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Stephanie KwolekAmerican chemist, inventor of polyparaphenylene terephthalamide
Date of Birth: 31.07.1923
Country:  USA |
Content:
Biography of Stephanie Louise Kwolek
Early Life and EducationStephanie Louise Kwolek was an American chemist and the inventor of poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide, more commonly known as 'Kevlar'. She was born in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, and her father, John Kwolek, passed away when she was 10 years old. Stephanie credited her interest in chemistry to her father, while her mother, Nellie Zajdel Kwolek, fostered her interest in fashion. In 1946, Stephanie graduated from the Margaret Morrison Carnegie College of Carnegie Mellon University, specializing in chemistry. She planned to pursue a doctoral degree but needed financial support, which she hoped to earn through the chemical industry.
Career at DuPont
In 1946, Hale Charch, Stephanie's future mentor, offered her a position at the 'DuPont' company in Buffalo, New York. Initially, Stephanie did not intend to stay in the company for long; however, her passion for chemistry grew, and she abandoned her medical plans. In 1950, Stephanie relocated to Wilmington, Delaware, where she continued working at DuPont. In 1959, she received an award from the American Chemical Society for her work in polymer chemistry.
Invention of Kevlar
Stephanie invented Kevlar while working at DuPont. In 1964, her team began searching for a lightweight yet strong material suitable for tires. Stephanie was working on polymers like poly-p-phenylene terephthalate and polybenzamide, and the result was a liquid crystal that was radically different from all known polymers at that time. The new substance did not meet the original goal and was destined to end up in the waste bin. However, Stephanie became interested in the polymer and convinced technician Charles Smullen, who operated the polymer "spinning" machine, to extract solid material from the liquid. The material exceeded Stephanie's expectations, as the new fiber could withstand loads that nylon could only dream of. The company's management quickly recognized Stephanie's breakthrough, and a new field of polymer chemistry was created almost overnight. By 1971, Kevlar had taken its modern form, although Stephanie did not pay much attention to its practical implementation.
Later Career and Recognition
In 1986, Stephanie retired as a researcher, but she continued to serve as a consultant to her company. She also worked at the National Research Council and the National Academy of Sciences. Throughout her 40 years of scientific career, Stephanie obtained between 17 and 28 patents. In 1995, she became the fourth woman inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame. In 1996, Stephanie received the National Medal of Technology, and in 2003, she was included in the National Women's Hall of Fame. In 1997, Stephanie was awarded the Perkin Medal by the American Chemical Society, and in 1980, she received their Creative Invention Award.
