Over the years, DuPont™ Kevlar® has evolved from an experiment in a DuPont research laboratory into the life-protection material of choice for U.S. military and law enforcement personnel. Body armor, helmets and vehicular armor made with Kevlar® brand fiber helped protect law enforcement officers and military personnel serving in Somalia and Bosnia, and continue to help protect personnel serving in Afghanistan and Iraq against fatalities and life-threatening injuries.
1965 Stephanie Kwolek, a DuPont research scientist, develops Kevlar® by spinning fiber from liquid crystalline solutions.
1970 DuPont research scientist Herb Blades develops the revolutionary air gap spinning process, which enables large-scale production of Kevlar® brand fiber.
1971 DuPont begins producing Kevlar® in large quantities in Richmond, VA.
1975 First field trial of body armor made with DuPont™ Kevlar® conducted with police officers and sponsored by the National Institute of Justice.
1975 First officer inducted into the IACP/DuPont™ Kevlar Survivors' Club®
1978 DuPont™ Kevlar® adopted by the U.S. Army for use in flak jackets and PASGT helmets .
1981 The U.S. Military specifies that protective apparel be worn by its personnel; most of this protective apparel contains Kevlar®.
1982 The U.S. Military makes its first major purchase of the PASGT Vest , which provides extraordinary protection against fragments.
1985 The U.S. Military purchases the PASGT Helmet , at the time the best armor available for protection against fragmentation, heat and flame.
1987 The U.S. Military places a major order for the CVC Vest because it offers superior ballistic protection from spall and fragmentation and does not melt or support combustion in air.
1988 The U.S. Military purchases a large number of CVC Helmets .
1991 In the Gulf War, most U.S. combat soldiers wore a helmet made of DuPont™ Kevlar®. The PASGT Vests worn by the military played a critical role in reducing the number of casualties during Desert Storm.
1993 Fragmentation- and bullet- resistant Ranger Vests help save the lives of military personnel stationed in Somalia.
1994 Countermine and Bomb Suits containing fabric made with DuPont™ Kevlar® help protect U.S. Army personnel serving in Somalia and Bosnia.
1995 DuPont™ Kevlar® Correctional™ introduced – first 100% soft woven fabric for stab protection in corrections institutions.
1997 The U.S. military makes its first major purchase of the Advanced CVC Helmet which in provides both bump and fragmentation protection. First commercial adoption of DuPont™ Kevlar® Correctional™ by New Jersey Correctional Institution.
1998 The U.S. military makes its first major purchase of the Interceptor Vest . Even in extreme environmental conditions, this vest provides exceptional protection against a range of fragments and handgun bullets.
1999 The U.S. Navy purchases the Navy Flak Vest, designed to help protect personnel above deck against flame and fragmentation.
2000 The U.S. military makes its first major purchase of the MICH Helmet, which helps protect special operations personnel who must wear extensive communications equipment.
2002 Interceptor Body Armor , also known as the Outer Tactical Vest, is credited with holding down casualties in Afghanistan.
2004 Interceptor II Outer Tactical Vest developed for lighter weight protection in Iraq.
2005 New Advanced Combat Helmet made with Kevlar® begins procurement. DuPont™ Kevlar® Comfort XLT™ vest technology adopted by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.
2006 Officer Cory Grogan inducted into the IACP/DuPont™ Kevlar Survivors' Club® as the 3000th save.
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