Stephanie Kwolek, the inventor of Kevlar, passed away at the age of 90. Her groundbreaking work in 1965 led to the development of flexible, high-strength fibers used in life-saving body armor for law enforcement and military personnel. DuPont CEO Ellen Kullman highlighted Kwolek's legacy, noting that her invention has saved thousands of lives and prevented numerous injuries. The recent sale of the one millionth Kevlar vest underscores the ongoing significance of her discovery in various applications, including bulletproof vests, sports equipment, and smartphones.
PREREQUISITESThis discussion is beneficial for chemists, material scientists, historians of science, and professionals in law enforcement and military sectors interested in advancements in protective gear technology.
That's quite a legacy.As one of the few pioneering female chemists in the 1960s, Stephanie Kwolek invented the flexible, tougher than steel fibers that were used to create life-saving body armor for law enforcement and soldiers.
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"She leaves a wonderful legacy of thousands of lives saved and countless injuries prevented by products made possible by her discovery," DuPont CEO Ellen Kullman said in a statement.
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In 1965, Kwolek devised a liquid crystal solution that could be cold-spun. Nearly half a century later, her discovery and legacy have endured through a variety of goods ranging from bulletproof vests to sports rackets and smartphones.
Earlier this week, the one millionth vest using the latest Kevlar technology was sold, according to DuPont, showing just how important Kwolek's discovery remains, even half a century after she did what researchers had long struggled to do.
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