Stopping Bullets with a Thread : Stephanie Kwolek and Her Incredible Invention(Hardback) - 2008 Edition

Genius at Work! Great Inventor Biographies

by Edwin Brit Wyckoff

Perseverance, ingenuity, and a keen eye were all that chemist Stephanie Kwolek needed to discover a new family of synthetic fibers, one of which was the incredibly strong Kevlar compound. Author Edwin Brit Wyckoff tells the tale of Kwoleks life from her youth during the Great Depression to her groundbreaking discovery at DuPont. The results of her efforts have led to the production of many products that use Kevlar, including body armor that has saved countless lives.

Genres: Biography

Hardcover

First published December 1, 2007

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stephanie Kwolek was strongly encouraged by her father when she was young. They would wander the woods and outdoors together making notes of the wildlife, plants, etc. Stephanie thought perhaps she would be a doctor and save lives when she grew up. However, she became a scientist, using the skills her father had taught her when she was young. As a scientist, one of her jobs was to develop a synthetic fiber that would be as strong as steel. It took a lot of persistence, but her determination paid off. Her discovery, now known as Kevlar, is also saving lives.
Will be of interest to readers of various levels. Also includes many graphs, charts, and photographs. At the end there are facts, a timeline, a glossary, and suggestions for additional information. Part of the "Genius Inventors and their Great Ideas" series.