Waldo Semon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Waldo Semon
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Waldo Lonsbury Semon
September 10, 1898 |
| Died | May 26, 1999 (aged 100) |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | University of Washington (B.S., Ph.D.) |
| Known for | PVC |
| Awards | Charles Goodyear Medal (1944) Elliott Cresson Medal (1964) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Chemistry |
Waldo Lonsbury Semon (September 10, 1898 – May 26, 1999) was a brilliant American inventor. He was born in Demopolis, Alabama. Semon is famous for finding ways to make PVC plastic useful for many things. He also helped create a special kind of synthetic rubber.
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Who Was Waldo Semon?
Waldo Lonsbury Semon was born on September 10, 1898. He loved learning and went to the University of Washington. There, he earned his degrees in 1920 and 1924. His advanced degree was one of the first in the country for Chemical Engineering. This field combines chemistry and engineering to design new materials and processes.
Making Plastic Flexible: The Story of PVC
Semon is best known for making vinyl (PVC) flexible. PVC is the third most used plastic in the world! Before Semon's work, PVC was hard and brittle. It was not very useful.
Semon discovered how to add special chemicals called plasticizers to PVC. This made the plastic soft and bendable. He found the right mix by trying out different synthetic materials. The result was a flexible substance that wasn't sticky. This discovery made PVC much more useful for many products we use every day.
Inventing New Kinds of Rubber
Waldo Semon also worked on improving rubber. He even developed a special kind of man-made rubber. On December 11, 1935, he created a material called Koroseal. This polymer could be made into many different forms. It was made from simple things like salt, coke, and limestone.
Later, in 1940, Semon had another big success. He helped create Ameripol for the B.F. Goodrich company. This was a very important synthetic rubber, especially during World War II. It helped the United States make tires and other products when natural rubber was hard to get.
Did He Invent Bubble Gum?
Sometimes, people think Waldo Semon invented bubble gum. This is not quite true! He did invent a type of synthetic rubber that could be used as a chewing gum. It could even make really big bubbles! However, this product was never sold to the public. It remained a scientific curiosity.
Awards and Later Life
Waldo Semon was a very successful inventor. He held 116 patents for his inventions! A patent is like a special license that protects an inventor's new idea.
He received many important awards for his work:
- The Charles Goodyear Medal in 1944.
- The Elliott Cresson Medal in 1964.
- The Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement in 1965.
In 1995, when he was 97 years old, Semon was honored by being added to the Invention Hall of Fame. After he retired from B.F. Goodrich, he continued to share his knowledge. He became a research professor at Kent State University in Ohio. Waldo Semon lived a long and impactful life, passing away on May 26, 1999, at the age of 100.
Waldo Semon's Legacy
Waldo Semon's contributions to chemistry and materials science are still important today. The flexible PVC he helped create is used in everything from pipes and flooring to clothing and toys. His work made many modern products possible.
A beautiful natural area, the Waldo Semon Woods Conservation Area, is named after him. He donated the land to Metro Parks in Summit County, Ohio. This area is over 100 acres and has a pond where you can often see herons, turtles, and amphibians. It's a peaceful place that honors his generosity.
