Dr. John Birmingham
 |
1997
Dr. John Birmingham
Scientist
Class of 1947
Dr. John Birmingham graduated from Beatrice High School in 1947. He attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in chemistry and attended Harvard University, receiving a doctorate in inorganic chemistry. John supervised the design and construction of the first prototype liquid H2- liquid 02- liquid storage system for fuel cells on Apollo. He was also credited with discovering metallocenes for zirconium, titanium and other rare-earth elements. Dr. Birmingham started Boulder Scientific Company in 1972 and today it is recognized worldwide for its metallocenes that are used as a catalyst in polyethylene and polypropylene resins. (Nominated by Ardath Pinkerton)