Dr. Donald Alstadt Honoured with Herman F. Mark Technology Medal 2000.

Date: November 30, 2000
Place: Auditorium, Dibner Library, Polytechnic University

In the late forties and early fifties, no quality rubber-to-metal adhesives existed anywhere. To that end, Don Alstadt led a concerted effort within Lord Corporation to develop such an adhesive system. Through outside consultations with universities and other industries, coupled with his own internal development efforts, Don is responsible for the development and commercialization of Chemlok Adhesives in 1956. This product was later identified as a "gamma product" because of its destabilizing effect on the industry and the way it was accepted worldwide. Don's effort first led to the formation of the Lord Special Products Division, followed by Hughson Chemicals, and finally the Lord Chemical Products Division where Chemlok Adhesives are still manufactured and sold worldwide today.