May 31, 2022
A black and white photo taken in 1901, which shows an early stage of the construction of the first couple floors of Noyes Laboratory. .
Construction in 1901 on what would eventually become Noyes Laboratory. In the background, from left, is old University Hall (torn down in 1938 to make way for the Illini Union), old Chemistry Laboratory (now Harker Hall), and Natural History Building. (Co

"Sometimes the spark for something great is literally a spark. In August 1896 a thunderstorm rolled across east central Illinois and unleashed a lightning bolt on the roof of the University of Illinois' Chemical Laboratory, with the resulting fire destroying much of the building. Out of the ashes rose one of the most renowned chemistry buildings in the field: Noyes Laboratory."

The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences featured a story in the Quadrangle Magazine about the events and people that "sparked" the decision to build Noyes Laboratory, which became a National Historic Chemical Landmark. Read the rest of the story on the LAS website.

More about the history of Noyes Laboratory: