Morgan, Paul W.

Born in West Chesterfield, New Hampshire on 30 August 1911. Died on 28 May 1992 Education: B.S., Chemistry, University of Maine (1937), Ph.D., Organic Chemistry, Ohio State University (1940). Employment: 1937-1941 Ohio State University; 1941-1976 E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company.

Paul Winthrop Morgan was born in West Chesterfield, N.H. on August 30, 1911, and spent his childhood in Thomaston, Maine. He graduated from the University of Maine in 1937 with a bachelor of science in chemistry and received his Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Ohio State University in 1940. After completing an additional year of post-doctoral study investigating cellulose derivatives, Morgan was recruited by William Hale Charch to work in the Rayon Department's Pioneering Research Section as a research chemist. This section was responsible for long range exploratory research directed at the discovery of innovative products and processes with commercial applications. Following his appointment as research associate in 1946, Morgan assumed greater responsibility for selecting new areas of investigation and for managing his own projects. He spent nine years in Buffalo before moving to the new Pioneering Research Laboratory at the Experimental Station in 1950. The Rayon Department was renamed Textile Fibers in 1952. Morgan was promoted to research fellow in 1957.

Morgan's most outstanding contributions to Pioneering Research involved interfacial polycondensation reactions, a previously unexplored field of polymer chemistry. Typically, condensation polymers, such as polyamides and polyesters were produced by a tedious process which required reduced pressure and elevated temperature, Morgan demonstrated that it was possible to instantaneously produce a polyamide at room temperature. When a solution of diacid chloride in organic solvent is brought into contact with an aqueous solution of aliphatic diamine, a thin yet strongly coherent film is formed at the interface of these two solutions. As the film is pulled from the interface, it is continuously replaced to form an endless cord. Morgan's seemingly magic demonstration, was dubbed the nylon rope trick.

Morgan's interfacial polycondensation research ultimately yielded several commercially successful products. Among these were Nomex, a high temperature resistant, thermally stable aramid fiber; Fiber B, a new tire reinforcing fiber that was twice as strong as ordinary synthetic tire yarns; and PRD-49, a high modulus organic fiber marketed as Kevlar aramid fiber. Kevlar exhibited unparalleled strength and density and has been widely used in the manufacture of aircraft parts and protective body armor for military and law enforcement personnel. The importance of Morgan's polymer condensation work is underscored by the fact that DuPont invested more than 350 person-years of effort into research based on Morgan's original findings.

In recognition of his exceptional accomplishments in research and development work, Morgan was named Senior Research Fellow in 1973. At the time, he was the first person in 15 years to hold this title in the Textile Fibers Department. By the time he retired in 1976, Morgan had been awarded over 30 United States patents and published more than 30 papers, as well as a comprehensive text on condensation polymers. Morgan devoted a portion of his retirement years to collecting and researching nineteenth century American hand tools. He died in Maine on May 28, 1992.