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Beilstein was founded as German-language standard reference work for organic chemistry was intended to supplement the content of the Chemisches Zentralblatt.
In light of the leading role of German chemistry in international science, Beilstein's handbook quickly became renowned as a standard reference throughout the world.
The first edition of his "Handbuch der organischen Chemie" appeared in two volumes in 1881 and 1883, referencing 15,000 compounds in about 2,200 pages.