| There are many people throughout history who have left a significant mark. Usually it is for an event that changes the course of history and thereafter goes little further. Wallace Carothers is unknown to many people and yet his contribution to mankind is so significant he should be better known than those influence world leaders. | |
| Carothers was born 27 April 1896 in Burlington, Iowa, USA. His
interests developed into music, sports, politics, the arts, teaching and
chemistry. The latter was to be his reason for being and his ultimate
contribution to the world. An extremely talented man he studied secretarial work
and accounting. He attended Tarkio College, Missouri as a science student where
he became a Bachelor of Science. So committed and able he was there asked to teach.
Whilst teaching, which included a variety of colleges he gained degree's at Masters
level and a Doctorate at The University of Illinois. His scientific specialism was
Organic Chemistry which was to enable him as one of the most significant human
beings this century.
DuPont, (E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company) appointed Carothers as Director of Research on joining the company in 1928 at their laboratory at Wilmington, Delaware. He was remain there until his untimely death in 1928. Carothers was to head DuPont's research into organic chemistry with the most modern facilities and equipment backed up by a team of associates all holding doctorates. |
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It seems to be the most studious and thereby unassuming of people who rise to
greatness and Carothers was no exception. Under his direction the team developed
what we now refer to as Nylon and creating practical production technology. They
also developed Neoprene with Carothers responsible for the lodging of 50 patents.
Many of todays products would never exist were it not for Carothers and his direction. His ability in research and development created, in part a void in his domestic life, which was partially filled by his marriage in 1936 to DuPont worker Helen Sweetman. The death of his sister in 1937 led to deepening of depression. Success in one area of life does not mean success in others and the deeply intelligent are more susceptible to depression than most. He ended his life by taking cyanide, strangely within a drink of lemon juice. Wallace Carothers provided so much, but developments in medicine were not as forward as his organic chemistry. Depression is the inability of the brain to transfer messages we all take for granted. This can be corrected or allowed to repair through drugs, but not in the 1930's. Without them the sufferer feels as though in fog of doubt irrespective of probable and real achievements. His death in 1937 left the world a better place for his work to date and a much worse place without a truly great man. He never even saw the his daughter born that same year. |
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| WALLACE CAROTHERS BOOKS Enough for One Lifetime : Wallace Carothers, Inventor of Nylon (History of Modern Chemical Sciences) by Matthew E. Hermes |
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