Herman F. Mark
Polytechnic
Inducted 1976
Dr. Herman F. Mark (1895 – 1992) was a pioneering chemist and researcher in polymers or long-chain molecules, including plastics. During his career, Professor Mark authored more than 600 research papers and 40 books on polymer chemistry.
Herman Francis Mark was born May 3, 1895, in Vienna, the son of a prominent physician. He served as a decorated combat infantry officer in the ski troops of the Austrian Army for four years in World War I. His career began in 1921 when he received a Ph.D. in organic chemistry at the University of Vienna and then moved to Berlin to take a post at the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Physical Chemistry. There, he began applying the techniques of modern physics to the study of large molecules.
In 1928, he became director of the research laboratory of I.G. Farbenindustrie, the chemical conglomerate, in Friedrichshafen. He and his associates worked out the structure of the natural polymer molecules, such as cellulose, silk, cotton, wool, and protein.
In 1933, Professor Mark accepted an offer to become professor of chemistry and director of the Chemical Institute of the University of Vienna. His major contribution was to explain the behavior of a natural polymeric substance like rubber. Under his leadership, polystyrene, a tough, clear, colorless plastic, and the first two synthetic rubbers were advanced toward commercial production. Another accomplishment was the development of the Mark-Houwink equation, which became the basis for the measurement of molecular weights of polymers.
Later, Mark accepted a professorship at the Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute, where he established the Polymer Institute, a center for systematic research in understanding the mechanical properties of polymers. This enabled scientists to predict these properties and to tailor such substances to their intended use. Professor Mark left the directorship in 1961 to become dean of the faculty of Polytechnic. He became emeritus dean, professor, and trustee in 1964.
Mark was the recipient of numerous medals and honorary degrees. His many awards included the National Medal of Science of the United States, the Humboldt Medal of Germany, the Wolf Prize of Israel, the Legion of Honor of France, and the Honor Cross for Arts and Sciences of his native Austria.
(Based on a New York Times article written by Wolfgang Saxon published on April 10, 1992)
Areas of Expertise:
Plastics materials
Related Links:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herman_Francis_Mark
https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/education/whatischemistry/landmarks/polymerresearchinstitute.html