ABSTRACT
The original LC chromatographic system of Tswett consisted of a vertical glass tube, a few centimeters in diameter and about 3 0 em high, packed about halfway up with the adsorbent (calcium carbonate). The extract of plant pigments was placed on the top of the packing and the mobile phase carefully added to fill the tube. The solvent percolated through the packing under gravity, developing the separation which was observed as it proceeded by the different colored bands at the wall of the tube. The simple apparatus of Tswett contained all the essentials of a modem chromatograph but, although he might have recognized the modem LC column for what it is, it is doubtful if the modern liquid chromatograph would have had any meaning for him.
