Herman S. Bloch
Herman Samuel Bloch (June 15, 1912 – June 16, 1990) was an American chemist and an inventor. Bloch invented the catalytic converter, a device that removes pollutants from automobile exhaust fumes.[1] Bloch held more than 270 patents.[2] He was the deputy director of research of AlliedSignal Inc, and chairman of the Cook County Housing Authority.[3] He received the Chemical Pioneer Award in 1989 from the American Institute of Chemists.[4] He received the Ernest J. Houdry Award in Applied Catalysis,[2] the E. V. Murphree Award in Industrial and Engineering Chemistry in 1974,[2] and the Richard J. Kokes Memorial Award and Lectureship from Johns Hopkins University in 1971.[5] Bloch was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 1975.[2]
Career
Bloch was born in Chicago, Illinois. His parents were Ukrainian immigrants Aaron and Esther Bloch.[2] He received his B.A. and Ph.D. in organic chemistry in 1936 from the University of Chicago.