Why does HYDRA have such inefficient lab coats?

Why does HYDRA have such inefficient lab coats? - Unrecognizable African American scientist studying anatomy with tablet

In Agents of SHIELD S02E03, Jemma Simmons is shown working for HYDRA in their scientific labs. Only, the lab coat she's wearing is black!

What I don't get is, aren't lab coats white to easily identify any chemical spilled on them? In that way, any damage done to the person working with those chemicals or their surroundings can be predicted and treated. If lab coats are black, they're basically like raincoats. There just to prevent direct contact.

Am I missing something here? Or is my whole concept of lab coats completely wrong?



Best Answer

According to this

A white coat or laboratory coat (often abbreviated to lab coat) is a knee-length overcoat/smock worn by professionals in the medical field or by those involved in laboratory work. The coat protects their street clothes and also serves as a simple uniform. The garment is made from white or light-colored cotton, linen, or cotton polyester blend, allowing it to be washed at high temperature and make it easy to see if it is clean.

Vs. Black

Until the mid-1920s, students who were examining cadavers would wear black lab coats to show respect for the dead. Black lab coats were used in early biomedical and microbiology laboratories because any contamination that settled on them was easily visible.

Seems like different colors have different purposes (practical or ceremonious), but I imagine that HYDRA is wearing black labs only as a cosmetic choice made by the costume designers of the show. Come on, black lab coats look so much cooler than white ones. I doubt technical accuracy was high on their list :)




Pictures about "Why does HYDRA have such inefficient lab coats?"

Why does HYDRA have such inefficient lab coats? - Photo Of Woman Looking Through Camera
Why does HYDRA have such inefficient lab coats? - Female Scientist in White Lab Coat Using a Microscope
Why does HYDRA have such inefficient lab coats? - Crop laboratory technician examining interaction of chemicals in practical test modern lab





The Undying Hydra: A Freshwater Mini-Monster That Defies Aging | Deep Look




More answers regarding why does HYDRA have such inefficient lab coats?

Answer 2

White lab coats are more about giving the impression of cleanliness, than any practical difference. Like Apple products or JJ Abrams' USS Enterprise, smooth white and well-lit just looks so clean compared to dark or textured surfaces. It's a powerful association in the mind of the observer, but objectively it's just as easy to have a brown patterned surface be sterile as a smooth white one.

Anyone who's ever owned a black car will tell you that you can see ANY amount of dirt on it immediately, while white cars allow dust and dirt to build up a bit before they look "dirty." Also, spilling oil will be easier to see on a white coat, but spilling milk will be easier to see on black. It all just depends on what you're working with.

So basically, it isn't really as impractical a choice as the question assumes. But ultimately, it was an artistic decision. They're the bad guys, so hell yeah, black lab coats. Makes 'em look so evil...

Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Images: RF._.studio, Artem Podrez, Edward Jenner, RF._.studio