Otto Wichterle

Quick Facts

Full Name Otto Wichterle
Net Worth $1.5 Million
Date of Birth 27 October 1913
Date of Death 18 August 1998
Age 84 Years Old
Birth Place Prostějov, Czechia
Death Place Stražisko, Czechia
Profession Chemist and Soft Contact Lenses
Debut Invented the Czechoslovak Synthetic Fiber in 1941
Famous Role Inventor of Contact Lenses
Nationality Czech
Hometown Prostějov, Czechia
Zodiac Sign Scorpio
School/High School Wolverines Grammer School, Prostejov
College/University Czech Technical University, Prague, Czechia
Education Qualification Chemical and Technological
Doctorate in Organic Chemistry

Otto Wichterle was Czech chemist and best known for his invention of modern soft contact lenses. He is a formidable figure in the world of science, and he has over 180 patents and 200 publications to his name.

How much was the Net worth of Otto Wichterle?

As of 1998, Wichterle’s net worth is $1.5 million. Otto Wichterle was a Czech Republic chemist who is best known for the invention of modern soft contact lenses.

Google Doodle honours Otto Wichterle, the Czech chemist who invented soft  contact lens | World News | Zee News
Otto Wichterle Net Worth 2022 Via Zee News

Early Years and Bio

Otto Wichterle, who was born on October 27, 1913, was 84 years old when he passed away on August 18, 1998. He was born in Prostjov, Czech Republic, and passed away in Straisko, Czech Republic. His zodiac sign was Scorpio, and he was of Czech descent.

He attended a Czech Technical University in Prague after finishing his education at the Wolverines Grammar School in Prostejov. He had graduated from the university in 1936 after majoring in chemical and technological studies.

What was the Professional Career of Otto Wichterle?

Famous Czech chemist Otto Wichterle was also an inventor, scientist, writer, and author. Karel Wichterle, an engineer, was his father and he was born in Prostejov, Olomouc, Czech Republic. The contemporary soft contact lenses were created by him. He attended Worker Grammar School in Prostejov, Czech Republic, for his education. He graduated from the Prague Institute of Chemical Technology with a doctorate in organic chemistry in 1936. (ICT).

Chemist Wichterle “wasn't bitter” over not profiting from invention of  contact lens | Radio Prague International
Otto Wichterle, a czech chemist. Via Radio Prague International

The Czechoslovak Synthetic Fiber was created in 1941. He created an absorbent, translucent gel for ocular implants in the 1950s. He was expelled from the ICT as a result of political unrest. At home, he continued to work on perfecting his hydrogel creation. manufactured the first soft contact lenses in 1961. A child’s erector set, a bicycle light battery, a phonograph motor, and homemade glass tubing and molds were used in his DIY construction of the device.

He was appointed President of the Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences until Czechoslovakia’s breakup. Additionally, he served as the honorary president of the Czech Republic Academy of Sciences. He continues to be a member of various international research academies. The character received numerous honorary doctorates and awards from various universities.

Awards

Otto Wichterle had a significant influence on academia and creativity, and the Czech Republic has established an award program in his honor. The Otto Wichterle Award is a distinction presented by the Czech Academy of Sciences to inspire and support exceptional and promising students.

Google honors Czech chemist Otto Wichterle who invented soft contact lens  with doodle - Tech
Google honors Czech chemist Otto Wichterle who invented soft contact lens with doodle. Via Tech

Death

He passed away in the Czech Republic’s Strazisko village, Prostejov, in the Olomouc region at the age of 84. On the occasion of his 108th birthday, Google will celebrate him with a Google Doodle on his home page.

Family, Wife & Relationships

Karel Wichterle, his engineer father, and Mrs. Otto, a stay-at-home mother, were the parents of Otto Wichterle. His sister, a sculptor named Hana Wichterlová, was one of his siblings. Married was Otto Wichterle’s marital status. Linda Wichterlova was the name of his wife. They first met in Strazisko, and Linda still stops by. still the location for summers. Two kids were born to the couple. His first son, Kamil Wichterle, is a chemist, while his second son, Ivan Wichterle, is a writer.

Otto Wichterle | Trivia and Facts

  • Google honored him with a Google Doodle on his 108th birth anniversary dated 27-10-2021 (Wednesday).
  • He was one of the great inventors of countless patents and a lifelong researcher.
  • In 1993, was also elected the first President of the Academy of the Czech Republic following the country’s establishment.
  • In 1957 and 1965 took part in the preparations for its Prague symposia
  • He also laid the foundation for state-of-the-art medical technologies. It includes “smart” biomaterials, used to restore human connective tissues and bio-recognizable polymers.
  • He is the author or co-author of about 180 patents and over 200 publications.

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