<P> In 1971 , research chemist Stephanie Kwolek discovered a liquid crystalline polymer solution . Its exceptional strength and stiffness led to the invention of Kevlar ® , a synthetic fibre , woven into a fabric and layered , that , by weight , has five times the tensile strength of steel . In the mid-1970s , DuPont the company which employed Kwolek introduced Kevlar . Immediately Kevlar was incorporated into a National Institute of Justice ( NIJ ) evaluation program to provide lightweight , able body armor to a test pool of American law enforcement officers to ascertain if everyday able wearing was possible . Lester Shubin , a program manager at the NIJ , managed this law enforcement feasibility study within a few selected large police agencies , and quickly determined that Kevlar body armor could be comfortably worn by police daily , and would save lives . </P>
<P> In 1971 , research chemist Stephanie Kwolek discovered a liquid crystalline polymer solution . Its exceptional strength and stiffness led to the invention of Kevlar ® , a synthetic fibre , woven into a fabric and layered , that , by weight , has five times the tensile strength of steel . In the mid-1970s , DuPont the company which employed Kwolek introduced Kevlar . Immediately Kevlar was incorporated into a National Institute of Justice ( NIJ ) evaluation program to provide lightweight , able body armor to a test pool of American law enforcement officers to ascertain if everyday able wearing was possible . Lester Shubin , a program manager at the NIJ , managed this law enforcement feasibility study within a few selected large police agencies , and quickly determined that Kevlar body armor could be comfortably worn by police daily , and would save lives . </P>
when was kevlar first used as body armor
when was kevlar first used as body armor
In the mid-1970s
In the mid-1970s