Irwin Lachman

Irwin Morris Lachman (August 2, 1930 – April 18, 2025) was an American engineer and a co-inventor of the catalytic converter.

Background Lachman was born on August 2, 1930, in Brooklyn, New York, and later moved to and grew up in Jersey Homesteads, New Jersey (later Roosevelt). He attended Upper Freehold Township High School (later renamed Allentown High School), received a B.S. in ceramic engineering from Rutgers University in 1952, and then a M.S. and a Ph.D. in ceramic engineering while at Ohio State University in 1953 and 1955.

Lachman died in Williamstown, Massachusetts on April 18, 2025, at the age of 94.

Work President George W. Bush awards the 2003 National Medal of Technology award to Corning Inc., scientists Ronald M. Lewis, left, Irwin Lachman, center, and Rodney D. Bagley At Corning Glass Works, Lachman was a member of the team that invented the first inexpensive, mass-producible catalytic converter for automobiles operating internal combustion engines. In addition to Irwin Lachman, the team consisted of engineer Rodney Bagley and geologist Ronald Lewis. and received the 2003 National Medal of Technology at a White House ceremony. The team also won the International Ceramics Prize of the Academy for the Advanced Ceramics industry in 1996. Lachman held 47 U.S. patents, and has authored numerous technical papers.