Buzz
Our world is a vibrant kaleidoscope of colors (except when we dream, where everything often fades to black and white – curious when you think about it). While we are constantly surrounded by new shades and hues, some colors have all but vanished from existence, or are incredibly rare, or are gradually fading into obscurity. This list highlights a few of those pigments and shades that once graced nature, products, industries, and architecture.
10. Car Colors
Have you ever driven down the road and noticed how most cars seem to come in just four main colors (typically black, white, silver, or gray)? A major reason for this is resale value – car owners know that cars in these common colors are far more likely to sell quickly. Although you still spot some other colors (mostly bright hues on new small cars or muscle cars), the variety of car colors we once had has significantly diminished.
Anyone who recalls car colors from before the 1990s, particularly from the 1950s to the 1980s, will remember a wide variety of bold, sometimes strange hues on the road. So, where did these vibrant and quirky colors go? They didn’t disappear – many of these shades still exist today, though some are incredibly rare. One such color is Quinacridone Gold, once a popular choice for automobile paint but now nearly extinct. The sole manufacturer of this pigment stopped producing it years ago, and no one else has picked up the production. Despite this, Quinacridone Gold remains a favorite of some artists for watercolor and oil painting. What truly changed, however, was the technology behind the paint and how it’s applied to modern vehicles.
Indeed, cars from the 1950s to the 1970s were painted in far more striking and vibrant colors (my older sister drove a neon yellow 1975 Mercury Capri that practically shouted 'canary!' from the street). But it wasn’t just about the colors themselves – the way the paint sat on the car was different too. Back then, paints were flatter and less dynamic. Today’s paints seem to flow across the car’s surface, shifting in appearance depending on the angle. The older paints, often acrylic lacquer and enamel, were glossier, though not as glossy as modern finishes. The acrylic lacquer offered high pigmentation but had its drawbacks – it required quick-drying solvents (which have now been phased out for environmental and health reasons) and became brittle under UV exposure. As a result, colors would fade over time. I had a bright red Saab 900 that, after almost 15 years, had turned the same shade of pink seen in breast cancer awareness ads. Enamel paints were better but still had their own flaws.
Today, car manufacturers use advanced paints that undergo rigorous environmental and durability testing. These modern paints are far more resistant to chips, sunlight fading, and road salt than their predecessors. They have become more durable and even possess almost translucent qualities that were unimaginable back in the 1960s. Yet, there’s still a special place in our hearts for the unique car colors from the mid-20th century, now mostly found in museums and at car shows.
9. Dinosaur Colors
One of the age-old questions about dinosaurs has always been – what did they truly look like? Were they the dull, muted creatures often portrayed in books and movies, in shades of green, brown, or black? Or were they more like the colorful and patterned creatures we see today? Could they have had colors no longer seen in modern animals? While these colors are as extinct as the dinosaurs themselves, is it possible to uncover them through the study of fossils?
Until recently, this question remained unanswered, but new scientific breakthroughs have begun to reveal the possible colors of dinosaurs. By examining dinosaur fossils at a cellular level, researchers have analyzed ancient pigment-filled organelles known as melanosomes. These melanosomes contain melanin, the same pigment found in modern animals. Fossilized dinosaur feathers have provided clues, revealing melanosomes that suggest these feathered dinosaurs might have had dark bodies with vivid red (like ginger) markings and striped patterns. Interestingly, it’s the presence of these pigments that allowed the feathers to fossilize in the first place – if the feathers had been white (lacking pigment), they wouldn't have been preserved. Although the original pigments have long since faded due to chemical reactions over millions of years, scientists can still make educated guesses about the colors by studying the size and shape of the melanosomes. Animals today have melanosomes of specific shapes linked to particular colors, like black or red. If fossilized melanosomes resemble those found in modern black or red birds, scientists can infer that the dinosaurs likely sported similar colors.
Researchers have also examined the feathers of living animals to better understand how melanosome structures might indicate other color traits, such as iridescence. Using these models, they analyzed the preserved melanosomes in dinosaur feathers and discovered evidence of iridescence. This suggested that some dinosaurs may have had feathers that shimmered with shades of purple, blue, and green.
8. Piebald Hamster
Hamsters come in a wide array of colors and patterns, such as Banded, Dominant Spot, and Roan. One particular variation, similar to the Dominant Spot hamster (which features a white belly with dominant spots on its back), was the Piebald hamster. Unlike the Dominant Spot, the Piebald hamster was fully colored but had random white spots on its body. These spots varied in size and number, and the Piebald also had a colored belly – unlike the Dominant Spot hamster, which has an all-white belly. The Piebald hamster’s colored belly could even feature spots, setting it apart. The Dominant Spot hamster was first introduced in America in 1964 and quickly became more popular than the Piebald because it was easier to breed. Nowadays, the Piebald hamster is believed to be extinct, as no specimens have been spotted in years.
7. Pink Dolphins
Pink dolphins, also known as the “Boto,” live in the Amazon River and certain rivers in China, making them freshwater relatives of the oceanic dolphins we’re familiar with. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed them as a “vulnerable species-threatened,” and more recently, they’ve been classified as “endangered species-threatened.” Of the five species of river dolphins (the other four are effectively extinct), the Amazon pink dolphins are still holding on, but increased river traffic, as well as pollution and habitat loss, are starting to take their toll. These dolphins are naturally curious and often approach boats, but unfortunately, this puts them at risk of being injured or killed.
Amazon River dolphins belong to the genus Inia and are quite different from their oceanic cousins. Unlike ocean dolphins, which have dorsal fins, pink dolphins have humps on their backs. Their color can vary from blue-gray to brown, cream, or just plain gray, but many pink dolphins indeed appear pink. The reason for this is still a mystery, though scientists speculate that their diet, which consists of shelled creatures containing red pigments, might play a role. As the dolphins mature, the red pigment may accumulate in their skin, turning it pink. Additionally, the high number of blood capillaries near their skin’s surface may contribute to their distinctive hue. It’s crucial to protect these dolphins to ensure that the unique pink color remains a part of our world.
6. Caput Mortuum
This paint color is as rare as the source it came from – Egyptian mummies. Known as Caput Mortuum, or sometimes as “mummy brown” or “Egyptian brown,” this pigment was made by grinding up mummies. The term Caput Mortuum translates to “worthless remains,” and the pigment was popular in the 16th and 17th centuries. However, by the 19th century, its use fell out of favor once artists learned of its grim origin. For a brief period, it was used to color the robes of religious figures and was referred to as Cardinal Purple.
5. Indian Yellow
One pigment that would certainly spark outrage among modern animal rights activists is the now-extinct Indian yellow. Although its origins remain debated, it has long been believed that this transparent yellow pigment used in oil paints was derived from the urine of cows in India, specially fed on mango leaves. Indian yellow is a striking, luminous yellow that was widely favored by oil and watercolor artists. Its fluorescent qualities made it especially vibrant when exposed to sunlight.
However, an investigation into the production of this pigment in 1883 uncovered some unsettling facts. It was claimed that Indian yellow was made from the urine of cows that were fed only mango leaves. This urine was then collected, dried, and shaped into yellow pigment balls, which were then exported to Europe for processing into the Indian yellow paint pigment. In 1908, the process was deemed inhumane and was officially discontinued, as the cows were severely malnourished from their restricted diet. However, the story of its origins remains disputed, as no investigations have been able to find anyone in India who can confirm that cows were ever used in the production of this pigment. Today, synthetic Indian yellow, which is nickel-based, has replaced the original pigment.
4. Red (Orange) Fiesta Ware
Fiesta ware, first launched in the 1930s, is a line of colorful dinnerware produced by the Homer Laughlin China Company of Newell, West Virginia. While the original Fiesta ware was discontinued in 1973, it was later reintroduced. However, the vivid red and orange hues from the original Fiesta collection are no longer available for purchase, though you can still find these colors in vintage pieces from the period.
The five original colors of Fiesta ware were red, blue, green, yellow, and ivory. These colors were carefully chosen to complement each other, allowing people to mix and match their dinnerware. Red Fiesta ware, in particular, was the most popular, achieved its bright red (or orange) hue through the use of uranium dioxide in the glaze. It was also the most expensive due to the high amount of uranium dioxide (up to 15% by weight) and the complex firing process. This combination resulted in a brilliant and vibrant red or orange color that was unprecedented. From 1936 to 1943, red Fiesta ware was made using uranium dioxide until it was repurposed for atomic weapons development. Afterward, the company switched to using a depleted uranium product. The original pieces, made with radioactive uranium, remain both beautiful and potentially hazardous. The dangers stem from gamma rays emitted by the uranium glaze, beta particles that can linger on the surface, and radionuclides that may leach into food when served in the dinnerware.
Other colors of Fiesta ware, such as ivory, also contained small amounts of radioactive uranium, but the original bright red-orange Fiesta ware is by far the most radioactive. Due to the hazards associated with uranium, this color is unlikely to be found again in consumer products, including dinnerware.
3. Red Lead
Have you ever noticed an old metal bridge painted in red? For many years, red lead paint was used on almost all metal structures, especially those exposed to corrosive environments like bridges near bodies of water. Red lead, or 'minim,' derives its name from the Minius River in Spain where it was first mined. This bright orange or red pigment is made from lead tetraoxide. Up until the 1970s, red lead was mixed with linseed oil to create a thick, corrosion-resistant paint. It was most often applied as a primer on iron structures that needed protection from the elements. One of the most iconic uses of red lead paint was on the Golden Gate Bridge, which was coated in a red lead primer and topcoat. The original paint on the Golden Gate Bridge contained 68% red lead paste.
Today, the once-vibrant red and orange structures are being replaced by zinc-based primers and topcoats, due to the environmental and toxicity risks associated with lead. For example, since 1968, the Golden Gate Bridge has been repainted with an inorganic zinc silicate primer and vinyl topcoat, later switching to an acrylic topcoat to meet stricter air quality standards. In the U.S. and many other countries, the use of lead-based paints is heavily regulated. Zinc-based coatings used on bridges and metal structures are typically green. Although many old red-painted bridges still stand, they are slowly fading away. It’s estimated that thousands of old bridges in the U.S. are deteriorating and becoming unsafe. Before they are repainted with zinc-based paint, the old red lead must be carefully removed to protect workers from lead exposure and safeguard the environment.
2. Ivory Black
Ivory black is another pigment that would be on the radar of animal rights activists today. This deep, rich blue-black color was originally made by burning ivory from elephant tusks, with the leftover charred material then refined in oil to create the pigment. True ivory black came exclusively from this source, and for obvious reasons, it is no longer used today since elephants, the source of the ivory, are endangered. Sometimes referred to as 'bone char,' ivory black was similar but made from charring any animal bones, though it lacked the specific connection to ivory. The famous artist Rembrandt was one of the many masters who frequently used ivory black in his masterpieces.
1. Verdigris
Verdigris, meaning 'green of Greece,' is a transparent blue-green pigment that dates back to ancient times and was used until the Middle Ages in various paints and materials. For centuries, verdigris was the brightest green pigment available and was a staple for artists during the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Unfortunately, verdigris is derived from copper acetate, which is highly toxic to humans. This copper-based pigment is also reactive and will darken over time, turning brown or black. With the advent of more stable green pigments, the use of verdigris gradually declined, and it is now rarely used by artists.
+ Red Heads
In 2007, some media outlets reported that redheads were on the verge of extinction, with predictions suggesting that gingers would vanish by as early as 2060. Gone would be the fiery red locks of characters like Archie or Ginger. However, it turns out that these so-called 'genetic experts' were mistaken. Redheads, much like blondes, are not going anywhere and will not be disappearing anytime soon.
Many of the articles claiming that redheads are going extinct referenced a supposed 'Oxford Hair Foundation' and leaned on the false assumption that recessive genes, such as those responsible for red hair, will naturally disappear over time. This is simply untrue. While recessive genes are rarer than dominant ones, they can only vanish if everyone carrying them dies or fails to reproduce. Since there are still plenty of redheads around, it's highly unlikely that such a catastrophe could occur (even with Cartman’s evil intentions).
In 2007, National Geographic published an article on the global population of redheads, addressing the myth of their extinction. While acknowledging the belief that redheads might one day fade out, they did not support this idea. Instead, they concluded, “while redheads may decline, the potential for red isn’t going away.”
