1919

Society of Chemical Industry awarded Cottrell the Perkin Medal.

The Perkin Medal was established in 1906 in honor of the 50th anniversary of the coal-tar color industry. It is one of the highest honors awarded in the U.S. industrial chemical industry and may be made to any chemist living in the U.S. for work he has done at any point in his career, “resulting in outstanding commercial development.” The award is named for Sir William Henry Perkin, who in 1856 discovered mauvine, the world’s first synthetic aniline dye. Perkin was the first recipient of the award.

Cottrell received the Perkin Medal for his scientific achievements in helium production during World War I.