Innovation Stories

Dupont — Kevlar

Officer Wearing Vest Made of DuPont Kevlar

Stephanie Kwolek joined DuPont in 1946 as a research chemist. The company had been an innovator in synthetic fibers, having discovered and brought to market nylon, Darcon polyester and Lycra spandex. Kwolek and her team were working on a synthetic fiber for use in tire manufacturing, but the team was given a great deal of latitude in conducting its research.

In 1965, the DuPont researchers discovered a light, but very strong synthetic fiber that could be spun into ropes or sheets of fabric. In the early 1970s, the fiber, called Kevlar, was commercially introduced and is now used in a wide range of applications from bicycles to body armor.

Nearly 3,000 law enforcement officers have survived potentially fatal or disabling injuries because of Kevlar-based body armor. Since 1991, the U.S. Army has used helmets made in part with DuPont Kevlar.