He invented foam polystyrene, or Styrofoam. McIntire had been trying to develop a flexible electrical insulator for coating wires. Polystyrene, although a good insulator, was too brittle. He thought he could soften it by adding isobutylene under pressure, but instead made the light foamy substance.
What happened today in chemistry? Explore 366 days of chemistry history at On This Day in Chemistry.
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