Stephanie Kwolek

chemistry · invention · women in science · materials

Brilliant chemist. Stephanie Kwolek was a Polish-American scientist who loved discovering new things through chemistry. She spent more than 40 years working at the DuPont company, a massive chemical company that makes all sorts of materials.

Invented Kevlar. In the 1960s, Kwolek invented an amazing material called Kevlar that is five times stronger than steel but much lighter. Her discovery changed the world because it could protect people without weighing them down.

Saves lives. Today, Kevlar is used to make bulletproof vests for police officers and soldiers, helmets for firefighters, and even protective gear for race car drivers. Millions of people rely on her invention to stay safe every single day.

Never gave up. Kwolek had to try many different experiments before she found the perfect formula for Kevlar. Her patience and creativity showed that the best inventions often come from lots of hard work and testing.