Primed for Success: The Story of Scientific Design Company

This is the remarkable story of an entrepreneurial firm that helped to create the petrochemical industry as we know it today. The author also highlights the important role chemical engineers played in developing and commercializing new technologies based on the conversion of hydrocarbons into petrochemicals, which also led to the transfer of technological dominance from Germany to the United States. These developments are illustrated by the participants’ personal histories, in the form of interviews and recorded oral histories. In addition, the book presents a highly relevant case study for engineers and managers in the chemical industry.

“More than a company history, Primed for Success is the story of the chemical industry in the United States. It is comprehensive in scope and detailed in its treatment – an essential read for anyone who studies the chemical industry or has been part of it.” (Thomas M. Connelly, Chief Executive Officer, ACS)

“Peter Spitz’ detailed and engrossing account of the rise of the petrochemical industry – which set in motion the building blocks of the modern industrial economy – captures how transformative the industry has been to not just economic development, but to so many aspects of modern life.” (Andrew N Liveris, Former Chairman and CEO, Dow Chemical)                  

“Peter Spitz is opening up a new chapter in the history of the petrochemical industry that provides a lasting platform and remembrance of the great entrepreneurs of the industry. The new book should be very valuable for the new generation of chemical engineers as they recognize the vision and creativity of many courageous scientists and engineers.” (Werner Praetorius, President Petrochemicals (ret.), BASF Group)

“Peter Spitz delivers an essential history with Primed for Success. He details the inside story of a disruptive startup that invented the breakthrough technologies that would help usher in the petrochemical age. The book’s insights on entrepreneurship, successful innovation and the risks of overreach and hubris offer enduring lessons for today’s engineers and professionals as well.” (Robert Westervelt, Editor-in-Chief, Chemical Week)

“Ralph Landau was one of the giants of the chemical engineering profession. Both experienced and early-stage chemical engineers can appreciate how Ralph created a new business model as well as learn many lessons from his technical and business leadership.” (June C. Wispelwey, Executive Director, AIChE)

 

Peter Spitz has spent his entire career in the chemical and energy industries. Holding a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from MIT, he has worked for a large oil company, for a petrochemical research and engineering company, and as a consultant to the global chemical industry. Peter has a broad background in areas ranging from R&D and process development to corporate strategy and financial analysis. He was the founder and president of a respected international consulting firm, Chem Systems Inc., which was acquired by IBM in 1998. Peter is the author of two books, “Petrochemicals. The Rise of an Industry”, and “The Chemical Industry at the Millennium”. He has written numerous articles on industry trends and is one of the founders of the Chemical Heritage Foundation in Philadelphia. He has been a keynote speaker at important industry meetings and is an early founder and overseer of the Chemical Heritage Foundation (now Science History Institute).