Women's History Month - Giuliana Tesoro

In recognition of Women’s History Month, Smithtown Matters is proud to recognize the accomplishments of women.  It is fascinating to learn the wonderful and interesting ways women have made their mark on the world.  Throughout March, SmithtownMatters will give a brief history of women who made a difference.

Day 7- Giuliana Tesoro, Ph.D., Chemist, Educator, Inventor of Flame-resistant fibers

Giuliana Tesoro was born in Venice, Italy in 1921.  She moved to the United States during the turbulent Nazi period.  She worked hard to complete her education and received her Ph.D. at the age of twenty-one.   Her interest in the textile industry led her to develop 120 U.S. Patents.  She created flame-resistant fibers, designed ways to prevent static accumulation in synthetic fibers and created improved permanent press properties for textiles. Giuliana was a founding member of the Fiber Society, served on Board’s for the Textile Research Journal, National Academy of Science’s Committee on Fire Safety of Polymeric Materials.  Giuliana also created programs to allow manufacturing projects to run at peak operation and efficiency. In 1963 she was awarded the Olney Medal of the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists. She was the recipient of the Society of Women Engineers’ Achievement Award in 1978.

Flame retardant clothing is a creation of the chemist, educator and inventor named Giuliana Tesoro.