The Origin of The White Lab Coat

The white lab coat is ubiquitous in movies, television, and yes, in real life. Researchers and doctors use these white coats in many of their day to day activities. But where did it come from? Why white? And why are they the standard today? It all started around the end of the 19th century.

Until around 1900, doctors wore black. It may seem strange and somewhat morbid now, but at that time black was considered formal; it still is for many occasions. The doctors were simply wearing the formal dress of the times and did so to mark the solemn nature of their work.

The black garb also took into consideration that through much of the 1800’s, and even up until the 20th century, a visit to the doctor was rarely a good thing. In many cases it was a last resort and a visit to the doctor often came just before a death. The methods and science behind medical intervention were often wrong and frequently harmful to a patient’s health.

It wasn’t until the late 1800’s and early 1900’s that medicine became the truly scientific profession that it is now.

The white coats represented a cleanliness and purity that had been missing from medicine before breakthroughs like John Lister’s ideas about antiseptics. So, the medical establishment borrowed a page from scientists who wore white in their labs. As the 20th century progressed, the white lab coat became ingrained into the public image of both doctors and scientists.

The best visual representation of the change comes from two paintings by Thomas Eakins. In one, The Gross Clinic, the operating doctors are wearing black suits and ties. That painting was done in 1875. But in 1889, Eakins also painted another operating scene, The Agnew Clinic. In this painting, the doctors wear white, and even the nurse wears a white apron.

Today, many medical and veterinary students go through a “white coat ceremony” before they meet patients. The ceremony was originated by Arnold P. Gold, MD, and marks the student’s transition to clinical health science.

Interestingly, public and medical attitudes have changed in the late 20th and early 21st centuries regarding the white lab coat. While many young patients prefer their doctors to wear it, many older patients prefer a doctor who doesn’t wear the coat. Surgeons now prefer scrubs because the white, combined with the light from operating rooms, can strain their eyes.

Psychiatrists and pediatricians don’t typically wear them because their goal is to put their patients at ease. Expectations regarding a white lab coat can also vary by country. In some places, it’s expected that a doctor will see a patient while wearing the white coat, in other countries it would be strange if the doctor showed up wearing his or her coat.

From the end of the 19th century to present day, the white lab coat has represented scientific rigor, purity, and experience. The design has been changed and tinkered with many times over to better fit various users, but the overall purpose has remained the same.