look what we did!Innovations From Polyurethane Manufacturers

The Polyurethane Story Behind Wisconsin’s Famed Foam Cheeseheads®

In 1987, Ralph Bruno hacked into the upholstery of his mother’s couch cushion. From the torn fabric, he pulled out the foam insert, sculpting it using a turkey carving knife into the shape of a triangular cheese wedge. He then added an inverted dome on the bottom of his creation so that it would fit atop his head. Later, he put holes in the foam to make the wedge vaguely resemble Swiss cheese and painted the entire thing a yellow-orange hue — like American cheese. 

The Reception

Bruno proudly wore his homemade headwear to a Milwaukee baseball game in response...

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The Polyurethane History of Snowboard Design

Frequent readers of this blog know that polyurethane is an integral part of helping surfers carve up waves. But, did you know that polyurethane is also pivotal in helping riders carve up mountains as well? Over the course of the past few decades, snowboarding has been one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. The winter pastime that allows athletes to ride down mountains like the face of a wave owes its meteoric rise thanks at least in part to polyurethane.

The Snurfer

The history of snowboarding dates back to about 1965 when an enterprising ski enthusiast and engineer named...

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Polyurethane Stories That Made Headlines in 2019

Polyurethane Modular Homes

At the beginning of the Atlantic hurricane season, Astrid Diaz, a Puerto Rico-based architect, announced her plans for a new polyurethane-based modular home. Her designs consist of polyurethane foam walls and a roof, reinforced with a steel frame, then covered with mortar. The homes — which can withstand winds of up to 184 miles per hour — blend in well with the existing architecture of similar structures that populate the island where there was a need for an estimated 75,000 homes in the wake of Hurricane Maria.

In spring,...

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2019 Polyurethane Innovation Award Honors Carbon’s New Football Helmet Technology

Polyurethane was first introduced in the 1930s. Since that time, it has gone on to impact and improve daily life for much of the world. Today, the bounds of polyurethane innovation continue to be pushed ever forward, thanks to the men and women working to bring the world the next big polyurethane scientific breakthrough.

The Polyurethane Innovation Award 

Each year, the Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI) hosts the Polyurethane Innovation Award. The award highlights the role innovation plays in the polyurethane industry, recognizing the companies and individuals whose vision and perseverance help bring new products, technologies and initiatives to...

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Is Polyurethane Contributing to A Record Year for Home Runs?

2019 will likely go down as the Season of Smash in professional baseball. Could polyurethane be the cause?

This year, the league is on track to produce more home runs in a single season than at any other time. So, what is the culprit for this proverbial ongoing home run derby?

No Easy Answers

To the frustration of many a major-league pitcher, there seems to be no clear answer. Some speculate it could be new technology in the ball. Others say the players themselves are training harder and getting stronger and fitter. Some reason it may be a group mentality;...

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Polyurethane Advances Tennis Racket Technology

Thanks to polyurethane, and a bit of innovation, tennis racket technology is evolving to accommodate a more modern style of play.

The Problem

Many athletes on the court today favor power and spin in their tennis games. To achieve both, players must strike the ball, using the top of the racket face, rather than hitting the ball with the middle of the racket. While effective, striking the ball repeatedly in this manner can tax a player’s arm and result in fatigue or even injury.

The TPU Solution

To accommodate this aggressive style of play, the team at Dunlop mobilized to...

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To Create a Better Lacrosse Ball Researchers Look to PU

Polyurethane is changing the sport of lacrosse for the better with a new kind of game ball that resists becoming greasy and avoids hardening over time. 

The Risk

Solid rubber has long been the primary material used in the production of lacrosse balls. Over time, however, additives and oils used in traditional balls can leech out, creating a sleek exterior on the surface that make the balls slippery. These materials also sometimes harden. When this happens, the balls lose their resiliency and their bounciness.

The Answer

Recently, Guardian Sports came up with a PU solution. The equipment manufacturer is producing...

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Polyurethane Holds & the Future of Climbing

The sport of rock climbing has grown in popularity in recent years, and it is easy to see why. It can provide a great way to get into shape, and thanks to rise of indoor climbing facilities, climbers are no longer at the mercy of the elements to get in a climbing session.

Plus, the sport is highly customizable thanks to highly individualized polyurethane climbing holds. All skill levels – from weekend warriors to lifelong professional climbers – can be accommodated. 

Polyurethane Takes Hold

Polyurethane is the essential ingredient in the creation of these holds, which often are the oddly-shaped,...

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Polyurethane Skinsuits Help British Skeleton Athletes To Victory

In the world of elite women’s skeleton racing, the difference between staking a place on the podium or not, can come down to a matter of milliseconds. In a sport where fractions of time can make a huge difference, it is no wonder that athletes, trainers and coaches are constantly scouting for new ways to shave a few precious moments off run times.

Whether it is making uniforms sleeker or sleds more aerodynamic, today, there is a whole industry dedicated to the science of helping racers go faster. However, even with every team jockeying for a clear advantage, definitive improvements...

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