Voting Station

Harry Coover, Jr.

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Inventor

The Resume

    (March 6, 1917-March 26, 2011)
    Born in Newark, Delaware
    Earned a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in chemistry from Cornell University
    Worked as a chemist for Eastman Kodak (1944-73) and as Vice President of the company (1973-84)
    Invented Super Glue in 1951 while experimenting at a Kodak lab
    Held 460 patents
    Awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation by President Barack Obama in 2010
    Died of congestive heart failure in Kingsport, Tennessee at age 94

Why he might be annoying:

    He and a lab partner discovered the substance by accident, ruining a $3,000 piece of equipment in the process.
    Back in 1951 the sticky stuff was known as Eastman 910 (it was the 910th compound they tested).
    He didn't mass market the glue until seven years had passed.
    His innovation did not bring him wealth, as Super Glue didn't become a commercial success until the patents had expired.

Why he might not be annoying:

    Though the glue itself didn't make him rich, his other patents and position at Kodak made him independently wealthy.
    He went on 'I've Got a Secret' to demonstrate his Super Glue, grabbing a metal bar that was glued to another, and was hoisted in the air.
    Host Gary Moore also grabbed the bar, and it held both men - all on live TV.
    He stated he was proudest that his invention was used to treat injured soldiers in the Vietnam War (Super Glue in spray form was used to stop bleeding).
    In 2004 he was inducted into the National Inventor's Hall of Fame.
    He was married to his wife for over 60 years until her death in 2005.

Credit: Scar Tactics


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 6 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 10 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 11 Votes: 63.64% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 284 Votes: 50.70% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 4 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 326 Votes: 56.44% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 240 Votes: 56.67% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 24 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 12 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 29 Votes: 51.72% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 50 Votes: 36.00% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 177 Votes: 48.59% Annoying