Hermann Staudinger (scientist)

Hermann Staudinger was a German chemist renowned for discovering and developing the concept of macromolecules—large molecules that form the basis of plastics, rubber, and biological substances like proteins and DNA. His research challenged the previously held belief that such large molecules were simply aggregates of smaller ones, showing instead that they are long chains of repeating units called polymers. This breakthrough laid the foundation for modern polymer chemistry and had a profound impact on materials science and medicine. Staudinger’s work earned him the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1953, recognizing his pivotal role in understanding the structure and behavior of large molecules.