Wallace Carothers
27 April 1896 – 29 April 1937
Wallace Hume Carothers was an American chemist who led organic chemistry research at DuPont, where his group invented neoprene and nylon. His work on polymerization laid the foundations of modern polymer science. He died by suicide in 1937, before nylon was commercially introduced.
Lived at the same time
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Life events
Wallace Hume Carothers was born in Burlington, Iowa, the eldest of four children.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgCarothers completed his undergraduate degree in chemistry at Tarkio College in Missouri, where he also taught during his studies.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgHe earned his doctorate at the University of Illinois under Roger Adams.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgCarothers joined Harvard as an instructor in organic chemistry before moving to industry.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgHe became head of organic chemistry research at DuPont's Experimental Station in Wilmington, Delaware.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgCarothers's laboratory at DuPont produced the synthetic rubber later marketed as neoprene.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgCarothers's team produced nylon 6,6, the first fully synthetic fiber, in early 1935.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgHe became the first industrial organic chemist elected to the U.S. National Academy of Sciences.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgCarothers married Helen Sweetman, a DuPont employee, in 1936.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgSuffering from depression, Carothers died by suicide in a Philadelphia hotel room two days after his 41st birthday.
Source: en.wikipedia.org