| (1913
- 2005) |
| Inducted: |
2003 |
| Region: |
U.S. |
| Industry: |
Manufacturing
|
|
In 1958 Bill Gore left the security of his career with DuPont to launch a business with his wife, Vieve, from the basement of their home. Within 11 years, W. L. Gore & Associates had become an international presence, with manufacturing facilities in Scotland and Germany and a joint venture in Japan.
The discovery of the versatile GORE-TEX® material in 1969 fundamentally altered the course of the company, expanding its offerings from wire and cable to include medical implants, filtration devices, sealants and GORE-TEX® fabric. The Gores’ business success rested equally on technical innovation and a unique corporate culture that is perhaps as well known as the company’s products. Today the company posts annual sales of more than $1 billion. |
