Ri Sung Gi - Vinalon Inventor

[GabrielMk3]

Ri Sung Gi finally succeeded in Juche 28 (1939) in creating the synthetic fibre named vinalon (this first type with Japanese scientist Ichiro Sakurada, and H. Kawakami by his side), which consists of polyvinyl alcohol, and the DPRK started mass-producing this fibre, basing almost all clothing on it.
But other fibres such as nylon and cotton is still being produced, just in small matters though.

Vinalon is actually resistant to chemicals and heat.

Many states that Ri Sung Gi was from Japan, but he lived and studied in Japan during the Japanese rule of Korea, because they had the best schools at the time.
He came back to south Korea after the liberation, and went over to the North during the war.

Thanks to the deep care of President Kim Il Sung, Ri could continue the researches on how to improve the material, even during the war, until a major vinalon industry was raised.

He continued perfecting the material during the time when it was produced, improving quality, and under-categories as for example movilon.

He wrote many books, and became an academician, doctor and professor, learning other people about science.

Because of all this, and his dedication to science and improving the DPRK as much as he possibly could, he was awarded the title Hero of Labour, and many other awards and titles.

[CtahhR]

Yet another Japanese innovation! Co-invented by Sakurada and Kawakami.

Also difficult to produce in the DPRK in 1939.

Vinylon is very similar to other synthetic fibres in its use in clothing and from experience I can honestly say I'd take the cotton over the plastics any day.

This is fantastic photograph of a non-military professional with a nice group of higher end awards.

Keep them coming!

[GabrielMk3]

I don't think the DPRK started producing it properly before the complex in Hamhung was built in... 1960-62 something. Trials started during, or right after the war. Yes, Sakurada and Kawakami co-operated in Japan, but I am not sure how much the DPRKian Juche Fibre is alike the results that they came up with in 1939.

My contact in the DPRK gave me this picture not too long ago, so it should be all over KCNA, Rodong Sinmun etc in a week or so, just a bit modified.

Oh, and I believe he was awarded the Lenin Prize, as many has said. But it's a bit difficult to register so from the image.

[Esteban_cool]

There´s no doubt that the Juche Vinalon developed and mass-produced by the brave Chosun working class under the wise leadership of Great Leader is of much higher quality than the pitiful one produced by those American imperialism puppets from Japan. And this is as true as the fact that the Great Leader started walking at the age of 6 months, invented the instant powder water and knew the last number of Pi. You guys should not dispute this and falsely attribute the invention of such fine product to two Japanese. Geez!

[GabrielMk3]

Well. We've never tried to do such.

When I wrote that Ri succeeded in making the vinalon prototype in 1939 doesn't mean that he did it alone, nor that did it with anyone.

Anyhow, the material evolved into movilon and other types of a polyvinyl substances with numerous other chemical compositions.

[CtahhR]

I believe it is used in the U.S.A. as cheese in mass produced Cheese Burgers after being coloured yellow/orange.

[Esteban_cool]

Well. We've never tried to do such.

When I wrote that Ri succeeded in making the vinalon prototype in 1939 doesn't mean that he did it alone, nor that did it with anyone.

I was just kidding with my propaganda-like speech. :D

[GabrielMk3]

And so were I :D