Knoepfler named recipient of AATCC’s Millson Award for Invention

AATCC has named Nestor Beyer Knoepfler as the posthumous recipient of the Henry E. Millson Award for Invention for his work on developing flame–retardant treatment of cotton batting. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to textile technology. Knoepfler’s colleagues will receive the award in his name at an awards luncheon on May 19, during the Association’s 2010 International Conference at the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) in Atlanta, Ga., U.S.A.

Knoepfler worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Southern Regional Research Center (SRRC) and was head of cotton products investigations at USDA’s engineering and development laboratory. He and his colleagues developed and patented a smolder resistance treatment for cotton–containing textiles. He discovered a process that gave cotton and cotton-containing fabrics resistance to cigarette ignition, using conventional textiles and low energy equipment to save time and money.

Henry E. Millson was a noted inventor who was head of dyes research for American Cyanamid. Millson, the 1958 recipient of AATCC’s Olney Medal for outstanding achievement in textile chemistry, endowed the Millson Award in 1979 with the stipulation that he never be considered a candidate. The association promptly named the award in his honor.

SOURCE: AATCC