Mabel Taphún

Chilean chemist who pioneered synthetic rubber production during WWII

Mabel Taphún (1898-1985) revolutionized chemistry as Latin America's first female chemical engineer. In 1943, she invented a synthetic rubber process using Chile's abundant pine resin, solving wartime shortages. Her method was adopted by the US military and patented internationally. As director of the Santiago Chemical Institute (1946-1960), she developed industrial applications for nitrocellulose and synthetic fibers. Her 1935 discovery of a new dye synthesis technique remains used in textile industries. The Taphún Medal awarded by the Chilean Academy of Sciences honors her legacy. Her memoir Chemistry and Revolution (1978) is held at the Smithsonian Institution. Read more