The Dow Chemical Company is renowned for its innovative ideas and breakthrough inventions. One of the key contributors to Dow's success was John J. Grebe, who led the Physics Lab and fostered a culture of idea generation and collaboration. Under his leadership, employees were given the freedom to spend 10 percent of their time on projects or ideas they preferred, leading to groundbreaking innovations such as the SARAN™ resin and Saran Wrap™ plastic wrap family of products.

The Dow Chemical Company is renowned for its innovative ideas and breakthrough inventions. One of the key contributors to Dow's success was John J. Grebe, who led the Physics Lab and fostered a culture of idea generation and collaboration. Under his leadership, employees were given the freedom to spend 10 percent of their time on projects or ideas they preferred, leading to groundbreaking innovations such as the SARAN™ resin and Saran Wrap™ plastic wrap family of products.

John believed that ideas have a way of cropping up suddenly but never unexpectedly. They rarely arrive until you are thoroughly prepared to receive them. This notion highlights the importance of being open-minded and continuously exploring and testing different concepts. Ideas often come when you have become prepared and strong enough to grasp them, even if it means waiting patiently for their arrival.

Herbert Henry Dow, the founder of Dow, recognized John's talent and gave him the freedom to innovate from the beginning. Instead of assigning projects to John, Herbert asked him what he would like to do. This approach allowed John to pursue his own ideas and make significant contributions to Dow's success. John's work in converting batch processes to continuous ones helped establish Dow as a leader in automated chemical production.

John's laboratory was unlike any other at Dow. He promoted a multidisciplinary approach, bringing together specialists from different fields to work together. He also implemented the use of "idea cards" to promote open discussion and awareness of ongoing research. Anyone with an idea had to write it down on a card, sign and date it, and pin it to the bulletin board for further discussion. John believed in the power of collaboration and the value of talking over a project with others to enhance its value and progress more swiftly.

During the depths of the Great Depression, when many other chemical companies were cutting back on research, Dow continued to invest in R&D. This allowed John to staff his Physics Lab with the best and brightest from top universities. The 20 years under John's leadership were known as a "creative explosion" for Dow. The lab produced breakthrough inventions such as Styron™ polystyrene resins, which became Dow's number-one selling item for 50 years and opened the door to the age of plastics. Other notable inventions include STYROFOAM™ brand extruded polystyrene, DOWTHERM™ heat transfer fluids, waste disposal bacteria, and the process of extracting bromine and magnesium from seawater.

Today, Dow's growth continues to be fueled by the innovative ideas of its scientists. With over 7,000 men and women scientists working on various projects, Dow is working towards developing solutions to complex global challenges. From affordable, energy-efficient buildings to more abundant and safer food, Dow's researchers are constantly thinking differently and tapping into their innate curiosity and creativity.

In conclusion, the success of Dow Chemical Company can be attributed to its culture of innovation and idea generation. John J. Grebe played a significant role in fostering this culture during his time as the leader of the Physics Lab. By giving employees the freedom to pursue their own ideas and promoting collaboration and open dialogue, Dow was able to achieve groundbreaking innovations. The company's commitment to innovation continues to drive its growth and contribute to a better tomorrow.

Actionable Advice:

• 1. Foster a culture of idea generation and collaboration in your organization. Give employees the freedom to pursue their own ideas and encourage open discussion and sharing of ideas.

• 2. Be patient and prepared for ideas to come. Explore, test, and study different concepts, and be open-minded to new possibilities. Sometimes, ideas arrive when you are ready to receive them.

• 3. Continuously invest in research and development, even during challenging times. The investment in R&D can lead to breakthrough innovations and set your organization apart from the competition.