William C. Goggin (1911–1988): Architect of the Plastic Age
William C. Goggin was not merely a chemist; he was one of the primary architects of the "Plastic Age." During a career that spanned the mid-20th century, Goggin transformed laboratory curiosities into the ubiquitous materials that define modern life—from the clear film in our kitchens to the high-performance silicones in aerospace technology. As a research scientist and later the CEO of Dow Corning, Goggin bridged the gap between fundamental molecular science and global industrial application.
1. Biography: From Rural Michigan to Industrial Leadership
William "Bill" C. Goggin was born on November 21, 1911, in Alma, Michigan. His life and career remained deeply rooted in the American Midwest, the heart of the burgeoning chemical industry.
Education
Goggin attended Alma College, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in 1933. He continued his studies at the University of Michigan, earning a Master’s degree in Physics and Engineering in 1936. This dual background in physics and chemistry would prove vital in his ability to understand both the molecular structure and the mechanical properties of new materials.
Career Trajectory
Immediately upon graduation in 1936, Goggin joined The Dow Chemical Company in Midland, Michigan. He entered the Physical Research Laboratory at a pivotal moment when the company was pivotally shifting from heavy industrial chemicals to organic polymers.
Leadership Roles
By the 1940s, he was directing the Plastics Development and Service department. He eventually rose to become the General Manager of the Plastics Department at Dow. In 1967, he was named President and later Chairman and CEO of Dow Corning, the joint venture between Dow and Corning Glass Works focused on silicone technology. He retired in 1976 but remained an active consultant and philanthropist until his death in August 1988.
2. Major Contributions: The Commercialization of Polymers
Goggin’s primary contribution was the "scaling up" of polymer science. He was a pioneer in Technical Service and Development (TS&D), a methodology that involved working directly with manufacturers to adapt chemical products to consumer needs.
- Saran (Polyvinylidene Chloride): While Ralph Wiley is often credited with the accidental discovery of Saran, Goggin was the man who made it viable. He led the team that refined the polymer to remove its initial "locker room" odor and greenish tint, eventually developing the thin, high-barrier film known globally as Saran Wrap.
- Styrofoam (Expanded Polystyrene): Goggin played a central role in the commercial development of polystyrene. During World War II, he helped pivot this material from a brittle novelty into a critical insulating material and a lightweight buoyancy aid for the U.S. Navy.
- Synthetic Rubber (Buna-S): During the 1940s, when natural rubber supplies were cut off by the war in the Pacific, Goggin was a key figure in the U.S. government’s synthetic rubber program. He worked on the development of Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR), which was essential for the Allied war effort.
- Silicone Evolution: At Dow Corning, Goggin oversaw the transition of silicones from niche industrial lubricants to essential components in medical implants, sealants for skyscrapers, and heat-resistant tiles for the emerging space program.
3. Notable Publications and Patents
Goggin’s work was often proprietary, held within the archives of Dow Chemical, but his public-facing scholarship helped define the field of plastics engineering.
- "Saran: The New Polyvinylidene Chloride Plastics" (1942): Published in Industrial & Engineering Chemistry, this paper introduced the world to the unique properties of Saran, specifically its resistance to chemicals and moisture.
- "Polystyrene" (1946): A seminal technical review of the molding and fabrication of polystyrene, which served as a blueprint for the post-war plastics boom.
- Patents: Goggin held numerous patents related to the treatment of vinylidene chloride and methods for the extrusion of plastic films. His patents often focused on the process of making plastics usable (e.g., U.S. Patent 2,215,730 for "Method of making plastic articles").
4. Awards & Recognition
Goggin’s peers recognized him as a visionary who could see the "molecular future."
- The John Wesley Hyatt Award (1945): This was the highest honor in the plastics industry at the time, awarded to Goggin for his "outstanding contribution to the plastics industry" regarding his work on Saran and synthetic rubber during WWII.
- Honorary Doctorate: Alma College awarded him an honorary Doctor of Science degree in 1954 for his contributions to industrial chemistry.
- The Memorial Award (Society of Plastics Engineers): Recognized his lifetime of leadership in polymer science.
- Governance: He served as a Director of the Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) and was a member of the American Chemical Society for over 50 years.
5. Impact & Legacy
William Goggin’s legacy is found in the physical makeup of the modern world. Before Goggin, "plastic" was often viewed as a cheap, inferior substitute for wood or metal. Through his work at Dow, he proved that plastics were "engineered materials" with properties—such as moisture resistance and electrical insulation—that natural materials could not match.
His leadership at Dow Corning also ensured that silicones became a distinct and vital branch of chemistry. He helped establish the "Midland style" of industrial research, which emphasized the collaboration between laboratory scientists and market engineers. Today, the Goggin Hall at Alma College and various scholarships in his name continue to support the next generation of chemical engineers.
6. Collaborations
Goggin was a quintessential "collaborative leader." His success relied on his ability to interface between different worlds:
- Willard Dow: The President of Dow Chemical, who gave Goggin the resources to pursue the "Plastics Department" when many in the company were skeptical of its value.
- Ray Boundy: A fellow Dow chemist and pioneer in polystyrene. Together, they navigated the complex transition of Dow from a chemical supplier to a consumer-facing plastics giant.
- The U.S. War Production Board: During WWII, Goggin collaborated with government officials and rival chemical companies to standardize synthetic rubber production, a rare moment of cross-industry cooperation.
7. Lesser-Known Facts
- The "Saran" Mystery: The name "Saran" has no chemical meaning. It was reportedly a combination of the names of the wife and daughter of one of the Dow engineers (Sarah and Ann), and Goggin was one of the few executives who championed keeping the "friendly" name rather than a technical chemical designation.
- Post-War Germany: Immediately following World War II, Goggin was part of a select group of American scientists sent to Germany to investigate the state of the German chemical industry (specifically I.G. Farben). His reports helped the U.S. leapfrog certain European technologies in polymer processing.
- Philanthropy: Goggin was deeply committed to his alma mater. He served as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Alma College and was instrumental in the physical and academic expansion of the college during the 1960s and 70s.
William C. Goggin’s career serves as a testament to the power of industrial chemistry to reshape human society. He took the complex, often volatile world of polymers and turned it into the stable, versatile materials that underpin the 21st-century economy.