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Digital Collections

Photographs, Negatives (Photographs)

Child posed with block of Styrofoam

  • 1946

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General view of a young boy posed holding a block of Styrofoam over his head to demonstrate the product's buoyant and lightweight properties.

Invented in 1941 by researchers in Dow's Chemical Physics Lab, "Styrofoam" properly refers to the Dow Chemical Company’s trademarked brand of closed-cell extruded polystyrene foam commonly used for thermal insulation and craft applications.

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  • 4 in. H x 5 in. W
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Rights No Known Copyright
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  • Courtesy of Science History Institute

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  • Box 4, Folder Products--Styrofoam

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Cite as

Dow Chemical Company. “Child Posed with Block of Styrofoam,” 1946. Dow Chemical Company Historical Image Collection, Box 4, Folder Products--Styrofoam. Science History Institute. Philadelphia. https://digital.sciencehistory.org/works/70795819f.

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The Science History Institute recognizes there are materials in our collections that may be offensive or harmful, containing racist, sexist, Eurocentric, ableist, or homophobic language or depictions. The history of science is not exempt from beliefs or practices harmful to traditionally marginalized groups. The Institute is engaged in ongoing efforts to responsibly present and address the evidence of oppression and injustice inextricable from the history of science. If you would like to learn more about our ongoing efforts or if you encounter harmful, inaccurate, or insufficient descriptions, please contact us at digital@sciencehistory.org.