George Victor Sammet Sr.: Pioneer of the Plastics Industry
The remarkable journey of George Victor Sammet Sr., a leader in the early days of the plastics industry, includes groundbreaking inventions and the establishment of key industry organizations such as the Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI).
Dr. G. Victor Sammet, Sr., Plastics Industry Association (USA). Source: Plastics Hall of Fame
George Victor Sammet Sr. left a legacy as both an innovator and a leader. With a background in chemistry, his journey began with academic achievements at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Leipzig in Germany, culminating in a Ph.D. in chemistry.
Sammet's collaboration and knowledge-sharing were evident from his early years, as demonstrated by his role as a founding member and first president of MIT's Senior Chemistry Society.
In 1907, he co-founded Northern Industrial Chemical Company (NIC). His research into phenol-resins led to the co-invention of Roxite, a groundbreaking plant-based compound. Under his leadership, NIC expanded its capabilities to include molding materials such as Bakelite, Condensite and Redmanol.
Throughout his tenure, he and his team perfected molding processes, contributing to NIC's success in manufacturing various products, from automobile parts to communication device housings.
Beyond his entrepreneurial endeavors, Sammet's contributions to the industry extended to establishing key organizations such as the Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) in 1937, where he provided the initial funding during the Great Depression. His commitment to preserving the industry's history also led to the chartering of the Plastic Pioneers Association in 1942. He was inducted into the Plastics Hall of Fame in 2024.
