Oral history interview with Stephanie L. Kwolek 1998 March 21

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Oral history interview with Stephanie L. Kwolek 1998 March 21

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/316216702

Stephanie Kwolek begins the interview with a discussion of her early career at DuPont. She joined DuPont in 1946, the same year she earned her B.S. in chemistry at Carnegie-Mellon University. Kwolek spent much of her time working on polymers, including aliphatic and aromatic polyamides. She discusses her level of independence in the laboratory, as well as her relationship with her supervisors. Kwolek began work with 1,4-B and was able to get a high molecular weight polymer. It was eventually discovered that the polymer spun beautifully and was quite strong. This polymer became Kevlar. Kwolek describes industry competition, the testing and scale-up of Kevlar, and the problems of confidentiality. She further discusses the relationship between Kevlar and Paul Flory's theory of liquid polymer crystals. Kwolek concludes the interview with comments on her love of writing, her decision to leave DuPont, and the future of polymer research.

Sound files digital, mp3 fileTranscript : (31 leaves) ; 29 cm.

Chemical Heritage Foundation, Othmer Library of Chemical History

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SNAC Resource ID: 7321228

Chemical Heritage Foundation, Othmer Library of Chemical History

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There are 6 Entities related to this resource.

Kwolek, Stephanie, 1923-

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6zc9nh9 (person)

Born in New Kensington, Pennsylvania on 31 July 1923. Education: B.S., Chemistry, Carnegie-Mellon University (1946). Employment: 1946- E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Co., Inc.; 1986- National Academy of Sciences, Research Council. From the description of Oral history interview with Stephanie L. Kwolek 1998 March 21 (Chemical Heritage Foundation). WorldCat record id: 316216702 ...

E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company

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The family firm of E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company was established in 1802 and during the 19th century it became one of the United States' most important manufacturers of black powder. In 1902 three younger du Pont cousins: T. Coleman, Alfred I., and Pierre S. took over the company and within three years succeeded in bringing 75% of the American explosives industry (which at that time included black powder, dynamite, and smokeless powder) under their control. During the first decade of the...

Chemical Heritage Foundation.

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Society of Chemical Industry (Great Britain). American Section

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Bensaude-Vincent, Bernadette.

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National Research Council (U.S.)

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The National Research Council was organized by the National Academy of Sciences in 1916 to associate the broad community of science and technology with the Academy's purposes of further knowledge and advising the federal government. The Council has become the principal operating agency of both the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering in providing services to the government, the public, and the scientific and engineering communities. From the descriptio...