EDITOR'S PAGE
Chemistry's Heroes
T
hey're hardly household names, but they should be: James D. Idol Jr., Manuel M. Baizer, Herman A. Bruson, LeGrand G. Van Uitert, Leo H. Sternbach, Stephanie L. Kwolek, Roy L. Pruett, William S. Knowles, O. A. Battista, Edwin P. Plueddemann, Ralph Milkovich, Alfred Marzocchi, Robert M. Morin, Samuel Smith, George Levitt, C. F. Hammer, Frederick J. Karol, David W. Cushman, Miguel A. Ondetti, Albert A. Carr, Howard W. Jacobson, Marinus Los. They are the winners of the ACS Creative Invention Award over the past 20 years, and each person, in his or her own way, has helped make our lives better. Their inventions range from Seldane, a boon to allergy sufferers, to the p-aramid fibers that led to the development of Kevlar, used in myriad products from bulletproof vests to windsurfing equipment. They invented better herbicides, more efficient routes to making industrially important chemicals, fiberglass-reinforced tires, and life-saving drugs, to name just a few. ACS President Brian M. Rushton paid tribute to these inventors at his Presidential Plenary last week in Chicago at the ACS national meeting. "These are heroes," Rushton said. "These are our heroes in the field of chemistry." He also praised the winners of the Earle B. Barnes Award for leadership in chemical research management—"the people who had the foresight to hire creative chemists and chemical engineers" and who provided support to allow their creativity to thrive. The plenary's theme—"Industry's Creative Inventions: From the Lab to Your Home"— could not have been more timely in terms of drawing attention to the urgent need to support research and development. This week, C&EN's annual review of Facts & Figures for Chemical R&D (page 34) confirms that growth in spending for R&D in the U.S. has just about slowed to a halt. Industry has been picking up a larger portion—now approaching 60%—of the R&D tab. But as Assistant Managing Editors Pamela Zurer and Janice Long write, "It's unlikely [industry] will be able to fill the gap caused by dramatic cuts in federal funding. In the research-intensive chemical industry, only pharmaceutical firms are still adding R&D funds at a healthy rate. Many major chemical companies actually cut back on their R&D expenditures in 1993 and 1994." Some chemical company chief executive officers recognize the seriousness of the situation. One is Earnest W. Deavenport, chairman and CEO of Eastman Chemical Co. and immediate past chairman of the board of the Chemical Manufacturers Association. Speaking in Chicago at a reception hosted by Rushton and ACS Industry Relations honoring the inventors, Deavenport said: "Those of us in leadership positions must recognize that we are poised to make outstanding contributions in the field of innovation. Scientists will be innovative, but they need our help. The disturbing trend in this country indicates that as companies have restructured, less resources are being allocated to R&D. It's up to us as leaders, managers, and executives to foster innovation by making long-term commitments to research—and by stimulating businesses and research groups to work together—across company lines as well as across national borders." Directing his remarks to the dozens of chemical company executives in the audience, Deavenport stressed, "It's also up to us as leaders to provide the right working environment that encourages risk-taking without fear of failure. Our future in the world of innovation depends on you and me—not as innovators but as advocates. . . . As we go back to our companies, it is up to us to remain focused on these issues." In some ways, Deavenport was preaching to the choir since the executives invited to the reception have a proven track record in supporting innovation. But all of us in the chemical enterprise sincerely hope that Deavenport's call for action is widely heeded. Heroes these days are in short supply. Madeleine Jacobs Editor
Views expressed on this page are those of the author only and not necessarily those of ACS
AUGUST 28,1995 C&EN
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