“I felt so happy and light-headed when I made my discovery.”
Ergün Kırlıkovalı is a polymer scientist, inventor, and entrepreneur specializing in advanced polymer materials and aerospace technologies. He is widely recognized for his contributions to radar-absorbing materials.
How did you decide to become an entrepreneur?
I have always been involved in entrepreneurial endeavors to earn pocket money, like most kids in my neighborhood. Later, the RC culture of exploration, coupled with the adrenaline of competing to be the best you can be, was instrumental in shaping me. If there is any success, I owe it to my high-achieving RC teachers and schoolmates. The breaking point came in 1985 in the US, when my boss asked me which airplane jet he should buy. I quit my job, called my wife Juliana to tell her to sell our house, and follow me. Within 3 days, our new company was up and running.
What did it feel like when you made your discovery in radar-absorbing materials?
I felt so happy and lightheaded. I remember showing Juliana the 5 formulations on page 79 of my lab book and saying, “I can guarantee one of them will hit the bull’s-eye.” And sure enough, 79-4 did!
What are your recommendations to future entrepreneurs?
You need the right idea, appropriate education, reasonable experience, and at least modest resources. We sold our home and invested every penny in our business. If it failed, we would have to start over from scratch. Are you prepared to endure blows like that? If so, go ahead!
What was it like to visit the campus last November?
I tried hard to hide the tears in my eyes The memories of 60 years ago suddenly came back and crushed me under their weight.
