William C. Goggin
Dow Corning
Inducted 1976
William Goggin (1911 – 1988) was a versatile engineer who worked on developing polymeric materials, notably for an increase in the applicability of expanded polystyrene and Saran® and expanding the use of engineering plastics. Goggin has been described as a multi-dimensional engineer with skills as a chemist, business manager, and business theorist. He was noted for developing the “Multi-dimensional Organization” concept at Dow Corning, where he was employed for 40 years.
Goggin earned a B.S. in Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics from Alma College in 1933. He then received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Michigan in 1935 and an M.S. in Electrical Engineering in 1936, also from the University of Michigan.
Goggin joined Dow Chemical Company’s Student Engineer Training Program in 1936, where he learned first-hand the specialties of chemical engineering. After receiving corporate training, Goggin first worked on setting up testing procedures for new polymeric electrical insulators. His work in Dow’s Plastics Division coincided with the rise of plastics in the world market, especially during World War II. He then worked as a Research and Development Engineer in the Physics Research Laboratory at Dow from 1937 to 1939 and as a salesman in the Special Products Division from 1939 to 1941. In 1941, he began his management career as the Assistant Manager in the Plastics Sales Division at Dow, where he became manager in 1942 and manager in the Plastics Development Division in 1943. In 1947, he moved to the Plastics Technical Service Division at Dow, and in 1959, he became General Manager of the Plastics Department. In 1967, he moved to the Dow Corning Corporation, where he was President and Director until 1971. While at Dow, Goggin rose steadily through the company ranks, remaining a Dow employee his entire career, retiring as Chairman of the Board of Dow Corning Corporation in 1976.
William Goggin was the author of many publications and patents and received many honors and awards, including an Honorary D.Sc. from Alma College.
Areas of Expertise:
Plastic materials, Plastics management
Related Links:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/pol.1947.120020320/abstract
http://www.chemheritage.org/discover/collections/oral-histories