Werner's Nomenclature of Colours
Werner's Nomenclature of Colours sounds like some stuffy science book a German guy wrote in 1814.
Oh hey! It is a stuffy science book a German guy wrote in 1814. Except maybe not so stuffy if you too are a scientist, or an artist who could benefit from browsing a taxonomic guide to the colors of the natural world. This edition of Werner's Nomenclature of Colours: Adapted to Zoology, Botany, Chemistry, Mineralogy, Anatomy, and the Arts has gotten a fresh print run and more modern cover for 2018, but is otherwise a facsimile of the original. Which is what exactly, you ask?
Abraham Gottlob Werner was a mineralogist who used minerals to create a standardized color scheme for describing all colors and shades thereof, down to the smallest chromatic variations, with consistent terminology. Drawing from Werner's work, Scottish painter Patrick Syme used the minerals to paint the color charts included in Werner's Nomenclature of Colours. Syme added some additional examples from nature - flowers, plants, animals - to enhance the project.
Remember, this was a time before snapping photos with your smartphone or sucking up color with a Cube digitizer existed, so part of the beauty of Werner's Nomenclature of Colours is that Werner and Syme developed a system for communicating color with language, putting the essence of hundreds of reds, blues, and yellows into words. The handbook became a standard carry for many naturalists and anthropologists, including Charles Darwin.
DudeIWantThat.com is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more.
/halloween-spirit-12-cool-51612.jpg?mode=crop "Halloween Spirit: 12 Cool Products in Orange & Black")
Halloween Spirit: 12 Cool Products in Orange & Black
I should have found 13 cool products in orange & black to make this compilation even more true to the Halloween spirit I claim it embodies - or rather, disembodies. But I'm lazy, so you get 12...
/offensive-crayons-35033.jpg?mode=crop "Offensive Crayons")
Offensive Crayons
If your favorite pastime is being offended, get ready for hours of fun with Offensive Crayons. And even if you're open to the politically incorrect, unless you're Daniel Tosh politically incorrect, you might wince at...
/enchroma-color-blindness-18736.jpg "EnChroma Color Blindness Glasses")
EnChroma Color Blindness Glasses
As as dude named Ethan demonstrates in the above video, seeing colors for the first time ever is an experience a lot like seeing them for the first time ever while on hallucinogenic drugs. Stirring. Awe-inspiring. Life-changing...
/the-colors-of-motion-32820.jpg?mode=crop "The Colors of Motion - Condensed Movie Frame Prints")
The Colors of Motion - Condensed Movie Frame Prints
Movie buffs and film fans, how do you feel about abstract art? The Colors of Motion, conceived and developed by Charlie Clark, is a series of poster prints that condenses the colors of your favorite flicks into a stack...
Aquafaucet Color-Changing Waterfall Tap
Glistening chrome fountain. Dramatic curved channels. Stunning waterfall cycling through the most brilliant hues of the rainbow. And a mysterious floating orb. Which fantasy novel or video game did this Aquafaucet fixture...
Mood Lights - Image Projecting Bulbs
Felicia of MoodLights created her trippy projection bulbs almost two decades ago in a sweeping display of necessity serving as mother of invention. After her parents denied a plea to paint a mural on her bedroom walls...
Swear Word Adult Coloring Book (NSFW)
Adult coloring books are getting to be nearly as popular as Xanax for promoting relaxation and managing stress. Pair filling in the intricate line drawings with a few puffs of your favorite herbal refreshment, and you...
/betty-beauty-dye-for-hair-down-33406.jpg?mode=crop "Betty Beauty Dye for Hair Down There")
Betty Beauty Dye for Hair Down There
Whether you're going gray, going to a rave, or going a little kinky in the bedroom, Betty has you covered. Well, your pubic hair anyway...
The Beauty of Horror: A GOREgeous Coloring Book
Adult coloring books have experienced a recent surge in sales as meditative and therapeutic outlets. But how the H-A-Double-Hockey-Sticks-O-W-E-E-N does The Beauty of Horror think I'm supposed to calm down and relieve...
/chemistry-crayon-labels-21140.jpg?mode=crop "Chemistry Crayon Labels")
Chemistry Crayon Labels
Que Interesante calls these Chemistry Crayon Labels a tool for teaching "children" about the periodic table of elements, and the chemical compounds they create. I think to be polite. Because I think 98% of adults out...
/goblies-play-paint-goo-for-57309.jpg?mode=crop "Goblies Play Paint Goo for Water Guns")
Goblies Play Paint Goo for Water Guns
Goblies Play Paint Goo Play Paint Goo-ifies any squirt gun or water blaster. The tubs o' fun are filled with colorful and tactile substances that will enhance any water battle and - good news for the parents dealing with...
/color-muse-for-diy-paint-match-24645.jpg "Color Muse for DIY Paint Match")
Color Muse for DIY Paint Match
The only thing less fun than painting your living room walls purple--sorry, eggplant--is having your girlfriend decide after all the paint is applied, and dried, and you're moving your couch back in front of the TV, that...