Jacques E. Brandenberger

Jacques Edwin Brandenberger (* October 19, 1872 in Zurich, † July 13, 1954 ) was a Swiss chemist and textile engineer who invented cellophane in 1908.

Life

Brandenberger studied at the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Bern Ph.D. in chemistry in a very short time already 22 years and the highest distinction, summa cum laude. He was then the youngest doctorate in chemistry, Switzerland.

He went to France and worked as a dye expert in textile factories in Normandy and in Remiremont. In 1904 he worked for Blanchisserie et Teinturerie de Thaon 1908, the first machine for the production of dense cellophane was developed from cellulose. His patents he transferred in 1917 to his company founded in 1913, " La Cellophane SA" in Bezons, Val- d'Oise, France. The brand name Cellophane originated from the French words " cellulose " and " diaphanous " ( transparent). 1923 You made ​​Pont and La Cellophane S. A. a joint venture to cover the U.S. market. Until the 1950s Brandenberger has received numerous patents for manufacturing processes and applications of its transparent films. Since the first patents were already expired for making films in the 1920s, also produced other chemical companies worldwide cellophane.

The global economic success of the cellophane was the basis of the considerable fortune, which left Jacques E. Brandenberger his daughter Irma Marthe Brandenberger. In 2006 he was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame.

Foundation

Marthe Brandenberger built from the legacy of her father's last will and testament on December 9, 1965, the Foundation Dr. JE Brandenberger, which was entered in the commercial register of the Canton of Zurich after her death in 1986. The Foundation awards launched in 1990 yearly Swiss personalities who have rendered outstanding services to the humanitarian culture, social progress or the standard of living in a particular way.

The francs 200,000 ( € 135,000 ) in prize is one of the largest awards in Switzerland and is awarded by the Board of Trustees at the request of the Price Commission, which belong to renowned representatives of scientific, social and cultural bodies.