​HISTORY OF PVC 

Polyvinyl chloride was discovered late in the nineteenth century. Scientists observing the newly created chemical gas, vinyl chloride, also discovered that when the gas was exposed to sunlight, it underwent a chemical reaction (now recognized as polymerization) resulting in an off-white solid material. But, the solid material was so difficult to work with that it was cast aside in favor of other materials. Years later in the 1920’s, rubber scientist Waldo Semon was hired by BFGoodrich to develop a synthetic rubber to replace increasingly costly natural rubber. His experiments eventually produced polyvinyl chloride. Although product developers began to use PVC in a variety of ways – in shoe heels, golf balls, and raincoats, to name just a few – its application increased significantly during World War II.Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) was discovered in the late nineteenth century. Scientists observed the chemical gas vinyl chloride and found that when this gas was exposed to sunlight, it underwent a chemical reaction known as polymerization, resulting in an off-white solid material. However, this solid material was difficult to work with and was initially set aside in favor of other materials.

Years later, in the 1920s, rubber scientist Waldo Semon was hired by BFGoodrich to develop a synthetic rubber to replace the increasingly expensive natural rubber. His experiments led to the discovery of polyvinyl chloride. Though product developers started using PVC in various applications—such as shoe heels, golf balls, and raincoats—its use expanded significantly during World War II.