Ray Putnam Dinsmore (24 April 1893 – 26 October 1979[1]) was a rubber scientist, known for pioneering the use of rayon as a reinforcing material in auto tires. In 1928, Dinsmore patented the first water-emulsion synthetic rubber in the United States.[2] The material later became a staple of the rubber industry during the World War II shortage of natural rubber. Dinsmore worked for the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company and developed Chemigum, an early synthetic rubber.[3] Dinsmore hired noted rubber physicist Samuel D. Gehman, and he collaborated with Lorin Sebrell.[4] His authored a popular review on the topic of rubber chemistry for the American Chemical Society's 75th Anniversary.[5] Dinsmore served as chairman of the Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society in 1927. He received the 1947 Colwyn medal[6] and was named the 1955 Charles Goodyear Medalist.
Dinsmore was educated at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, completing a degree in chemical engineering at the age of 21.[7] He entered the rubber industry in 1914.[8] He was Vice President of Research and Development (1943-1961) and a Member of the Board of Directors (1960-1964) at the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company.
He died on October 26, 1979.