tirelessly to expand the new factory, investing almost his entire private fortune and bearing the full risk. After all, a war was raging in Europe and the economic situation was tense. However, military conflicts were to have a very positive effect on sales, as the preparation was increasingly used as an antiseptic wound treatment. The possibility of preserving food with salicylic acid also increased sales figures. Even veterinary medicine discovered the drug for itself. It can be assumed that even in the first year of its introduction, there was not a single pharmacy in what was then the German Reich that did not stock the miracle drug from the town in Lößnitz.

After the German-speaking world, salicylic acid from Radebeul conquered the world. Customers came from England, Russia, Belgium, Holland, Scandinavia, Denmark and overseas countries such as America and Japan. After just three years, the number of kilometres sold had increased sixfold. Of course, this enormous success also attracted envious parties, against whom von Heyen had to defend himself in years of patent disputes. The energetic pioneer won every single trial. However, the eventful years and constant scientific studies soon took their toll. In 1885, von Heyden was forced to sell the business to two worthy successors out of consideration for his health.

Thanks to von Heyden's persistent endeavours to cure diseases for which there was no equivalent remedy anywhere in the world, he played a decisive role in the history of modern medicine. The factory was continued in his spirit; its expansion, product range and reputation gradually increased, making it one of the most important chemical centres of the modern era.

Maren Gündel, City Archive

Source: Chemische Fabrik von Heyden. Souvenir sheets from 6 decades.

Image source: Society of German Chemists

Published in: Official Gazette Radebeul in January 2013