Education
He graduated in 1948 with a degree in chemistry. He then continued his education at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, obtaining both his Master of Surgery and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from this institution.
He graduated in 1948 with a degree in chemistry. He then continued his education at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, obtaining both his Master of Surgery and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from this institution.
LEXAN is the flagship product of General Electric Plastics (a division of General Electric) and is used in everything from CDs and DVDs to car bumpers. Though Doctor Fox is often credited with the invention of LEXAN resin, the patent and agreement to share the plastic between Bayer and General Electric is much more complicated than the simplistic "Father of LEXAN Polycarbonate" title bestowed upon Doctor Fox by many sources. Doctor Fox began his academic career at Lebanon Valley College in Annville, Pennsylvania.
Upon his graduation, he was hired by General Electric in Schenectady, New York as the new manager of chemical development.
lieutenant was there in 1953 that he invented LEXAN while working on a project to develop new wire insulation material. Foreign the next 35 years, he produced ground breaking research in his field and eventually was the holder of 44 patents.
He retired from General Electric in June 1988, but continued his polymer research until his death in February 1989. At General Electric, his employees often referred to themselves as students of "Dan Fox University" because of Doctor Fox"s impressive ability to recognize and promote young, talented scientists.
Jack Welch, former Chief Executive Officer and chairman of General Electric, was one of the most notable students to graduate from Dan Fox University.
Even though Doctor Fox is often credited with the invention of this plastics product, he was not the first. In 1955, Fox applied for a patent, two years after his initial discovery of the material. In the same year, Bayer in Germany had also applied for a United States. patent on a molecule invented by Doctor Hermann Schnell that was virtually identical to Fox"son
So before it was decided who was to receive the patent, General Electric and Bayer entered into an agreement that stipulated whoever received the United States patent would agree to allow the other to operate by paying a royalty to the patent holder.
This worked out in General Electric"s favor after the patent was awarded to Bayer because Schnell"s date of invention preceded Fox"s by only one week. Doctor Fox may be considered the father of LEXAN polycarbonate, but indeed he shares that honor with Doctor Schnell.
Fox,, Peters, Edward North.