Waldo Semon

Waldo Lonsbury Semon (September 10,1898-May 26,1999) was a renowned American inventor born in Demopolis, Alabama.

Related Topics:
September 10 - 1898 - May 26 - 1999 - American - Demopolis, Alabama

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Semon put his name into the history books for inventing vinyl, the world's second most used plastic. He found the formula for vinyl by mixing a few synthetic polymers, and the result was a substance that was elastic, but wasn't adhesive. In all, Semon held 116 patents, and was inducted into the Invention Hall of Fame in 1995 at age 97.

Related Topics:
Vinyl - Plastic - Patent

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Semon is sometimes credited with inventing bubble gum, but this is inaccurate. He did invent a indigestible synthetic rubber substance that could be used as a bubble gum (and produced exceptionally large bubbles), but the product remained a curiosity and was never sold.

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Semon graduated from the University of Washington earning a BS in chemistry and a PhD in chemical engineering.

Related Topics:
University of Washington - BS - Chemistry - PhD - Chemical engineering

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