Mauve

In 1856, William Henry Perkin was attempting to synthesize quinine, the era's primary treatment for malaria. Instead of a drug, he produced a dark, murky residue that revealed a vivid purple shade when dissolved in alcohol. Recognizing its commercial potential, Perkin refined the compound into the first synthetic dye, which he marketed as mauve, chemically known as Mauveine. The accidental discovery helped launch the modern synthetic dye industry, transformed textile manufacturing, and ignited a European fashion craze often called “mauve mania.”