Waldo Semon American chemist, inventor Date of Birth: 10.09.1899 Country: USA

1. Early Life and Education
2. Development of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
3. Synthetic Rubber and Koroseal
4. Recognition and Awards
5. Later Life and Legacy

Early Life and Education

Waldo Semon was born in Demopolis, Alabama, on September 10, 1898. He earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry and a doctorate in chemical engineering from Washington University in St. Louis.

Development of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

Semon's most significant contribution was his development of a method to enhance the properties of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in 1926. By blending various synthetic polymers, he created a material that was flexible yet non-tacky. PVC's physiological harmlessness, moisture resistance, and durability made it widely applicable, becoming the second most popular plastic globally.

Synthetic Rubber and Koroseal

Semon also worked on improving rubber formulations and eventually developed a synthetic substitute. On December 11, 1935, he created Koroseal, a polymer that could be manufactured with varying densities. He also developed over 5,000 other synthetic rubber mixtures, culminating in the successful Ameripol in 1940 for BFGoodrich. Semon held a total of 116 patents.

Recognition and Awards

Semon was inducted into the Invention Hall of Fame in 1995 at the age of 97. He received the Charles Goodyear Medal in 1944 and the Elliott Cresson Medal in 1964.

Later Life and Legacy

After retiring from BFGoodrich, Semon became a research professor at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. He died in Hudson, Ohio, on May 26, 1999, at the age of 100. The Waldo Semon Woods Conservation Area in Ohio was named in his honor for his land donation to Metro Parks.