Ellis, Carleton

Ellis, Carleton

(1876–1941) chemist, inventor; born in Keene, N.H. He cofounded Ellis-Foster Company (1907) in New Jersey and Florida to carry on petrochemical research and he invented important methods of cracking crude oil (1919–30) as well as methods for synthesizing isopropyl alcohol and acetone. He invented lacquers for automobile paints and developed processes for applying plastics. In all, he was granted 753 U.S. patents. He was also an early proponent of hydroponic plant growth (1938).