Her Invention Saves Lives Every Day But You Don’t Know Her Name

By | June 21, 2019

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Stephanie Kwolek, a chemist and inventor. Source: (forbes.com)

Stephanie Kwolek. Remember that name. She is the award-winning inventor and chemist that developed Kevlar, a material used in hundreds of applications, most notably for bullet-proof vests. Her groundbreaking invention in 1965 has saved the lives of countless police officers, military members, and extreme athletes, yet few people remember her name. Let’s look at the remarkable life and innovation of Stephanie Kwolek, one of the most important inventors you’ve never heard of. 

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Kwolek contemplated careers in teaching, medicine, and fashion design. Source: (bustle.com)

A Diverse Childhood

Stephanie Kwolek was born in 1923 in New Kensington, Pennsylvania. As a child, she was bright and curious. She loved to explore the fields and woods around her home and made careful observations about the trees, wildflowers, and grasses that she found. She also learned to sew and developed a fascination with different types of fabrics. She toyed with being a fashion designer, teacher, doctor, and chemist.