How Strong is Kevlar®?
The polymer that Stephanie Kwolek created–Kevlar®–was very light but stiff and strong beyond anyone s imagination. Pound for pound, Kevlar is five times stronger than steel. And it s chemical and flame resistant. Today Kevlar® is used in boat hulls, bullet-resistant vests, cut-resistant gloves, fiber-optic cables, firefighters and lumberjacks suits, helmets, tires, sporting equipment–anywhere that resistance to heat or cuts is a must. Kwolek s ability to recognize possibilities where others did not is a quality that she shares with many inventors. This ability to see non-obvious connections and relationships often leads inventors to the key insight that is the basis for their invention. Sometimes it seems as if the inventor had a flash of inspiration or a Eureka! moment. But often these instances are examples of a lifetime habit, begun in childhood, of curiosity, exploration, and refusal to give up at the first sign of failure.
