What was Percy Lavon Julian famous for?
Percy worked with an associate of his from Vienna, Dr. Josef Pikl, on the synthesis of physostigmine, a drug which was used as a treatment for glaucoma. After the work, he became successful and was internationally “hailed” for the achievement. He was later hired at the Glidden Company as chief chemist and the Director of the Soya Product Division. This achievement helped pave the way for other African American chemists. The Glidden Company was a leading manufacturer of paint and varnish and was counting on Julian to develop compounds from soy-based products which could be used to make paints and other products. He came up with aero-foam, which worked as a flame retardant. Aero-foam was used by the Navy to save many lives of sailors during World War I. Percy continued his success as he next developed a way to inexpensively develop male and female hormones from soy beans. These hormones would help to prevent miscarriages in pregnant women and would be used to fight cancer and other ailme
