Benedict's solution and Fehling's test are often used to reach the same conclusion as this chemical, but Brady's reagent is usually used first to determine the presence of a carbonyl group.  
Its namesake discovered pentaerythritol in 1882 when a solution of acetaldehyde and formaldehyde reacted with barium hydroxide.  It is also used to test for the presence of alkynes with the triple bond in the 1 position, forming a yellow precipitate if positive.  Benedict's solution and Fehling's test are often used to reach the same conclusion as this chemical, but Brady's reagent is usually used first to determine the presence of a carbonyl group.  Usually an aqueous solution of ammoniacal silver nitrate, FTP, identify this reagent that tests whether a given substance is an aldehyde or a ketone.
Its namesake discovered pentaerythritol in 1882 when a solution of acetaldehyde and formaldehyde reacted with barium hydroxide.  
Tollens' reagent (accept ammoniacal silver nitrate before it is mentioned)