Emil Ott
Rutgers University
Inducted 1975
Dr. Emil Ott (1902 – 1963) was an insightful and dedicated chemist who focused on studying cellulosic plastics and other high molecular weight polymers. He was one of the first chemists to recognize that all polymers are macromolecules.
Dr. Ott received two Doctorates (Science and Philosophy) from the Swiss Institute of Technology in 1927. He was the director of Research and Development at the Hercules Corporation from 1933 to 1955, producing specialty chemicals for various markets, including adhesives and sealants, paints, inks, coatings, lubricants, rubber, and plastics. He then became vice president of Research and Development of the Food Machinery and Chemical Company (later known as FMC) from 1955 to 1960. He pioneered the use of X-rays to study polymer morphology and published works on the study of spherulitic crystallization of polymers. He also authored a text on Cellulose and Cellulose Derivatives.
Dr. Amil Ott was also a Stevens Institute of Technology and Rutgers University professor. He was a trustee and consultant of the Plastics Institute of America and a director of the American Chemical Society. He received numerous honors and awards during his career, including an award from the Philadelphia chapter of the American Institute of Chemists.
Areas of Expertise: Plastic materials