Robert Gore,
a chemical engineer best known for his
1969 discovery of a versatile polymer,
the first breathable waterproof fabric, has died at age 83, according to the
WL Gore & Associates company
, which he presided over for 30 years.
Their scientific discoveries led to
Gore-Tex
outerwear
and paved the way for advancements in industries as varied as high-performance fabrics, medical devices, space exploration and filtration, the company said in a statement, saying that he died Thursday at his home in Maryland.
Gore assumed the role of president emeritus in 2018 after 57 years of service on Gore's board, 30 of them as president.
They note that during his tenure as president,
Gore grew into a billion-dollar company.
The origin of Gore-Tex
Gore-Tex emerged in 1969 when his father, who started the company, asked him to research a new way to make low-cost plumbers tape using PTFE, commonly known as DuPont Teflon.
After intense and unsuccessful hours in his lab on Paper Mill Road in Newark, NJ one night, he pulled his last PTFE rod as hard as he could and it did not break as it had in his previous attempts.
In contrast, the bar expanded without any change in its diameter.
He soon discovered that the properties of expanded PTFE, which became known as ePTFE, went beyond cost savings.
His discovery was presented seven years later.
The introduction of this innovative material opened up a world of possibilities for products and other innovations and has become synonymous with outdoor living.
"We plan to leave a legacy to society and future generations: babies with surgically reconstructed hearts that live on our medical products; governments of free societies that can better protect themselves thanks to defense products; communities with cleaner and healthier environments thanks to our filtration products and sealants; And yes, people who simply have more fun outdoors thanks to our outerwear, "Gore said of his technology in 1976, the company recalled in the statement.
Half a century of discovery
The company celebrated the 50th anniversary of Gore's discovery last year.
Gore was born in Utah on April 15, 1937, and was the eldest of five children of Wilbert L. and Genevieve Gore, founders of WL Gore & Associates.
In 2000 he stepped down as President of WL Gore & Associates.
During his career he received various awards for his contributions to science, including from the Society of Plastics Engineers.
Gore is survived by his wife, as well as his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
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