John Ewen

John Ewen has made a major impact in the world of plastics. His inventions, such as catalysts that allow metals to be incorporated into polyethylene and polypropylene plastics used for packaging and automotive parts, have revolutionized this sector of industry.

He is also credited with inventing oxygen-permeable bags that keep salads fresh in supermarkets, and medical IV bags that are safer than those available before his invention. His work has revolutionized the global plastics industry.

Early Life and Education

John Ewen was born in Kingston, Jamaica in 1945 and spent his youth playing sports and riding a bike. Later he relocated to Grand Forks where he worked at various jobs for various businesses.

In his free time, he enjoyed solving cryptic crosswords, creating logic puzzles and playing bridge online with top national and international players. Additionally, he was an avid New York Mets fan.

In 1984, he joined Exxon Mobile Chemical Company and began researching plastics. Through his work, they became more durable, heat-proof and tear-resistant. Through research on metallocenes he pioneered, developing “Ewen Symmetry Rules” which enabled plastics to be designed for many different applications.

Professional Career

John Ewen enjoyed a distinguished career as an accomplished professional chemist. His groundbreaking research on metallocene-based polyethylene and polypropylene made significant advancements in plastics technology.

Throughout his career, he was awarded numerous patents for his groundbreaking work. Despite legal battles that ensued over these patents, he persisted in pursuit of perfection and created even more groundbreaking inventions.

He also spearheaded a program called Community Industry, which provided job opportunities for young unemployed individuals. He remained actively involved in this organization until his retirement.

Achievements and Honors

John Ewen has been a pioneering figure in the fields of alchemy, catalyst chemistry and industrial research chemistry. His innovations and discoveries in metallocene catalysis have had significant effects on plastics production worldwide.

He has received numerous awards and honors for his accomplishments in chemistry, science and engineering. One of his highlights was being awarded with the National Medal of Technology in 2001 – which is considered to be the highest accolade given to American inventors.

In 2015, he was inducted into Munro College Old Boys Association Hall of Fame for his achievements and honors related to his work as an industrial research chemist and inventions and discoveries in polyethylene plastics.

Personal Life

John Ewen’s life was made richer by his friendships with numerous artists. He was especially inspired by his chemistry teacher Steven Harle (1897-1979) and landscape painter Goodridge Roberts (1904-1974).

His artistic career was further supported by his wife Francoise Sullivan (b. 1923).

She was a member of the Automatistes, an avant-garde group that emerged in Quebec during the 1940s. Their philosophy advocated using subconsciousness as an agent of liberation from Roman Catholic church and traditionalist conservative politics.

Ewen faced many personal hardships throughout his life, despite his success. He battled depression and anxiety as well as a troubled marriage. Ultimately, Ewen found solace through painting; his iconic landscape paintings of Canada have become iconic landmarks.

Net Worth

Ewen is a British actor with an estimated net worth of $5 million. He has starred in multiple films such as Trainspotting, Pearl Harbor and Black Hawk Down.

He has extensive experience as a television director, producer and editor. Additionally, he is actively engaged in several philanthropic endeavors.

His research has made plastics more durable, heat-proof, tear-resistant and transparent. Furthermore, he developed a bag that allows oxygen to pass through it so salads can remain fresh without refrigeration.

John Alexander Ewen was born in Kingston, Jamaica in 1945 into a family that was at the forefront of tourism for their hotel business. As such, he attended high school there before embarking on his educational pursuits.