Paul M. Cook
Paul M. Cook | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 25, 1924 |
| Died | December 14, 2020(aged 96)[4] |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| Awards | Winthrop-Sears Medalfrom the Chemical Industry Association (1986)[1] National Medal of Technology(1988)[1][2] |
| Scientific career | |
| Institutions | SRI International Raychem |
Paul M. Cook(April 25, 1924[5][6]– December 14, 2020) was an American businessman who was the founder and CEO ofRaychem,a chemical manufacturing company that reached $2 billion in annual revenue. In 1988, he was awarded theNational Medal of Technology"[f]or his vision and entrepreneurial efforts, his technical accomplishments and his business and technical leadership as the key contributor in creating a worldwide chemically based industry."
Early life and education
[edit]Paul Cook took an early interest in chemistry, and developed a chemistry lab in the basement of his parents' home.[6][7]After he graduated high school in 1941, he started at theMassachusetts Institute of Technology(MIT), studying chemical engineering underWarren K. Lewis.[6]
In 1943, Cook enlisted in the United States Army and enrolled in the Army Specialized Training Program; through that program, he attendedStanford Universityfor two terms, studying mechanical engineering. Cook was then sent to Hunter Liggett Military Reservation and thenFort Benning,where he completed Officer Candidate School. He was then sent to fight in Italy. Cook served in combat with the10th Mountain Division.[6]
In 1946, Cook left the army and worked forSubmarine Signalin Boston. He then returned to MIT and completed his Bachelor of Science in 1947.[3][6]
Career
[edit]Cook was one ofSRI International's earliest employees, joining the organization in 1948 as its 48th employee.[1]He went on to lead SRI'sRadiation ChemistryLaboratory, where he was interested in using high-energy electrons to alter polymers.[3]
In 1951, Cook founded theSequoia Process Corporation;he left that after five years to foundRaychem,which opened in 1957, and focused on commercial applications for radiochemistry.[6]He served as Raychem's CEO and chairman of the board.[3]
Cook founded other companies, includingCellNet Data Systems,DIVA Systems(1995), andPromptu.[3][8]
Awards and memberships
[edit]Cook served on SRI International's board of directors for nine years and served as its chairman for six of those.[3]
In 1986, he was awarded theWinthrop-Sears Medalfrom the Chemical Industry Association.[1]In 1988,Ronald Reaganawarded him theNational Medal of Technology.[1][2]
He received theBay Area Council's Bay Area Business Hall of Fame Award in 1999,[1]and SRI's Weldon B. "Hoot" Gibson Achievement Award in 2008.[3]
References
[edit]- ^abcdefg"SRI International Board Member and Diva Chairman Paul M. Cook to be Honored by the Bay Area Council".1999-10-22. Archived fromthe originalon 2012-05-13.
- ^ab"Reagan Awards Medals For Science Advances".The New York Times.1988-07-19.Retrieved2015-08-21.
- ^abcdefg"SRI International Presents Silicon Valley Visionary Paul Cook with Award for Innovation Excellence".SRI International.2008-01-18. Archived fromthe originalon 2012-07-04.Retrieved2015-08-21.
- ^Paul Cook, former SRI board member and founder of SRI spin-out Raychem, Passes at 96
- ^Center for Oral History."Paul M. Cook".Science History Institute.
- ^abcdefBohning, James J. (2 April 1992).Paul M. Cook, Transcript of an Interview Conducted by James J. Bohning at San Carlos, California on 2 April 1992(PDF).Philadelphia, PA:Chemical Heritage Foundation.
- ^"Commercialization of Radiation Chemistry".American Chemical Society.April 9, 1997.RetrievedAugust 21,2015.
- ^"The Business of Innovation: An Interview with Paul Cook".Harvard Business Review.March–April 1990.Retrieved2015-08-21.
External links
[edit]- Center for Oral History."Paul M. Cook".Science History Institute.
- Bohning, James J. (2 April 1992).Paul M. Cook, Transcript of an Interview Conducted by James J. Bohning at San Carlos, California on 2 April 1992(PDF).Philadelphia, PA:Chemical Heritage Foundation.