Kevlar Inventor Dies

CORRECTION: "GJ" correctly pointed out: "This dude didn't invent kevlar. He invented the bulletproof vest." Oooops, it's an error alright. "Not an idiot" elaborates: "Kevlar was invented by a woman working for DuPont, Stephanie Kwolek. Nice contradiction between the headline and the first sentence of the article." Others made similar observations so I once again confess, I'm only human despite the rumors.

The lamestream media told you:

Nothing.

The Uninvited Ombudsman notes however that:

Lester Shuban, a chemist doing research for the Justice Dept., learned of DuPont's new material Kevlar, advertised as "stronger than steel, lighter than nylon." Working with a friend at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland, he wrapped a phone book with several layers of the new fabric and shot it with a .38 caliber revolver. The bullets did not penetrate.

He got his hands on $5 million from Justice, developed prototypes, and went on to impressive tests on a series of volunteer... goats. In 1975, when a Seattle cop walked in on an armed robbery and was shot at point blank range, and survived, Kevlar vests soared to popularity and have reportedly saved thousands of lives.

This, by the way, and contrary to government schemes, is the most classic American method of job creation -- invent something that doesn't exist that everyone wants, and sell zillions. It's an olden method known as profit-driven capitalism. Capitalism has moved more people out of poverty than any other system known to man.

Bullet-resistant clothing, a purely defensive tool, is legal for the public in most places, though politicians have for some time tried to outlaw it for innocent Americans. For people who are afraid of guns, Kevlar is a nearly perfect defense mechanism, as long as it remains legal. Committing a crime while wearing body armor is an aggravating circumstance, increasing the penalty in many states.

A warning to armed citizens who may face government dynamic entry teams wrongfully breaking into their homes by mistake, "You only think you're armed if the other guy is wearing body armor." Talk-show host and Watergate accomplice G. Gordon Liddy took endless rebuke and support for recommending what to do in such a situation.

Comments

[GJ]

This dude didn't invent kevlar. He invented the bulletproof vest.

[Not an Idiot]

Kevlar was invented by a woman working for DuPont, Stephanie Kwolek. Nice contradition between the headline and the first sentence of the article.

[Curious]

What was Liddy's advice?

[Apparently not]

Your post is so poorly written, it's amazingly funny.

Let's see if I have this right.

A government employee reads about a new material invented at a private enterprise, and gets government funding for a new device, and that is capitalism?

[vic]

Liddys advice was two in the groin, one in the head as they come though the door...

[Teh Boss]

Not only did this author not get his facts straight, he even misspelled the guy's name. It's Lester Shubin, not Shuban. Shoddy excuse for journalism.

[Someone who can research]

stop doing your damn research on Wikipedia and actually look up the patent, idiots.

[iMMANUAEL KANT]

The G-man said to aim for the head, which is the best place to aim when your assailants are wearing body armor over their torsos. He took a lot of criticism from people who thought he was advocating shooting government agents. He was simply stating the best place to shoot someone who had Kevlar.

Personally I prefer the mozambique drill when faced with armored attackers. It stresses consistency in training that will be effective against both Kevlar and non-Kevlar wearing attackers.

[Georgejmyersjr.blogspot.com]

I worked on the initial archaeology survey of Fort Drum, NY, once "Pine Camp" until 10,000 were asked to leave creating ~110,000 acres after WWII. Bog iron was turned into wheels and axles for the early railroads in 3 or 4 places there along with dairy farms and cheese factories. The field director, a woman archeologist from Delaware, stated that contrary to most evidence her grandfather had invented Kevlar while at Dupont there. Fort Drum, used intermittently then in 1983 by NY Guard, US Army winter training, stationary tank live fire, A-10 target practice, EOD disposal, etc., became the cantonment of the 10 Mountain Division, moved from Camp Hale, Colorado. Doesn't sound like her grandfather.

[J. Kimmel O'Brien-Ferguson]

The sad death of Lester Shubin (note correct spelling) WAS reported in the mainstream media. Here's a link to his obituary:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/25/AR2009112503917.html