The development and exploitation of polymeric materials since WWII has provided a standard of living for most citizens that is unmatched in history.  In countries with advanced economics the lives of all citizens are daily impacted by the presence of polymeric materials � from food packaging to transportation to housing to personal care and far beyond, these materials have a major impact.  Incorporation of some of the history, world events, and personalities responsible for the early development of polymeric materials strongly enhances student interest and performance in the beginning organic course.  Events that students find fascinating and helpful in identifying with and appreciating the subject matter being addressed abound � the suggestion that polymers are, in fact, macromolecules by Hermann Staudinger, the demonstration that this is indeed correct and the production of �synthetic silk� by Wallace Carothers, the war effort and the development of SBR by the Dow Chemical Company and �synthetic natural rubber� by Firestone, the development of coordination polymerization by Karl Ziegler, the plasticization of PVC by Waldo Semon, and many, many more.

Use of historical events and personalities to facilitate the incorporation of polymeric materials into the beginning organic chemistry course

244th National Meeting (2012)

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