Fox News is reporting that Stephanie Kwolek, the chemist who invented the durable fiber used in Kevlar Body Armor, has passed away at 90 of an unknown illness.
Kwolek made her landmark discovery while working for DuPont in the 1960s. Her friend Rita Vasta says the chemist worked hard to pave the way for other women with a passion for science:
Whenever she had an opportunity to speak to teen girls or little girls, she used all that time to talk about her career in science and say it was important for women to go into science.
DuPont CEO Ellen Kullman had this statement:
We are all saddened at the passing of DuPont scientist Stephanie Kwolek, a creative and determined chemist and a true pioneer for women in science. Her synthesis of the first liquid crystal polymer and the invention of DuPont Kevlar highlighted a distinguished career. She leaves a wonderful legacy of thousands of lives saved and countless injuries prevented by products made possible by her discovery.
(via Military Times, image via Wikipedia)
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