Spinning the Elements was first created as a stationary exhibit consisting of photographs and artifacts relating to the story of Wallace Carothers and nylon. The exhibit served to establish a connection between its viewers and the people and events surrounding nylon's invention. This website was created to bring that experience to a much wider audience. The photographs and artifacts of that exhibit may be viewed in the Photo Gallery section of this site.

Complimenting the Photo Gallery section which is aimed at a general audience, the remainder of the site deals with the scientific and engineering aspects of the nylon saga, with the goal of further describing the technical dimensions of the drama to students of chemistry and chemical engineering. Special attention is paid to describing nylon in the broader context of Carothers' other scientific accomplishments, and the impact his invention had on both the scientific world and everyday life.