Here's a timeline of a few of the scientific breakthroughs made at the DuPont Experimental Station in Wilmington, Delaware, in the last century:

History Timeline: 1903 | 1911 | 1920s | 1930s | 1940s | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s |

1903:

The DuPont Experimental Station opens. It is one of the first industrial research and development facilities in the United States. Its initial objectives are to research cellulose chemistry to improve explosives and explore new areas of science.

1911: 

The Chemical Department – forerunner of today's globally recognized DuPont Central Research & Development – is organized as a separate unit and work begins on ammonia synthesis.

1920s:

A formal program of basic research in physical and organic chemistry, physics and chemical engineering starts. DuPont scientist William Hale Charch develops a method for moisture-proofing cellophane. DuPont revolutionizes vehicle manufacturing in 1924 with fast-drying Duco nitrocellulose lacquer, the first sprayable automotive topcoat.

1930s:Nylon – the world's first synthetic fiber – and neoprene – the world's first synthetic rubber – is invented and developed. DuPont™ Butacite® polyvinyl butyral and Lucite® acrylic resins are introduced.

1940s:DuPont research scientists advance the synthesis and polymerization needed to commercialize Teflon®.

1950s: A major round of construction expands the facilities at the Experimental Station to host new research initiatives. Tyvek® nonwovens, Mylar® polyester film, Hypalon® synthetic rubber and Dacron® polyester are developed.

1960s:Lycra® spandex fiber, Nomex® fiber, Tyvek® protective material, Riston® dry film resist and plastic fiber optics are developed.

1970s:Kevlar® fiber, chromium dioxide magnetic particles for use in video and audio tapes, and innovative procedures for the "aca" discrete clinical analyzer – which enables medical professional to analyze bodily fluids quickly and accurately – are developed. Corian® surfaces make their debut.

1980s:Nearly 400,000 square feet of new laboratories are added to the Experimental Station to house biology-oriented research. DuPont scientist Charles Pedersen wins the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the discovery of crown ethers. Glean® is the first sulfonylurea herbicide.

1990s:DuPont™ Suva® refrigerants, Cozaar® antihypertensive and BAX® food safety systems are developed.

2000s:Sorona® 3GT bio-based material, flat panel display technologies, fuel cell technology and nanotechnology application developments are areas of focus.