For the last two weeks we have been researching two famous scientists and inventors; Spencer Silver and Ruth Benerito. This is what some of us found out -
Spencer Silver
Chemist Spencer Silver worked at
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company (now called 3M), where in 1968 he
invented a "low tack" adhesive based on acrylate copolymer
microspheres, tiny bubbles that kept the glue from bonding firmly. This was
considered an odd and rather useless discovery -- the company wanted a stronger
adhesive, not a weaker one -- and Silver was soon reassigned to other projects.
Six years later he demonstrated his adhesive to colleague Art Fry, who thought of bookmarks that fell out of his church
hymnals and solved that problem by making the bookmarks slightly sticky with
Silver's adhesive.
Ruth Benerito
Ruth Benerito, a chemist, is widely known for
her development of wrinkle-free cotton. She was born in New Orleans, Lousiana
and studied chemistry at the women's college of Tulane University, Sophie
Newcomb College. She received her B.S. in 1935, M.S. in 1938, and her Ph. D.
from the University of Chicago in 1948. Benerito worked at the U. S. Department
of Agriculture’s Southern Regional Research Centre for over 30 years. At the
USDA, her specialty was solving problems in the textile, wood, and paper
industries using cellulose chemistry. Her research led to a cotton fabric with
wrinkle-resistance, which was further.
Alex and Rhys - Class Earth
Spencer
Silver
AKA Spencer
Ferguson Silver III
Spencer Silver died in
an incident of burning himself to death. Born in 1941 and with Arthur Fry he
invented post it notes in 1970! He died on
the 17th of July 2007 at the age of 64.
Nationality: United States
Executive summary: Post-It notes
Executive summary: Post-It notes
Father: Spencer
Ferguson Silver, Jr.
Mother: Bernice Lillian Wendy Silver
Brother: Scott Albert Silver (b. 30-Jun-1945)
Wife: Linda Anne Martin Silver (b. 25-Sep-1941, m. 8-Jul-1965, two daughters)
Mother: Bernice Lillian Wendy Silver
Brother: Scott Albert Silver (b. 30-Jun-1945)
Wife: Linda Anne Martin Silver (b. 25-Sep-1941, m. 8-Jul-1965, two daughters)
Ruth Rogan Benerito was an American chemist and inventor known for her work related to the textile industry, notably including the development of wash-and-wear cotton fabrics. She held 55 patents.
Roman and James - Class Earth
Why are these inventions important in our everyday lives?
