EDITOR'S PREFACE
Downloaded by 91.200.81.37 on November 28, 2016 | http://pubs.acs.org Publication Date: December 10, 1981 | doi: 10.1021/bk-1981-0175.pr001
P
olymer science is stimulating and exciting because it is a new and still rapidly growing discipline. Consequently, it seemed clear that a symposium on this field would be informative as well as popular. The symposium upon which this book is based was sponsored jointly by the Division of Organic Coatings and Plastics Chemistry and the Division of Polymer Chemistry of the American Chemical Society. It was planned as a tribute to one of the pioneers of the field, Herman F . Mark, on his 85th birthday and brought together many notables onto a common platform. This volume is a collection of several papers presented in Las Vegas and a number of special contributions submitted in honor of Professor Mark. The collection is as diverse as the field of polymers, and is intended as a general overview of polymer science. The book will be interesting reading for anyone working in the field of polymers, interested in the history of science, or curious about specific developments of science. Professor Mark's story is told in three chapters by the Editor and four reminiscences by Rudolf B r i l l (whose association with M a r k dates back to 1922), Hans M a r k (his son), Linus Pauling, and Maurice Morton. The history of polymer science is given in separate chapters by the Editor, Robert Simha (who has worked with Professor M a r k in two countries), and Carl "Speed" Marvel. One chapter by Charles Carraher gives an up to the minute report on the status of polymer education. The remainder of the book is a collection of reviews and previews of specific, timely topics in polymer science. Despite the diversity of topics, each area covered has contributions from Herman Mark. It has been said that Herman Mark's story is the story of polymer science. Considering the importance of polymers in today's and tomorrow's world, Mark's life and contributions are important to us all. This volume is respectfully submitted with this importance in mind as a tribute to Herman F . Mark. G . A. S T A H L
Bartlesville, Oklahoma July 1981
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Stahl; Polymer Science Overview ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 1981.
Downloaded by 91.200.81.37 on November 28, 2016 | http://pubs.acs.org Publication Date: December 10, 1981 | doi: 10.1021/bk-1981-0175.pr001
Editor Stahl, Carl "Speed" Marvel, Herman Mark
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Stahl; Polymer Science Overview ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 1981.
PREFACE
Downloaded by 91.200.81.37 on November 28, 2016 | http://pubs.acs.org Publication Date: December 10, 1981 | doi: 10.1021/bk-1981-0175.pr001
B
orn in Vienna, Austria, on M a y 3, 1895, Professor Herman M a r k is as vital today as his almost innumerable contributions to polymer science. H e continues to maintain an active schedule as a world traveler and lecturer at numerous national and international symposia and seminars. His home base, however, remains at Polytechnic Institute of New York, where he is Dean Emeritus and an emeritus member of the Board of Trustees. Dr. Mark is acknowledged throughout the scientific community as the father of polymer science. He received the National Medal of Science in 1980, the 1978 Senior U . S . Scientist Award, 29 other medals and awards from various international organizations, and 17 honorary degrees. In 1977, he was appointed as an Honorable Member of the Japan Chemical Society. H e has published over 500 original and review articles and some 20 books on topics related to polymer chemistry. D r . M a r k is founder and first editor of the Journal of Polymer Science, the definitive publication in its field, and is currently editor of the Journal of Applied Science and associate editor of the Textile Research Journal. In addition to these duties he serves as Chairman of the Editorial Board of the Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Technology. Dr. Mark's World War I exploits (including an escape from an enemy prisoner-of-war camp) read like a Hollywood film script. During World War II, he contributed to the Allied cause through development of plasticcoated tents, mildewproof fabrics, gasproof clothing, an amphibious truck, and the snow vehicle called "the Weasel." Dr. Herman M a r k is a teacher of others and possesses great warmth, sensitivity, and wit. H e remains a scientist without comparison in his discipline, to which the greatness of his work testifies. He is a man for all seasons. E L I M. PEARCE
Brooklyn, New Y o r k July 1981
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Stahl; Polymer Science Overview ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 1981.
Downloaded by 91.200.81.37 on November 28, 2016 | http://pubs.acs.org Publication Date: December 10, 1981 | doi: 10.1021/bk-1981-0175.pr001
The Geheimrat
Program speakers of symposium presented in honor of Dr. Herman Mark. Second Chemical Congress of the North American Continent Las Vegas on August 25, 1980 (l-r, E. M. Pearce, C. G. Overberger, Goodman, P. J. Flory, H. Ringsdorf, "Speed" Marvel, Hans Mark, Geheimrat, W. O. Baker, Jr., and R. Simha). xii
Stahl; Polymer Science Overview ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 1981.
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