Ray McIntire
Encyclopedia
Otis Ray McIntire was born in Gardner, Kansas on August 24, 1918. After graduating from the University of Kansas
with a B.S. degree in engineering in 1940, he went to work as a research engineer for The Dow Chemical Company. During World War II, when rubber was in short supply, McIntire’s work focused on developing a rubber-like substance that could be used as a flexible insulator. In an experiment, in which he combined styrene with isobutylene
, he created a unique material that was solid yet flexible due to the tiny bubbles formed by isobutylene within the styrene.
McIntire had invented foam polystyrene, more commonly known by its brand name, Styrofoam
, that was 30 times lighter and more flexible than solid polystyrene
. It was also inexpensive and moisture resistant.
McIntire remained at The Dow Chemical Company for his entire career. He was promoted to research director, and later worked in the company’s consumer and venture capital
divisions. He retired in 1981 as Dow’s director of technology and acquisition. In March 2008, McIntire was inducted to the National Inventors Hall of Fame
.
University of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a public research university and the largest university in the state of Kansas. KU campuses are located in Lawrence, Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City, Kansas with the main campus being located in Lawrence on Mount Oread, the highest point in Lawrence. The...
with a B.S. degree in engineering in 1940, he went to work as a research engineer for The Dow Chemical Company. During World War II, when rubber was in short supply, McIntire’s work focused on developing a rubber-like substance that could be used as a flexible insulator. In an experiment, in which he combined styrene with isobutylene
Isobutylene
Isobutylene is a hydrocarbon of significant industrial importance. It is a four-carbon branched alkene , one of the four isomers of butylene. At standard temperature and pressure it is a colorless flammable gas.-Uses:...
, he created a unique material that was solid yet flexible due to the tiny bubbles formed by isobutylene within the styrene.
McIntire had invented foam polystyrene, more commonly known by its brand name, Styrofoam
Styrofoam
Styrofoam is a trademark of The Dow Chemical Company for closed-cell currently made for thermal insulation and craft applications. In 1941, researchers in Dow's Chemical Physics Lab found a way to make foamed polystyrene...
, that was 30 times lighter and more flexible than solid polystyrene
Polystyrene
Polystyrene ) also known as Thermocole, abbreviated following ISO Standard PS, is an aromatic polymer made from the monomer styrene, a liquid hydrocarbon that is manufactured from petroleum by the chemical industry...
. It was also inexpensive and moisture resistant.
McIntire remained at The Dow Chemical Company for his entire career. He was promoted to research director, and later worked in the company’s consumer and venture capital
Venture capital
Venture capital is financial capital provided to early-stage, high-potential, high risk, growth startup companies. The venture capital fund makes money by owning equity in the companies it invests in, which usually have a novel technology or business model in high technology industries, such as...
divisions. He retired in 1981 as Dow’s director of technology and acquisition. In March 2008, McIntire was inducted to the National Inventors Hall of Fame
National Inventors Hall of Fame
The National Inventors Hall of Fame is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to recognizing, honoring and encouraging invention and creativity through the administration of its programs. The Hall of Fame honors the men and women responsible for the great technological advances that make human,...
.