Today in Technology History
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April 29
A brilliant scientist responsible for two important synthetic materials died by his own hand 65 years ago.
Wallace Hume Carothers was born in Burlington, Iowa on April 27, 1896. He studied chemistry at tiny Tarkio College in Missouri. He was far ahead of his fellow students -- so far ahead, in fact, that when the chairman of the college's chemistry department left for another job, Carothers, still a student, replaced him.
A remarkable career followed. He studied at the University of Illinois, where he published a classic paper that secured his reputation. Harvard University hired him to teach organic chemistry. Two years later, the DuPont company asked him to head up a new research team they were starting.
Many honors followed, but Carothers is best remembered for two discoveries that occurred within weeks of one another in April, 1930. Carothers and his team invented neoprene, one of the first synthetic rubbers. Then they discovered nylon, a useful, strong synthetic fiber.
Despite his successes, Carothers was severely depressed. He suffered nervous breakdowns in 1934 and 1936. He became obsessed with the bizarre notion that his outstanding career had actually been a failure. The death of his younger sister in January 1937 dealt him a psychic blow from which he never recovered. Although he received medical care, and DuPont gave him long rests and lightened his workload, he was unable to cope with life.
On April 29, 1937 -- two days after his 41st birthday -- he checked into a hotel in Wilmington, Delaware. He was found dead in the hotel room that night, having killed himself by drinking cyanide dissolved in lemon juice. He left behind a pregnant wife, an impressive career and a grateful world.
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