Who Invented Polyethylene?

Some might think that the invention of polyethylene could be easily found with a simple Google search, but the story of its discovery and development is a fascinating journey through the passion of scientists and the fortuitous accidents of history. Let's delve into the origins and evolution of this ubiquitous plastic.

The Accidental Beginnings

The story of polyethylene can be traced back to an accidental discovery. In 1898, the German chemist Hans von Pechmann discovers a resin residue in his test tube. Although he initially discarded it, his accidental creation marked the first documented instance of polyethylene. This discovery, however, was not immediately of practical use.

A Safer Method

The next significant development in the history of polyethylene did not come until 1933, when Eric Fawcett and Reginald Gibson, working at Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) in England, developed a safer and more practical method. Through a series of experiments, they discovered that polyethylene could be produced through polymerization, a process that converts simple molecules into larger, more complex ones.

The Industrial Revolution of Polyethylene

While the groundwork for industrial-scale production of polyethylene had been laid, it was not until 1935 that Michael Perrin of England made the crucial leap. He refined the process developed by Fawcett and Gibson, and in 1939, the first industrial-scale production of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) took place. This innovation was so significant that polyethylene was even considered a classified war material during World War II.

Following the war, the production and application of polyethylene expanded rapidly. In 1944, polyethylene truly came into its own as a commercial product. This growth continued into the 1950s when catalyzed processes were developed, making production possible at lower pressures. These advancements paved the way for the widespread use of polyethylene in numerous industries.

The Inventors: The Lean Sisters

The story of polyethylene is also a story of two young, inventive sisters, often referred to as the Lean sisters. Known for their captivating names, Polly and Ethyl Lean, they created the initial plastic product that would lead to polyethylene's popularity. Their invention, initially referred to as "Polly and Ethyl Lean's plastic," was too cumbersome to use. After simplifying the name, it became known as Polyethylene, a name that has since become synonymous with the material.

Both before and after their invention, the Lean sisters were photographed, capturing their moments of triumph and milestones of innovation:

And here is the invention that made them famous:

Conclusion

The journey of polyethylene from a simple accidental discovery to a global industrial revolution is a testament to serendipity and hard work. The contributions of scientists like Hans von Pechmann, Eric Fawcett, Reginald Gibson, and Michael Perrin, as well as the innovation of the Lean sisters, have shaped the modern world of plastics. Today, polyethylene is a ubiquitous material, used in everything from food packaging to construction.