Decendants of Theobald Gerst

married: 17 Aug 1909

Roy Plunkett joined the Du Pont Company, organic Chemical Department at Jackson Laboratory, Deepwater, New Jersey, in 1936. While at Jackson Laboratory, he was a member of the General Organic Division engaged in research in Fluorocarbon refrigerants. "Teflon" polytetrafluoroethylene was discovered during this research program.

Dr. Plunkett was transferred to the Chambers Works at the same time as Chemical Supervisor in the Tetraethyl Lead Area in 1939, where he became Supervisor in 1945. In 1949, he was transferred to the "Ponsol" Colors area as Superintendent, and in June 1950, was appointed Assistant Works Manager. In January 1952. Dr. Plunkett was appointed Manager of the Plants Chemical Development section in the Organic Chemicals Department. head quartered in Wilmington, Delaware. He became Assistant Manager of the plant's technical section in 1954, and was make manager of the section in 1957. In 1960, Dr. Plunkett became Director of Research, "Freon" Products Section, Organic Chemicals Department, and in 1970 was named Director of Operations for the "Freon"Products Division.

In 1951, he was awarded the John Scott Medal by the City of Philadelphia for the discovery of Polytetrafluoroethylene. His alma mater, Manchester College, awarded him the honorary Doctor of Science degree in 1952. He received the Modern Pioneer Award from the National Association of Manufacturers in 1965. Washington College of Chestertown, Maryland, bestowed an honorary Doctor of Science degree on Dr. Plunkett in 1968 and in 1969, he received a Citation from the Society of the Plastic Industry, and a Chemical Pioneering award from the American Institute of Chemists.

In December 1970, Dr. Plunkett received the Ohio State University's Centennial Achievement Award. This Award honored 100 living Ohio State alumni, former faculty, and other individuals who have contributed outstandingly to the advancement of their profession and society.

On Nov 6, 1973, Dr. Plunkett was inducted into the Plastics Hall of Fame.

Dr. Plunkett has two sons, Michael and Patrick. He and his wife Lois plan to divide their time after retirement between Tuckerton, New Jersey and Corpus Christi, Texas.

1977 Honorary Degree, Ohio State..Doctor of Science

1985 Inventors Hall of Fame--Washington, D. C,

1986 Moussaint Award in Paris

1991 Ohio Science & Technology Hall of Fame

1993 Dayton Hall of Fame

This is from a news paper clipping belinging to Fern Elizabeth Wertz Terry......

Roy J. Plunkett and Paul Flory, Scientist who did pioneering work at DuPont, recently received high honors. Plunket, the second Duponter inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame, says the greatest personal reward from his invention of "Teflon" fluorocarbon resins has been its contribution to "real people."

The occasion that Plunkett most remembers is a conversation with a New Jersey heart surgeon at a dance: "Roy,' he said, 'there's a man dancing out there on the floor because he has an aorta made from "Teflon' that I put in."

Plunkett was inducted Feb 10 into the Hall of Fame at Arlington, Va. and joined 57 other honorees, including Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and Louis Pasteur. Last year Duponter Wallace H. Carothers was honored post-humously for his invention of nylon, the world's first synthetic fiber. DuPont is the only company with more than one member in the Hall of Fame.

Retired since 1975, Plunkett points out most of the development work on "Teflon" was done by others but says he still basks in praise and admiration--more than he should--and particularly from women..

"At a sales meeting,' Plunkett recalls, "a woman came up to me and said, I've always wanted to meet the man who invented 'Teflon' non- stick cookware and give him a big kiss.'

I accepted graciously,' Plunkett smiles.

Plunkett, who joined DuPont in 1936 and who discovered "Teflon" in 1938 was director of operations of the "Freon" Division when he retired. He also did pioneering work on Tetraethyl lead and refrigerants.

Plunkett was one of 11 men inducted into the Plastics Hall of Fame in 1973. He lives in Corpus Christi, Texas. Roy Plunkett hold products ( in the Pic in Family Tree) resulting from his discovery of "Teflon": muffin pan with "SilverStone" premium non-stick surface and cable insulated with "Teflon".

More About ROY JOSEPH PLUNKETT: Degree: 1936, PhD in Chemistry--Ohio State University Event 1: 1938, Discovered Teflon while working for E I Dupont. Wilmington, Del Occupation: Chemist