Background
Toch, Maximilian was born on July 17, 1864 in New York, New York, United States. Son of Moses and Caroline (Levy) Toch.
Toch, Maximilian was born on July 17, 1864 in New York, New York, United States. Son of Moses and Caroline (Levy) Toch.
Special course in chemistry, New York University, 1882, Bachelor of Laws, 1886. Post graduate special course, Columbia University, 1896. Chemical East., Cooper Union.
Doctor of Science, Peking University, 1924.
He was the co-owner of the New York firms Toch Brothers and the Standard Varnish Works, where he was head of research and production. Before and during World War I, he was a major contributor to the development of ship camouflage in the United States, as well as an early practitioner of the use of chemistry in the authentication of works of art He also earned degrees in law.
He taught chemistry and chemical engineering and industrial chemistry at colleges and universities, including Cooper Union, Beijing University, Columbia University, City College of New York, and the National Academy of Design.
According to the New York Times (1946), in which Toch is referred to as "America’s first camoufleur", his contribution to ship camouflage included originating the color adopted by the United States. Navy as standard "battleship gray". By his own account (Toch 1919), he had camouflaged fortifications in Panama as early as 1915, the success of which led to his being assigned to camouflage shipyards and docks on the East Coast of the United States. during World War I.
In 1917, a ship concealment plan devised by Toch, known as the Toch System, was one of five camouflage measures approved by the United States. Naval Consulting Board for use on merchant ships (Behrens 2009, pp 350–351).
He became convinced that it was largely impossible to lower the visibility of a ship, but that a better objective would be course deception (Toch 1931a, pp 308–309), popularly known as dazzle camouflage. Toch’s outspoken views about the use of chemical analysis in authenticating works of art became controversial in the 1920s (Hendrick 1929), when he claimed that the majority of paintings attributed to Rembrandt had not in fact been painted by him (Toch 1931b), including works in the collections of art museums.
As a result, it was said at the time that art dealers "entertain a wholesome fear of him" (Hendrick 1919, p 704).
Toch produced books on subjects related to chemistry, among them The Chemistry and Technology of Mixed Paints (1907), Materials for Permanent Painting (1911), How To Paint Permanent Pictures (1922), Paint, Paintings and Restoration (1931), and Protection and Decoration of Concrete (1931).
Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Micros. Society of New York, Royal Photographic Society, Chemical Society of London, American Institute Chemists (president). Member American Chemical Society, Society Chemical Industry, American Institute Chemical Engineers, Honorary.
Member American Institute of Chemists.
Society of American Magicians. In charge of camouflage, United States, World War 1, and originator of Toch system of camouflage.
Clubs: Chemists’ (ex-president), Camera (New York).
Married Hermine East. Levy, October 14, 1891. Children: Elaine, Constance, Alma, Maxine.