Neoprene—trade name for polychloroprene—is a synthetic rubber produced from chloroprene by polymerization (changing short chains of molecules to longer chains). Chloroprene is a liquid that when polymerized forms a solid, rubbery substance. When compared with natural rubber, it is lighter, does not perish, is a better thermal insulator, and is chemically inert. Neoprene was invented in 1930 by Wallace Carothers (1896-1937), and by 1931 it had become the first mass-produced synthetic rubber compound. It is commonly used in wetsuits, car fan belts, gaskets, hoses, and corrosion-resistant coatings.
When used for wet suits, the air spaces in the neoprene are filled with nitrogen to increase its insulation properties. This also makes the material more buoyant. More recently, it has become a- fashionable material for lifestyle accessories, including laptop covers, iPod holders, pouches for remote controls, and even jewelry.
The development of synthetic rubber began at DuPont, the U.S. chemical company. It was based on the research of Father Julius Arthur Nieuwland a professor of chemistry at the University of Notre Dame, in Paris. Nieuwiand had successfully polymerized acetylene. DuPont bought the patent rights, and Carothers, who worked for them, collaborated with Nieuwiand on the successful commercial development of neoprene.
Carothers was a professor at Harvard when he started his research into polymers, moving to DuPont to pursue his research in a commercial environment. He suffered from depression and carried a capsule of cyanide with him at all times as an escape route.
