Page 34 - Encyclopedia of Chemical Compounds 3 Vols

Timeline of the Development of Chemical Compounds

1940s • A research chemist at the General Electric Company,
E. G. Rochow, finds an efficient way of making organosi-
loxanes in large quantities.
1941 • Folic acid is isolated and identified by American
researcher Henry K. Mitchell.

1941 • The first polyurethane adhesive, for the joining of
rubber and glass, is made.

1942 • American researchers Harry Coover and Fred Joiner
discover cyanoacrylate.

1946 • DEET is patented by the U.S. Army for use on military
personnel working in insect-infested areas. It is made
available to the public in 1957.
1947 • On April 16, an ammonium nitrate explosion in Texas
City, Texas, becomes the worst industrial accident in U.S.
1950s • Earliest reports surface about athletes using testo-
sterone to enhance their sports performance.
1950s • A stretchable material made of polyurethane, called
spandex, is introduced.
1951 • Phillips Petroleum Company begins selling polypropy-
Ò
lene under the trade name of Marlex .
1953 • Polycarbonate, polyethylene, and synthetic rubber are
developed.

1953 1955 1958
1950 Molecular Jonas Salk First satellite
Korean War structure of DNA invents the broadcasts
begins. is discovered. polio vaccine. occur.
. . . .

1950 1955 1960

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