Leonard Mullins (1918 – 19 September 1997) was a scientist and long-time Research Director at the former
Malaysian Rubber Producers' Research Association. He is known for his work on the stress-softening behavior of rubber, a phenomenon now known widely as the
Mullins effect.
Personal
Mullins was born on 21 May 1918 and died on 19 September 1997 at the age of 79.
Leonard was the eldest of 7 children, with his brothers Eric, Kenneth, John, known as Alan, and sisters Sylvia, Muriel and Eugenie.
He married Freda Churchouse on 6 March 1943 and had 2 daughters Margaret and Janet.
Education
Mullins graduated from University College London in 1939
BSC (Hons), PhD, DSc
Career
He had originally hoped to enter academia, but
World War II
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
interrupted his plans and he ended up working in weapons research for the British government.
In 1949, he oversaw the dismantling of the
Bayer A.G. rubber labs and pilot plant at Leverkusen, Germany.
In 1950, he joined the physics group of the
British Rubber Producers' Research Association. He became deputy director of the group in 1960 and its director in 1962. He retired in 1983.
During his tenure, MRPRA's control shifted to Malaysia from Great Britain. He expanded the association's research team and laboratories.
Awards and recognitions
* 1966 -
Colwyn medal Colwyn may refer to:
Wales
* Colwyn Bay – town in north Wales
** Bay of Colwyn Town Council – town council in north Wales
* Colwyn (district) – former district and borough in north Wales
** Colwyn Borough Council – former council in north W ...
in 1956 from the former Institution of the Rubber Industry
* 1975 - honorary title
Johan Mangku Negara
The Most Esteemed Order of the Defender of the Realm () is a Malaysian federal award presented for meritorious service to the country. The Order Motto are 'Dipeliharakan Allah-Pangkuan Negara' (By the Grace of God-Defender of the Realm).
The or ...
for his work with natural rubber, bestowed by the king of Malaysia
* 1976 - CMG
* 1982 - Médaille de la ville de Paris
* 1985 - Outstanding Service Award from PRI
* 1986 -
Charles Goodyear Medal
The Charles Goodyear Medal is the highest honor conferred by the American Chemical Society#Organization, American Chemical Society, Rubber Division. Established in 1941, the award is named after Charles Goodyear, the discoverer of vulcanization, ...
from the ACS Rubber Division
* 1988 - Carl Harries, Carl-Dietrich Harries Medal from the German rubber organization Dkt
* 1988 - Eminent Citizen's Medal, Ho Chi Minh City
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mullins, Leonard
Polymer scientists and engineers
1918 births
1997 deaths