Saran polyvinylidene chloride or Saran resins and films (called PVDC) have been wrapping products for more than 50 years. Ralph Wiley, a Dow Chemical lab worker, accidentally discovered polyvinylidene chloride or Saran. Ralph, a college student who cleaned glassware in a Dow Chemical lab, came across a vial he couldn't scrub clean. He called the substance 'eonite', after an indestructible material in the comic strip 'Little Orphan Annie.' Dow researchers made Ralph's 'eonite' into a greasy, dark green film, which Dow called 'Saran'. Dow later got rid the of Saran's green color and unpleasant odor. After World War 2, it was approved for food packaging, and it was Prior Sanctioned in 1956 (Society of the Plastics Industry).
1943: Silicones, pioneered by Eugene G. Rochow and Charles Reed of GE Co., and fluorocarbons, discovered by Roy Joseph Plunkett of Du Pont, were brought into use for the first time. John Reilly and Ralph Wiley of The Dow Chemical Co. completed the final work needed for introduction of Saran (polyvinylidene chloride), which had been invented in 1939. Saran monofilaments were also extruded for the first time.
John Reilly was affectionately known as Jack Reilly.
Response last updated by satguru on Jun 15 2021.
Apr 28 2012, 10:54 AM
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