CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics
The first edition of the CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics appeared in 1914. It emerged from the Chemical Rubber Company, which later became CRC Press. Chemists began calling it the Rubber Bible because of that company name origin. The book has now reached its 105th edition with a publication date in 2024. This single volume has survived over a century of scientific change. Early versions were thick enough to serve as doorstops for some laboratories.
The 3604-page 1962, 1963 edition contained information on many branches of science and engineering. That version included sections like Antidotes of Poisons and Musical Scales alongside standard physics data. Later editions eliminated much of this common information to focus almost exclusively on chemistry and physics topics. Mathematical Tables originally published as a supplement up to the 9th edition in 1952 became separate starting with the 10th edition in 1956. The handbook shifted away from broad engineering topics toward specialized chemical and physical constants across different decades.
Section organization changed significantly between the 7th edition and the 102nd edition. The 7th edition listed items such as Wire Tables and Apparatus Lists under Miscellaneous categories. By the time the 45th through 70th editions arrived, the structure split into Section B for Elements and Inorganic Compounds and Section C for Organic Compounds. The 71st through 102nd editions reorganized everything into Section 1 for Basic Constants and Section 16 for Health and Safety Information. These changes reflect how scientific priorities shifted over more than eighty years of publication history.
CRC Press serves as the publisher of engineering handbooks and references across virtually all scientific disciplines. W. M. Haynes held the role of Editor-in-Chief during the 95th Edition released on the 26th of June 2014. That specific edition contained 2693 pages of data. The company has guided the book's development since its inception in 1914. Editorial leadership ensures consistency while allowing content to evolve with new discoveries.
Researchers worldwide rely on this handbook as a primary reference tool for their work. Students use it to find physical constants and conversion factors quickly. Professionals cite its data in papers and technical reports every day. The 8th edition published in 1920 remains available as a PDF copy online today. Its enduring status proves that a single volume can support science research for generations.
Continue Browsing
Common questions
When was the first edition of the CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics published?
The first edition of the CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics appeared in 1914. It emerged from the Chemical Rubber Company, which later became CRC Press.
How many editions has the CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics reached as of 2024?
The book has now reached its 105th edition with a publication date in 2024. This single volume has survived over a century of scientific change.
What specific changes occurred to the section organization between the 7th edition and the 102nd edition?
Section organization changed significantly between the 7th edition and the 102nd edition. The 71st through 102nd editions reorganized everything into Section 1 for Basic Constants and Section 16 for Health and Safety Information.
Who served as Editor-in-Chief during the 95th Edition released on the 26th of June 2014?
W. M. Haynes held the role of Editor-in-Chief during the 95th Edition released on the 26th of June 2014. That specific edition contained 2693 pages of data.
Which edition of the CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics remains available as a PDF copy online today?
The 8th edition published in 1920 remains available as a PDF copy online today. Its enduring status proves that a single volume can support science research for generations.