The Loudon, Tenn.-based Polyurethane Foam Association inducted Charles Morgan and the late Graham Walmsley into the Flexible Polyurethane Foam Hall of Fame during its annual meeting in May.
Morgan was honored for his role as an innovator and polymer chemist who invented a number of foam formulations and processes. He also was recognized as being among the first to develop a national distribution network to serve customers. Morgan spent his long career at a succession of polyurethane foam companies, including Nopco and United Foam, where he rose to president and chief operating officer. While at United Foam, he invented the Morgan waveless waterbed. In 1990, Morgan founded Southwest Carpet Pad, where he patented new polyurethane foam chemistries. He later sold the company to Leggett & Platt, remaining as a consultant to L&P for nine years.
Walmsley, who died in 1998, was recognized for his role in solving foam production problems with patented inventions and innovations. He began his career in his hometown of Glossop, England, as a lab chemist for a rubber products company. He worked for a number of polyurethane foam companies, rising to the post of technical director at Kay Metzeler Ltd., before moving to North Carolina in 1970 to work for Reeves Bros. While there, he developed slabstock polyester machinery and became vice president and technical director. In 1978, he founded Periphlex USA Ltd. and developed and licensed Varimax slabstock production equipment. His work with Varimax equipment led to employment at HSM (formerly Hickory Springs Mfg. Co.), where he was technical director. While with HSM, Walmsley introduced poly-isocyanate poly-addition technology to the United States, which opened the door to lower density, high resilience foam production.
The Flexible Polyurethane Foam Hall of Fame recognizes individuals and companies that have significantly contributed to the growth and betterment of the flexible polyurethane foam industry in North America.