Primed for success : the story of Scientific Design Company : how chemical engineers created the petrochemical industry

This is the remarkable story of an entrepreneurial firm that helped to create the petrochemical industry as we know it today. The author also highlights the important role chemical engineers played in developing and commercializing new technologies based on the conversion of hydrocarbons into petrochemicals, which also led to the transfer of technological dominance from Germany to the United States. These developments are illustrated by the participants’ personal histories, in the form of interviews and recorded oral histories. In addition, the book presents a highly relevant case study for engineers and managers in the chemical industry. Front Matter ....Pages i-xxi Introduction (Peter H. Spitz)....Pages 1-4 The Global Chemical Industry Is Poised for Change (Peter H. Spitz)....Pages 5-23 Fuels and Chemicals Research Helps Win World War II (Peter H. Spitz)....Pages 25-42 Three Entrepreneurs Join Forces (Peter H. Spitz)....Pages 43-55 Circumstances Are Perfect: A New Industry Grows Rapidly (Peter H. Spitz)....Pages 57-72 Scientific Design Company Becomes Successful (Peter H. Spitz)....Pages 73-94 The First Major Invention: The Mid Century Process (Peter H. Spitz)....Pages 95-107 More Inventions: Nylon Intermediates, Isoprene, Propylene Oxide, Methyl Methacrylate (Peter H. Spitz)....Pages 109-124 Other Firms: A Period of Breakthrough Inventions (Peter H. Spitz)....Pages 125-137 The Leading Research and Engineering Firm in Petrochemicals (Peter H. Spitz)....Pages 139-149 Oxirane and the Creation of Halcon International (Peter H. Spitz)....Pages 151-164 A Reach Too Far (Peter H. Spitz)....Pages 165-180 An Ending (Peter H. Spitz)....Pages 181-186 Epilogue (Peter H. Spitz)....Pages 187-197 Correction to: Primed for Success: The Story of Scientific Design Company (Peter H. Spitz)....Pages C1-C1