Object Details
author
Carson, Rachel
Description
The book Silent Spring by biologist and nature writer Rachel Carson was published in 1962. Carson's research on the effect of insecticides (specifically DDT) on bird populations coupled with her moving prose made Silent Spring a best-seller, though chemical companies attacked it as unscientific. While noting the benefits of pesticides in fighting insect-borne disease and boosting crop yields, Carson warned about the invisible dangers of indiscriminate insecticide use and its unintended effect on nature. The publication of Silent Spring led to an increased public awareness of humanity’s impact on nature and is credited as the beginning of the modern environmental movement, leading to the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency in 1970 and the banning of DDT in 1972.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
Gift of Joan E. Boudreau
date published
1962
ID Number
2013.3104.01
nonaccession number
2013.3104
catalog number
2013.3104.01
Object Name
book
Physical Description
paper (overall material)
cloth (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 22 cm x 15.8 cm x 4 cm; 8 21/32 in x 6 7/32 in x 1 9/16 in
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Biological Sciences
Science & Mathematics
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Subject
Science
Environmental Movement
Environmental History
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_1453548