Before one does any type of lab experiment, it is advise that one where a lab coat. It is a typical procedure and one that should not be forgotten. Ask anyone in elementary school and they will drone out the same rules pertaining to labs, “Eye goggles must be worn. Lab coats are to be on at all times. If anything is spilled, let the teacher know…” But one does not have to do a lab experiment to wear the universal lab coat. Go to a hospital or a dentist, and see dozens of doctors, orthodontists, and other medical professions wearing the typical, standardized white lab coat. However, others outside the medical and research facilities pondered for years about why exactly is the lab coat white. Why not red? Or blue? Or even pink?

It all started in the mid 1800s. Scientists were the only ones to wear lab coats. Since they were the ones researching the benefits of medicine and making the community healthier by making the public aware of the potential of science, they were highly respected and trusted by their peers, as well as society. Doctors wanted that very respect and trust (some wanted to surpass the respect of scientists) and therefore decided to wear lab coats as well. Wearing a stethoscope around their neck wasn’t simply enough.

However, even now, people, not even scientists or doctors, aren’t even sure why lab coats are white. It originially was meant to distiguish themselves from other professions, as well as keeping their clothes underneath clean. Perhaps white gives it a clean, professional look. Whatever the reason, lab coats sets the tone in a hospital, lab, dentist office, and any other medical facility.

On the contary, do not think that one have to attend medical school to wear a lab coat. Like previously stated, when one is starting on a lab, it is important that one wear a lab coat. lab coats can be found in several shapes and sizes, and one can easily find a lab coat to meet their needs.