The company was already using polytetraflouroethylene - the same material as Telfon, invented by Dupont - but Bob Gore was researching new types of industrial tape when he found out that PTFE could be stretched, so it became porous.
He tried a number of different versions of the stretched material until finding one that made a microporous structure, which was 70% air but had 'holes' that were smaller than water droplets at room temperature. It became called expanded or ePTFE. It led to its use in raincoats that are waterproof but breathable, and the product is now widely used in shoes and other clothing.
Bob Gore succeeded his father as the company's president and CEO in 1976, remaining president for almost 25 years and company chairman for 30 years.Current CEO Jason Field said:"Bob Gore appreciated that innovation can arise from many different places if entrepreneurial spirit is encouraged and fostered.
"Innovation as activity, doing things with your hands, experimenting, testing and observing, was instilled in our enterprise consistently and productively throughout Bob's tenure as both president and chairman."He died on Thursday at a family home in Maryland following a prolonged illness.
Expired ... Just like his fabric.
IJasonAlexander don’t tell George!