Stephanie Kwolek was born to Polish parents in Pittsburgh in 1923 on July 31st. Kwolek is best known for her invention of Kevlar. Kevlar is, by dictionary definition “a synthetic fiber of high tensile strength used especially as a reinforcing agent in the manufacture of tires and other rubber products and protective gear such as helmets and vests.” Perhaps the most important take away from the definition, is the helmets and vests part. Kwolek is the very woman who invented what protects our cops and our soldiers, who in turn, protect us.
Kwolek is technically from the States, but is born and raised in a Polish immigrant family. She lost her father when she was only 10 years old. Before his passing, she explored much of the natural world with her father. Although she was born in the US, the culture here alone was very different when she grew up and invented Kevlar than it is now. Throughout her upbringing she lived through the Great Depression, World War II, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, and more. Even though she did not have a part in the application of what she had created, she was the first to discover the material and signed over the patent to the DuPont company.
Unfortunately I would not be able to have an interview with her at this date. However, there are plenty of interviews with her that are out there that I could use in order to further my research.
http://www.chemheritage.org/discover/collections/oral-histories/details/kwolek-stephanie-l-0168.aspx
http://www.chemheritage.org/discover/online-resources/women-in-chemistry/stephanie-kwolek.aspx
http://www.britannica.com/biography/Stephanie-Kwolek
Thanks for sharing the post.