11 February 19

Today's tie honors the birthday last week (8 February) of Friedlieb Ferdinand Runge (1794-1867). He was a German analytical chemist who identified the mydriatic effects of belladonna extract, identified caffeine, and discovered the first coal tar dye. On his special day, Google celebrated with an animated Doodle about his research with coffee! I don't drink the stuff but I am happy to indulge Beth's mostly-harmless addiction. The steaming-coffee tie came to me recently from the collection of Alan Durand Stephens.