Carl "Speed" Marvel
Illinois University
Inducted 1986
Carl Shipp “Speed” Marvel (1894 – 1988) was a polymer chemist whose research in synthetic chemistry stretched from World War I-era octane development through World War II natural rubber substitutes, extending to a fire-resistant fiber used to produce textile fabrics for American astronaut space suits.
Marvel was born on a farm in 1894 and attended a one-room country school near Waynesville, IL. He encountered the field of organic chemistry while at Illinois Wesleyan University. After obtaining his Ph.D. in 1920, he took a teaching job at Illinois University. In 1928, he began his consulting career, primarily with DuPont, which would continue for some 58 years. Such useful substances as olefins and vinyl polymers were developed during his consulting career. With the help of Marvel’s students and his advice and guidance, DuPont developed nylon, neoprene, Mylar® polyester film, and Orlon® polyacrylonitrile.
With the outbreak of World War II and the choking of the world’s natural rubber supply, Marvel was drafted by the National Defense Research Committee. In 1941, he joined the Rubber Reserve Corporation in hunting for a natural rubber substitute. The project involved several universities, MIT, Chicago, Minnesota, Cornell, and Case, as well as contributions from industry. By 1955, his leading role in industry-university cooperation was well-established.
Heat-stable polymers attracted his attention after World War II, and much of his research was accomplished through the Materials Laboratory of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The Celanese Corporation joined in the development of heat-stable polymers. With their cooperation, a fiber was produced that resists heat and flame, making it suitable for textiles worn by astronauts working in the unique environment of space.
Marvel continued teaching and researching in Illinois until he retired in 1961. The work he pioneered on heat-stable polymers, resins, and films continues today. In 1925, Marvel mentored 176 chemists with Ph.D.s and trained 145 post-doctoral associates. His direction of their work and visiting scholars resulted in the publication of 502 papers and 55 patents.
Professor Marvel earned the nickname “Speed” during his World War I graduate school days by working late in the laboratory, then sleeping late, yet still getting breakfast before the house doors closed at 7:30 AM.
“Marvel Hall” at the American Chemical Society (ACS) headquarters in Washington, D.C., was the first enduring structure to bear his name. The “Carl S. Marvel Laboratories of Chemistry” at the University of Arizona will stand as further immutable testimony to his brilliant career. President Reagan presented him with over 25 awards from industry, trade associations, and universities, including the National Medal of Science, presented to him in 1986.
Areas of Expertise:
Plastics materials