Edward R. Weidlein

Edward Ray Weidlein (July 14, 1887 – August 15, 1983) was an American chemist and later director, chairman, and president at the Mellon Institute of Industrial Research in Pittsburgh. He served as president of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers from 1927 to 1929 and the American Chemical Society in 1937. His awards included the Chemical Industry Medal in 1935, the Priestley Medal in 1948 and the AIChE Founders Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Field of Chemical Engineering in 1966. He was a member of the War Industries Board in World War I and helped develop the synthetic rubber production program for the United States in World War II.

Early life Edward Ray Weidlein He studied at the University of Kansas, earning a B.A. degree in 1909 and an M.A. degree in 1910.

During World War I, Weidlein served as a technical advisor to the chemical division of the War Industries Board. During World War II, he helped develop the American synthetic rubber production program. In 1947, he was chairman of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development. He served in the conference from 1944 to 1950. He advocated for the control of smoke emissions in the Pittsburgh area. He was buried at Ligonier Valley Cemetery. Weidlein received a second honorary Sc.D. degree from the University of Miami in 1953.

In 1935, Weidlein received the Chemical Industry Medal. He received the Priestley Medal from the American Chemical Society in 1948. In 1966, he received the AIChE Founders Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Field of Chemical Engineering.