Stephanie L. Kwolek

Stephanie Kwolek starts this interview by describing her family background. Her father's early death meant that her mother had to work to support Kwolek and her brother, who later became a chemical engineer. At the Carnegie Institute of Technology, Kwolek shifted her interests from medicine to chemistry. Deciding to enter industry, she accepted a position with the Rayon Department of DuPont at Buffalo. There, she started her career in polymer synthesis and worked with Izard, Wittbecker, and Morgan. When the laboratory moved to Wilmington, Kwolek was associated with the low ­temperature polymerization program. In the interview, Kwolek then discusses the nylon rope trick, DuPont promotion policy, and liquid crystalline polymers. She concludes with her reflections on colleagues and DuPont consultants.

E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company

1946 - 1959 Chemist

E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company

1959 - 1967 Research Chemist

E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company

1967 - 1974 Senior Research Chemist

E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company

1974 - 1986 Research Assoicate

E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company

1986 - present Consultant

National Academy of Sciences, Research Council

1986 - present Consultant

Raymond C. Ferguson

Raymond C. Ferguson obtained his degrees in chemistry from Iowa State University (B.S., M.S.) and Harvard University (Ph.D.). He worked in research divisions of the Organic Chemicals, Elastomer Chemicals, and Central Research Departments of DuPont, principally in molecular spectroscopy, organic structure analysis, and polymer characterization. Currently he is affiliated with CONDUX, Inc., a consulting association of former DuPont professionals.