This reading takes the students into the life of Wallace Carothers. Carothers is one of the founders of polymer science as a scientific discipline, and as such laid the foundations for the work carried out by the other two scientists profiled in this module. His story is very useful in illustrating the human face of science, as he is one of the most fascinating and misunderstood figures in the history of chemistry.

An excellent biography of Carothers, Enough for One Lifetime: Wallace Carothers, Inventor of Nylon (Hermes, Matthew, Washington, D.C.: American Chemical Society; Philadelphia: Chemical Heritage Foundation, 1996) is recommended for students who wish to know more about Carothers.

Relevant National Science Education Standards

Science and Technology — The reading emphasizes the difference between scientific knowledge and its application to creating useful and profitable materials like nylon.

History and Nature of Science — This biographical sketch illuminates the human side of science and tells an interesting part of scientific history. This reading also relates that the invention of nylon was influenced by business considerations, namely DuPont's need for profitable products.