Polymer chemistry is the field of study concerned with the production, classification, and modification of macromolecules or polymers. Polymers are produced by a polymerization reaction of simpler units called monomers. While polymers have been utilized for centuries, it was not until the twentieth century that their chemistry was understood. Many of the organic materials on Earth are polymers. These include natural materials like nucleic acids, protein, rubber, and cotton, as well as synthetic materials like nylon, polyester and polyvinyl chloride.

Polymers have been used by humans for centuries. However, the field of polymer chemistry has been around only since the 1800s. The first experiments in the development of this branch of chemistry were performed by technologists who attempted to convert natural polymers into more useful derivatives. In 1839, Charles Goodyear produced the first significant development when he created a process for making cross-linked, or vulcanized, rubber. This...