Polyurethane Timeline
Over the Years
1937
Discovered
- Dr. Otto Bayer discovers the basic polyurethane chemistry I.G. Farben
1940
Foam for Aircraft
- Rigid foam first introduced into aircraft
1941
Adhesive Qualities
- Adhesive between rubber, metal and glass
1948
Keep It Cold
- First insulation application a beer barrel
1949
Vulcanised Rubber
- Vulcanised rollable polyurethane rubber
1953
Synthetic Leather
- Polyurethane shoe soles are created as synthetic leather
1954
Foam Cushions
- Cushions made from polyurethane foam
1958
Spandex Clothing
- Introduction of spandex fibre for clothing purposes
1959
NASA
- Space suits with polyurethane lining developed by NASA for the Mercury mission
1960
Building
- Steel sandwich building panels begin
1966
Becoming Popular
- Integral skin for armrests and shoe soles
1967
Plastic Car
- First all plastic car, the K67, with polyurethane interiors, is exhibited in Germany
1969
Bumpers
- Automobile bumpers for increased safety
1970
Wood or Plastic
- Imitation wood, Orthopaedic and medical applications
1972
Surfacing
- Track surfacing for the Munich Olympic Stadium
1973
Wheels
- Thermoplastic polyurethane wheels improved and popularised for roller skates
1977
Bob Evans
- Polyurethane ‘Forcefin’ flippers used for a variety of underwater activities. Invented by Bob Evans
1979
Spray Insulation
- Spray building insulation invented
1980
Sandwich Panels
- Polyurethane based sandwich panels started
1981
Surfing
- Surfboards are made from polyurethane
1985
Passenger Safety
- Energy-absorbing foam for passenger safety in cars
1990
Football
- First football made containing polyurethane materials
1990
Window Frames
- First passive house built in Darmstadt, Germany, using polyurethane insulated window frames
1991
Memory Foam
- First commercial polyurethane memory foam mattress produced in the US by Tempur-Pedic
1992
Protection
- NASA’s Endeavour space shuttle’s first flight; the shuttle uses polyurethane to protect external fuel tanks
1993
Medical Hoses
- Thin wall medical hoses, like catheters
1995
Enhanced Performance
- Bicycle tyres are made containing polyurethane material to enhance performance
2001
Car Tyres
- Car tyres are made containing polyurethane material to enhance performance
2003
HCFC-Free
- All polyurethane foams have been HCFC-free in the E.U. since 2003
2004
Coastal Protection
- Elastocoast polyurethane bonding system which reinforces existing dykes and coastal protections developed
2004
Artificial Heart
- Syncardia total artificial heart, with polyurethane ventricles, approved for use after a 10-year clinical trial
2007
Rail Vehicles
- Partially foam-filled ballast bed for rail vehicles, reducing noise pollution and maintenance requirements
2008
Swimsuits
- 100% high-speed polyurethane swimsuits allow world-class swimmers to excel
2008
Porous Pavement
- Elastopave porous pavement which allows the movement of air and water through the pavement developed
2009
Repair Scratches
- Self-curing coating for cars invented to repair scratches on car surfaces
2010
Solar Plane
- First solar-powered plane to fly around the world; polyurethanes are essential in the light-weight frame
2011
Apple Smart Cover
- Apple launches the polyurethane ‘smart cover’ for the iPad 2
2011
Robotic Bird
- Robotic ‘smart-bird’ that flies with bird-like motion developed; made from polyurethane and fibre-glass casing
2011
Airbus Sells
- Airbus, who use polyurethane technology in their aeroplanes, reach their 10,000th order
2011
Safety Blocks
- Top Formula One tracks adopt polyurethane safety blocks to replace tires
2011
E-Cars
- Polyurethane foam used as a lightweight design and high-performance insulator for e-cars
2011
New Ingredient
- First plant using carbon dioxide as an ingredient for polyurethane is opened in Germany
2022
It’s Everywhere
- Today polyurethanes are found in almost everything we use and rely on
