Otto Wichterle: The Man Who Improved the Vision of Millions in Google Doodle

THE Otto Wichterle is her chosen one Google for today doodle of the search engine. The Czech chemist helped improve the lives of millions of people. Invent soft contact lenses.

Born in Czech republic on October 27, 1913 and son of a wealthy businessman, o Vichterle developed from an early age an interest in Sciences. The direction he would take was evident even from his schools in the area Olomouc. After finishing school, then, he traveled to Prague and studied at School of Chemistry and Technology of the Czech Technical University.

At the same time, he developed an interest in Medicine. He graduated in 1936, but remained at University, while later he worked in the team of the well-known scientist Thomas Batta in the Zlin, where they did research on the production of plastics. Shortly after, the first synthetic fiber of the group was “born”, the silon.

In 1942 he was arrested by Gestapo, but after a few months he was released Vichterle returned to Prague and to University where he specialized in Organic chemistry and devoted himself to teaching. At the same time, however, his restless and active spirit pushed him to try new things. 10 years later it was already considered an authority in its field Chemistry Technology and of course in plastic technology.

He then became interested in developing a gel-like material that could be in constant contact with living tissues, but without causing them any problems. With the help of his partner Drachoslav Lim, succeeded and the great invention followed.

Towards the end of 1961, the Vichterle introduced the first contact lenses – a patent that was envisioned at least eight years ago when it also applied for the patent. He did it using unorthodox methods: a set of children’s toys, a dynamo from a bicycle and a bell transformer.

He tried the new product on his own eyes on Christmas morning that year. What he understood was that although the grades were completely wrong, he did not feel any discomfort in his eyes. Then began the more mass production and improvement of the product. This was the beginning of contact lenses.

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