1767-Jan.-28: A Scotsman announced the discovery of a method to manufacture soap using seaweed, which he claimed would be 50 percent cheaper than traditional…

1767-Jan.-28: A Scotsman announced the discovery of a method to manufacture soap using seaweed, which he claimed would be 50 percent cheaper than traditional oil-based varieties. While the financial benefits were clear, contemporary observers questioned whether the seaweed soap would maintain the same cleansing qualities as established products. Such industrial innovations were regularly publicized in the colonial gazette to encourage new commercial ventures and reduce operational costs. This entry illustrates the active role of scientific inquiry in the diversification of the Atlantic consumer economy.