Arthur Eichengrün

Arthur Eichengrün was a German chemist and materials scientist who made significant contributions to his field. Born in 1867, he went on to develop innovative solutions that had a lasting impact on various industries. One of his notable achievements was the creation of Protargol, a highly effective treatment for gonorrhea that remained the standard for 50 years until the advent of antibiotics. Eichengrün's work in the development of plastics also paved the way for major advancements in the field.

Eichengrün's pioneering work in plastics led to the co-development of the first soluble cellulose acetate materials, known as "Cellit", in 1903. He also created processes for manufacturing these materials, which played a crucial role in the development of injection moulding. Additionally, his synthetic cellulose acetate lacquers, marketed as "Cellon", were used in the aircraft industry during World War I due to their relatively non-flammable properties. Eichengrün also made notable contributions to photochemistry, inventing a process for producing and developing cellulose acetate film, which he patented along with Becker. He passed away in 1949, leaving behind a legacy of groundbreaking work in chemistry and materials science.