Jewish Invention Myths: Scotchguard
Let’s do another jewish invention myth. In this case let’s take the assertion that jews invented the popular stain and water repellent applied to fabric, furniture, and carpets that is sold under the brand name of ‘Scotchguard’.
This myth enjoys a wide currency with multiple citations of it by Karthryn Bernheimer at ‘Boulder Jewish News’, (1) at the ‘Jewish Standard’ (part of the ‘Times of Israel’ group) (2) and other more obscure websites. (3)
The only detail we have regarding this claim is the idea that Samuel Smith invented ‘Scotchguard’ and that he was allegedly jewish. (4)
Now while Samuel Smith did invent ‘Scotchguard’ in 1952 while working as a chemist at 3M; he did so with Patsy Sherman. (5) Both their names are listed as its creators on the later US patent that was applied for in January 1968 and granted in April 1971. (6)
We know Patsy Sherman wasn’t jewish (7) and there is no evidence that I can find that Samuel Smith was jewish either other than the fact that he was from New York. It is possible that Smith was jewish but as no one has provided evidence that he was, and I can’t find any then I am forced to conclude that this is not so.
If some did manage to find evidence of this however it still wouldn’t change the fact that Smith is only a co-inventor not the inventor of ‘Scotchguard’ despite the apparent attempt to write Sherman out of history by some jews. So thus jews would only share co-credit with non-jewish Americans for the invention of ‘Scotchguard’ if they could somehow provide evidence that Samuel Smith was jewish (which they haven’t done).
References
(1) https://boulderjewishnews.org/2009/an-informal-list-of-jewish-inventions-innovations-and-radical-ideas/
(2) https://jewishstandard.timesofisrael.com/when-is-a-jew-not-a-jew/
(3) https://christianislamicforum.wordpress.com/dedicated-to-our-jewish-brethren/
(4) Ibid.
(5) https://stainprotect.ca/scotchgard-vs-scotchguarding/
(6) https://patents.google.com/patent/US3574791
(7) https://www.startribune.com/patsy-sherman-co-invented-scotchgard/15596637/