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Robert W. Gore, inventor of Gore-Tex technology while working for his father’s company in Maryland, USA, has died at the age of 83.
Introduced in 1976, this fabric protects many workers, runners and outdoor enthusiasts from humid weather, but is also found in numerous products.
A chemical engineer, Robert Gore became CEO of WL Gore & Associates.
He died Thursday after a long illness, the company confirmed.
Gore was born in Utah and received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Delaware and the University of Minnesota.
He joined WL Gore & Associates, founded in 1958 by his father, his uncle Bill, and Vive Gore.
In 1969, he discovered a new form of polymer in the company’s lab. The substance is made up of large molecules that form long chains.
Her father asked her to research a new way on a manufacturer plumber’s tape. Robert Gore discovered that by yanking a material called PTFE, the polymer extends up to 1000% to form a micropores structure.
This material created a fabric with billions of holes through water droplets, creating a waterproof but breathable surface – or gore-tex.
Greg Henon, chief technology officer at WL Gore & Associates, told the Delaware newspaper Naline last year that “it was indeed a major issue in the company’s history.”
In its various applications, Gore-Tex is used in medical devices, including heart patches, guitar strings, space suits, and vacuum bags.
WL Gore & Associates became a 1 billion company in 1996 during Gore’s presidency. “We plan to involve society and future generations, including infants with surgical reconstructive hearts, who live because of medical products,” Gore said on the occasion.
In 2000, he resigned as president of WL Gore & Associates. During his career he received many awards for his contributions to science, including the Society of Plastic Engineers.
Gore is survived by his wife as well as children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
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