AREA BUSINESS NOTEBOOK: Carlson earns another honor

A Red Wing Wall of Honor member has added a prestigious business honor to his resume.

D. Peter Carlson, a retired research fellow who worked 38 years at DuPont Co., has received the 2008 Lavoisier Medal, which is the Fortune 500 company's highest honor for technical achievement. The award recognizes those whose outstanding contributions lead to significant business impact and have scientific value.

Carlson worked in polymers. His inventions, according to the company, included DuPontTefzel ETFE, which insulates wires on airplanes. A typical commercial airliner has about 140 miles of insulated wiring.

People may not realize some of Carlson's other contributions, but likely encounter these plastics and proteins daily. For instance, he developed the coating for cables that carry computer and TV lines throughout office buildings. He also helped to developed a polymer used in automobiles for fuel system seals and hoses, O-rings, shaft seals and gaskets.

"Pete Carlson's innovations are products that make the world a safer place," said Uma Chowdhry, DuPont senior vice president and chief science technology officer. "Over the years he made use of his broad understanding to anticipate what products were needed and then went about inventing solutions."

Carlson is a native of Red Wing. He graduated in 1949 from Central High School and inducted into its Wall of Honor in 1997.

• The Red Wing Chamber of Commerce's next Chamber Forum Live is 5:30 p.m. Jan. 6 in the St. James Hotel.

Dave Murphy, president of Red Wing Shoe Co., will be the host. He will discuss the footwear business and the Shoe's new company store.

The event is designed to allow local business owners to discuss and ask questions privately about issues that are affectings their businesses.

The cost is $20.

• The chamber will hold its next Coffee & Conversation" Jan. 9 at Culver's in Red Wing.

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