Elmer Imes, Black history of the United States and spectroscopy

Abstract

Elmer Imes (1883-1941) measured for the first time the infrared spectrum of hydrogen chloride. His results put an end to the debate on the quantization of molecular motions. However, despite the recognition he achieved for it, his scientific career was altered by the barriers faced by African-American citizens in the Jim Crow-era United States. This article explores Imes’ biography and the influence of his work, showing how both reflect the lives of those who suffered from segregation and racism on a daily basis.