Unveiling the innovation in outerwear: How Gore-Tex revolutionized staying dry for Americans

Gore-Tex is a waterproof, lightweight, and breathable fabric that was invented in 1969 by Bob Gore. The invention revolutionized outdoor gear and changed the way Americans engage with nature.

The Gore family and history of PTFE products

Bob Gore came from a family of outdoor enthusiasts. His father, Bill Gore, was a chemical engineer, and both of his parents encouraged making supplies themselves if they could not afford them. When Bob was 11 years old, he took a homemade backpack with him to camp as well as a sleeping bag that was designed by his father and sewn by his mother.

Bill, Bob’s father, worked for DuPont’s plastic division, where he experimented with the polymer polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), more commonly known as Teflon - the coating DuPont uses for its nonstick cookware. His love for the outdoors brought him to use some of the materials he experimented at work, for experiments at home on camping materials. That’s how he realized that PTFE could be used for much more than just cooking materials.

A failed experiment with a transparent, moisture-absorbing tent inspired future innovation in breathable materials. In 1957, Bill decided to leave DuPont and start his own company, W. L. Gore & Associates. In 1963, his son Bob joined the company and they focused on finding new uses for PTFE. In 1969, Bob accidentally discovered that stretching the material produced expanded PTFE (ePTFE) - a material that was porous, yet waterproof.

This material would eventually be used to create Gore-Tex fabric, ideal for outdoor gear like tents, sleeping bags, and jackets. It wasn’t perfect at first. The products had negative reviews and some significant flaws. But the company continued to make improvements to the products as well as to their marketing efforts.

By the 1980s, Gore-Tex had grown to become synonymous with high-performance outdoor gear, expanding its use in everyday fashion as well. The Gore company’s focus on durability and comfort helped solidify the material as a standard in outdoor recreation.

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