Background
Keith was born on May 29, 1920, in Stewart Creek, West Virginia, United States; the son of Howard Polser Keith and Mary (Rawson) Keith.
Bloomington, Indiana, United States
Indiana University
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States
Salem College
Chicago, Illinois, United States
DePaul University
Keith was born on May 29, 1920, in Stewart Creek, West Virginia, United States; the son of Howard Polser Keith and Mary (Rawson) Keith.
Keith graduated from Salem College in 1943. Two years later he earned his Master of Science degree in chemistry from the Indiana University. Also in 1947, Carl was given a Doctor of Philosophy degree from DePaul University.
Keith began his career as a chemist at Sinclair Oil in 1943. Fourteen years later he took the same position at Engelhard Industries. Then Carl worked as a vice president, president and chairman at the same company from 1976 to until his retirement in 1985.
Keith and his colleague John J. Mooney, invented the three-way catalytic converter. In it a chemical reaction converts toxic combustion by-products - chiefly nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons - into substances that are less toxic. This device has been responsible for the large reduction of atmospheric pollution since the mid-1970s when it was incorporated into motor vehicles of all kinds as well as static machines with engines, such as generators.
Carl Keith was married to Edith Birmingham Keith. The marriage produced two daughters, six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.