Stanley Donald Stookey retired from Corning Incorporated in 1987 as Director of Fundamental Chemical Research after 47 years as a glass research chemist.
After receiving his bachelor’s degree in chemistry and mathematics from Coe College in 1936, S. Donald Stookey went on to earn a M.Sc. from Lafayette College and a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In 1940, he took a position at Corning Glass Works, where he remained for 47 years. His name appeared on over 60 patents but his best known discovery led to the creation of CorningWare®.
In 1986, Stookey was presented with the Medal of Technology by President Ronald Reagan for his invention of glass-ceramics, photosensitive glass and photochromic glass.