Date of Birth: July 31, 1923
Zodiac Sign: Leo
Date of Death: June 18, 2014
Biography
Stephanie Louise Kwolek was an American chemist best known for her invention of Kevlar, a high-strength material used in bulletproof vests and other applications. Born on July 31, 1923, in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, Kwolek had a keen interest in science from an early age, influenced by her father’s naturalist hobbies and her mother’s sewing skills. She graduated from the Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University) in 1946 with a degree in chemistry. Kwolek joined DuPont in 1946, where she initially worked on developing new polymers for use in tires. Her groundbreaking discovery of liquid crystalline polymer solutions in 1965 led to the creation of Kevlar. For her contributions, she received several prestigious awards, including the National Medal of Technology and Innovation and induction into the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Kwolek retired from DuPont in 1986 after a 40-year career but continued to inspire future generations through her mentorship and advocacy for women in science. She passed away on June 18, 2014, at the age of 90.
5 Interesting Facts about Stephanie Kwolek
1. Stephanie Kwolek was one of only a few women working in chemical research at DuPont during the 1940s and 1950s.
2. Kevlar, her most famous invention, is five times stronger than steel by weight.
3. Kwolek was awarded the Chemical Pioneer Award by the American Institute of Chemists in 1980.
4. She held 28 patents during her career at DuPont.
5. Kwolek was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 2003.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Stephanie Kwolek
1. “All sorts of things can happen when you’re open to new ideas and playing around with things.”
2. “I never in a thousand years expected that little liquid crystal discovery would turn into what it did.”
3. “I’m not the type of person who feels comfortable about being recognized for her achievements.”
4. “I don’t think there’s anything like saving someone’s life to bring you satisfaction and happiness.”
5. “I feel very lucky to have come across what I did and to have had some influence.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Stephanie Kwolek’s highest net worth is not publicly documented, but her contributions to science and technology have had immeasurable value.
Children
Stephanie Kwolek never married and did not have any children.
Relevant Links
1. [Wikipedia: Stephanie Kwolek](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephanie_Kwolek
2. [National Inventors Hall of Fame](https://www.invent.org/inductees/stephanie-kwolek
3. [National Women’s Hall of Fame](https://www.womenofthehall.org/inductee/stephanie-kwolek/
