<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0Jwvlr_1FQooQDH00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0Jwvlr_1FQooQDH00" width="1200" height="798" ><figcaption>Memorial marker at the birthplace of Charles Holmes Herty</figcaption></figure>Dr. Charles Holmes Herty, the namesake of GCSU’s Herty Hall, was a chemist born in Milledgeville whose work revitalized Georgia’s and the South’s economies and changed how newspapers were produced.Herty’s main contribution to the newsprint industry was inspired by learning about the process of making white paper pulp from German fir trees, which have similarities to pine trees in terms of texture and resin. Though seemingly insignificant then, this knowledge would lead to one of Herty’s breakthroughs.“Instead of taking the method, Herty actually created the method, showing that he was a true chemist in a sense,” said Ian Rice, a sophomore chemistry and mathematics dual major.During the Great Depression, Herty saw the economic and environmental strains that paper making from Northern hardwoods was having. However, he hypothesized that the abundant pine trees in the South, when properly treated, could be made into high-quality paper, contrary to popular belief. He started a research initiative and founded the Savannah Pulp and Paper Laboratory to work on this innovation.Through his research, he soon reached a breakthrough, and in 1933, the first newspaper issue of the Soperton News was released on white paper produced by Herty’s research. This led to a shift in the paper-making industry.“It affects how newspapers were made,” said Bailey Anderson, a sophomore mass communications major. “Back then, newspapers were a big thing getting news out to a lot of people.”Since the tree harvesting industry was already developed, this new product turned out to be a catalyst for the depression-riddled southern economy, creating many jobs. This leads even to the present day when pine pulp is one of Georgia’s main agricultural commodities.“He was a chemistry guy, and he made such a revision to how we make paper today … It impacted so many different career fields,” Anderson said.The pulp innovation rewrote the script for how US news organizations produced, eventually leading to a cheaper, more local and sustainable alternative to hardwoods.“I’m not really into papermaking; I’m more in the health field, but it’s still a major innovation,” said Sri Nagiesetty, a sophomore chemistry major. “Chemistry is very diverse in what it can do.”Nagisetty shared how Herty’s story inspires her to continue her work in the field.“I do feel like if he’s able to accomplish this much as a chemist, I should be able to too,” Nagisetty said. “He inspires me to keep going with what I want to do. He just helps prove a point that I can do it.”Nagisetty and Anderson shared their thoughts on Herty’s inspiration to them as a local figure.“I’m not really surprised that he comes from this college town as much, but I am surprised about all this research he did. He’s actually a bigger deal than I thought,” Nagisetty said.Herty was born in Milledgeville in 1867, and he suffered the loss of both of his parents by the time he was 11.Despite his trials, he developed a love for chemistry, forestry and helping others. After studying at Georgia Military Academy (now Georgia Military College) and graduating from UGA, Herty began teaching chemistry at UGA.“I love people who can have a focus in an academic study and also do what they’re passionate about,” Nagisetty said.Throughout his life, Herty made contributions to various fields like forestry and public health. Outside of science, Herty was a sports enthusiast. He led the UGA athletics program in its infancy and started their now famous football team.“I thought it was inspiring that someone from a small town like Milledgeville, how much he impacted a lot of different fields by being dedicated to the cause and researching and solving the problems,” Anderson said.Dr. Charles Herty had a large impact on the state of Georgia and the United States as a whole. Whether for chemistry, public health, forestry or football, Herty’s legacy is one GCSU students feel is worth celebrating.</div></body>

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Dr. Charles Holmes Herty, the namesake of GCSU’s Herty Hall, was a chemist born in Milledgeville whose work revitalized Georgia’s and the South’s economies and changed how newspapers were produced. Herty’s main contribution to the newsprint industry was inspired by learning about the process of making white...

Charles Herty’s legacy impacts students today

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Dr. Charles Holmes Herty, the namesake of GCSU’s Herty Hall, was a chemist born in Milledgeville whose work revitalized Georgia’s and the South’s economies

Charles Herty’s legacy impacts students today

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