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Robert Bunsen is best known for one of his more minor contributions to the field of science, the Bunsen burner, even though his lifetime of work yielded many more important, albeit less publicized, contributions. Born Robert Wilhelm Bunsen on 31 March 1811 in Göttingen, Germany, he was a modest, unassuming man of incredible intelligence. His contributions span several scientific disciplines, including chemistry, organic chemistry, geology, photochemical studies and spectrography.

Robert Bunsen began his studies in Chemistry, and received his doctorate at 19 years of age in Germany. After graduation, he took a job lecturing and traveled throughout Europe to study advancements in manufacturing, geology and chemistry. One of his first breakthroughs was in organic/physiological chemistry when he discovered the use of iron oxide hydrate as an antidote for arsenic poisoning. In 1838, Robert Bunsen began teaching at the University of Marlsburg where he studied cacodyl, a compound made with arsenic. These experiments proved to be very dangerous and life threatening. This dangerous substance nearly poisoned Bunsen, and an explosion in his lab took his sight in one eye.

Robert Bunsen is best known for his invention of the improved gas flame device which bears his name: the Bunsen burner. However, Robert Wilhelm Eberhard Bunsen's contributions to science extend far beyond this one invention; he developed a number of other common laboratory instruments, as well as a new device and process for analyzing the elemental constituents of chemicals called spectroscopy. This new science, developed with Gustav Kirchhoff, is probably his most important legacy to science. Bunsen received his doctorate in 1830 from the University of Göttingen, in his hometown. His high marks earned him a grant from the Hanoverian government and with those funds he traveled toBerlin, Bonn, Paris, and Vienna during the next three years. At each stop hemet with the cities' great thinkers and toured their centers of industry. Upon his return to Göttingen he was made an instructor at the university;his stay there was brief, however, and he taught at several other German universities until 1852, when he settled into a professorship at the University of Heidelberg. During the years before Heidelberg, Bunsen's research efforts were concentrated in the field of organic chemistry, particularly in the studyof arsenic and its compounds. Though his studies yielded some advances, suchas the discovery of an antidote for cyanide poisoning, he abandoned this research when an explosion of cacodyl cyanide in 1843 cost him his right eye. Adetermined scientist, Bunsen applied his talents toward inorganic chemistry and the behavior of inorganic gases. He observed heated gases in geysers and furnaces and published his only book as a compilation of his gas research findings. At this time he began the work that would ultimately lead him to the discovery of spectroscopy. Bunsen had become interested in the chemical properties of alkali metals, such as barium and sodium. In order to isolate these elements, he invented new types of galvanic and carbon-zinc batteries (many ofwhich are still called Bunsen batteries). To properly analyze the elements, he constructed a very sensitive ice calorimeter, measuring the volume of melted ice, rather than the mass. In 1851, while visiting the University at Breslau, Bunsen developed a working friendship with Gustav Kirchhoff, then an instructor at Breslau. Kirchhoff shared his interest in the properties of chemicals, and in 1854 Bunsen persuaded Kirchhoff to transfer to the University of Heidelberg. Together, they began research on the spectral emission of elements.In their experiments, an element was superheated or burned, so that the color of its flame could be observed. Unfortunately, even the best gas burner ofthe time imparted a glow from its flame that crept into the element's spectrum, skewing the scientists' findings. Bunsen was again forced to invent equipment whose precision would match that of his own research. Working with a design used by Michael Faraday, Bunsen made improvements that resulted in the modern laboratory burner, a device which produces a very hot, nearly invisible flame. Using this tool, Bunsen and Kirchhoff went on to pioneer the science ofspectroscopy. Over the course of his career, Bunsen also invented a grease-spot photometer (used for measuring light), a process for mass-producing magnesium, a laboratory filter pump for washing precipitate samples, and a steam calorimeter. Bunsen died in 1899.