P000253 revised AU-VU:EOAS Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation

All key entry types: Awards; Concepts; Corporate Bodies (Organisations); Cultural Artefacts; People; etc

These key entries are listed separately below with other indexes and lists.

 English AACR2 Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules Person created 1993-10-20 human Gavan McCarthy [P004098] and Helen Cohn updated 2026-04-22 human https://www.eoas.info/biogs/P000253b.htm person Solomon David Henry AC FAA FTSE FRACI FRS AACR2 19 November 1929 Place of Birth Adelaide, South Australia, Australia Chemist Science administrator David Solomon became the Masson Professor of Chemistry, University of Melbourne in 1990. Earlier he had been Chief of the Division of Chemicals and Polymers, CSIRO. Solomon is best known as the inventor of surface coatings, polymer mineral composites and plastic laminates for banknotes. His research led to forgery-proof banknotes in circulation today. In 2019 David and Valerie Solomon donated funds to the Australian Academy of Technological Science and Technology to establish a mid-career Award in their names, for a science or technology graduate who "demonstrates substantial ability to foster research-industry collaboration and knowledge transfer for the benefit of Australia".

Solomon was awarded the following CSIRO medals:

1987 - CSIRO Medal for Research Achievement (with colleagues, CSIRO Chemicals and Polymers, and Don Addison, Reserve Bank of Australia), for their joint invention of high security polymer banknotes;

1990 - CSIRO Medal for research Achievement (with Ezio Rizzardo and the Specialty Poylmers Group) for developing innovative methods of preparing polymeric materials:

2009 - CSIRO Medal for Lifetime Achievement.

1946 1953 Career position - Researcher at Balm Paints (later Dulux Australia Ltd) in Sydney 1950 1950 Education - Associate Diploma of Chemistry, Sydney Technical College 1952 1952 Education - Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons)), New South Wales University of Technology 1953 1955 Career position - Demonstrator/Teaching Fellow at New South Wales University of Technology 1955 1955 Education - Master of Science (MSc), New South Wales University of Technology 1955 1963 Career position - Leader of the Resin and Polymer Research Section of Dulux 1959 1959 Education - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), University of New South Wales 1959 1960 Career position - Seconded to ICI Paints Division in Slough, UK 1963 1970 Career position - Senior Research Scientist then Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) Division of Applied Mineralogy 1966 Career position - Fellow, Royal Australian Chemical Institute 1968 1968 Education - Doctor of Science (DSc), University of New South Wales 1968 1968 Award - Archibald D. Ollé Prize, New South Wales Branch, Royal Australian Chemical Institute 1968 1969 Career position - Seconded to Georgia Kaolin Company, Elizabeth, New Jersey, U.S.A. 1970 1974 Career position - Chief Research Scientist of CSIRO Division of Applied Chemistry 1971 1971 Award - H.G. Smith Memorial Medal, Royal Australian Chemical Institute 1974 1986 Career position - Chief of the Division of Applied Organic Chemistry, CSIRO 1975 Award - Fellow, Australian Academy of Science (FAA) 1975 1987 Award - Foundation Fellow, Australian Academy of Technological Sciences (FRS) 1976 1976 Award - David Syme Research Prize, University of Melbourne 1977 1977 Award - Liversidge Lecturer, Australian and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science 1978 1978 Award - Batteard-Jordan Australian Polymer Medal, Polymer Division, Royal Australian Chemical Institute 1979 1980 Career position - President, Royal Australian Chemical Institute 1980 1980 Award - Applied Research Award (and the S. F. Cox Medal), Royal Australian Chemical Institute 1980 1981 Career position - Seconded to the Reserve Bank of Australia 1985 1985 Award - Leighton Memorial Medal, Royal Australian Chemical Institute 1986 1987 Career position - Acting Director of the CSIRO Institute of Industrial Technologies 1987 1987 Award - Fellow, Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (FTSE) [Foundation Fellow AATS 1975] 1987 1987 Award - CSIRO Medal for Research Achievement (with colleagues, CSIRO Chemicals and Polymers, and Don Addison, Reserve Bank of Australia) 1988 1988 Award - The Australian Bicentennial Science Achievement Award 1988 1989 Career position - Chief of Division of Chemicals and Polymers, CSIRO 1989 1989 Award - Ian William Wark Medal and Lecturer, Australian Academy of Science 1989 1989 Award - Lady Masson Memorial Lecturer, University of Melbourne 1989 1990 Career position - Deputy Director of the CSIRO Institute of Industrial Technologies 1990 1990 Award - CSIRO Medal for research Achievement (with Ezio Rizzardo and the Specialty Poylmers Group) 1990 1994 Career position - Head of School of Chemistry, and ICI Australia Masson Professor of Chemistry, University of Melbourne 26 Jan 1990 26 Jan 1990 Award - Member of the Order of Australia (AM) - for service to science and technology, particularly in the field of polymer chemistry 1991 1991 Award - Keynote Lecturer, 2nd Pacific Polymer Conference, Otsu, Japan 1991 1991 Award - Liversidge Lecturer, Australian and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science 1994 1994 Award - Clunies Ross National Science and Technology Award, Ian Clunies Ross Memorial Foundation 1995 Career position - Professorial Fellow of Chemistry, University of Melbourne 2000 Career position - Member, Institution of Chemical Engineers 1 Jan 2001 1 Jan 2001 Award - Centenary Medal - for service to Australian society and science in chemical engineering 2002 2002 Award - R. K. Murphy Medal, Industrial Chemistry Division, Royal Australian Chemical Institute 2004 Award - Fellow, The Royal Society, London (FRS) 2004 2004 Award - CRC for Polymers Chairman's Award for Excellence in Commercialisation (joint) 2005 2005 Award - Doctor of Applied Science (DAppSc), honoris causa, University of Melbourne 2006 2006 Award - Victoria Prize for Science and Innovation, State of Victoria 2007 Award - Fellow, Institution of Chemical Engineers 2007 2007 Award - Sellafield Ltd Award for Engineering Excellence, Highly Commended), Institution of Chemical Engineers 2007 2007 Award - NES Award for Novel Engineering Solutions, Institution of Chemical Engineers 2008 2008 Award - Innovation Award, Australian and New Zealand Branch, Society for Plastic Engineers 2009 2009 Award - CSIRO Medal for Lifetime Achievement 2011 2011 Award - Prime Minister's Prize for Science (jointly with Ezio Rizzardo), Commonwealth of Australia 13 Jun 2016 13 Jun 2016 Award - Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) - for eminent service to science as an academic, researcher and author in the field of polymer chemistry and plastics, to the development and commercialisation of processes and materials, and to professional scientific institutions CSIRO Division of Applied Chemistry, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (1966 - 1974)

Chief Research Scientist 1970 - 1974

 R. K. Murphy Medal, RACI - Industrial Chemistry Division (1993 - )

Awarded the Medal 2002

 Applied Research Award, Royal Australian Chemical Institute (1980 - )

Received the Award (and the S. F. Cox Medal) 1980

 David and Valerie Solomon Award, Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (2019 - ) Clunies Ross National Science and Technology Award, Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (1991 - 2015)

Received the Award 1994, from the Ian Clunies Ross Memorial Foundation

 Prime Minister's Prize for Science, Commonwealth of Australia (2000 - )

Awarded the Prize (jointly with Ezio Rizzardo) 2011

 Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (1987 - )

Fellow 1987 - [Foundation Fellow AATS 1975]

 CSIRO Division of Chemicals and Polymers, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (1988 - 1997)

Chief of the Division 1988 - 1989

 CSIRO Division of Applied Organic Chemistry, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (1974 - 1988)

Chief of the Division 1974 - 1986

 School of Chemistry, The University of Melbourne (1880s - )

Head of School of Chemistry, and ICI Australia Masson Professor of Chemistry 1990 - 1994

 Institute of Industrial Technologies - CSIRO, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (1986 - 1995)

Acting Director 1986 - 1987; Deputy Director 1989 - 1990

 Victoria Prize for Science and Innovation, State of Victoria (1998 - )

Awarded the Prize 2006

 Australian Academy of Science (1954 - )

Elected Fellow 1975

 CSIRO Medal for Lifetime Achievement, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (2002 - )

Awarded the Medal 2009

 Australian Academy of Technological Sciences (1975 - 1987)

Foundation Fellow 1975 - 1987

 Leighton Memorial Medal, Royal Australian Chemical Institute (1965 - )

Awarded the Medal 1985

 Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) (1953 - )

Fellow 1966 - ; President 1979 - 1980

 H. G. Smith Memorial Medal, Royal Australian Chemical Institute (1929 - )

Awarded the Medal 1971

 Ian Wark Medal and Lecture, Australian Academy of Science (1987 - )

Awarded the Medal 1989

 David Syme Research Prize, The University of Melbourne (1904 - )

Awarded the Prize 1976

 CSIRO Oral History Project (2016 - )

Interviewed January and February 2017

 RACI - New South Wales Branch, Royal Australian Chemical Institute (1953 - )

Awarded Archibald D. Ollé Prize 1968

 RACI - Polymer Chemistry Division, Royal Australian Chemical Institute (1964 - )

Awarded Batteard-Jordan Australian Polymer Medal 1978

 CSIRO Medal for Research Achievement (1985 - )

Awarded the Medal 1987 and 1990, both jointly with colleagues

 CSIRO Division of Applied Mineralogy, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (1962? - 1970)

Senior (later Principal) Research Scientist 1963 - 1970

Wikidata

VIAF - Virtual International Authority File

 Solomon, D H (1929-)

Trove

 'Solomon, David Henry', in Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation, Centre for Transformative Innovation, Swinburne University of Technology Solomon, David Henry Swinburne University of Technology, Centre for Transformative Innovation Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation Journal Article: It may not be beautiful but the new ten dollar note is pretty secure Spurling, Tom; Solomon, David It may not be beautiful but the new ten dollar note is pretty secure Australia The Conversation AU 2017 The Conversation Book: Australia's Greatest Inventions and Innovations Knight, Linsay and Cheng, Christopher Australia's Greatest Inventions and Innovations North Sydney, N.S.W. Random House Australia 2012 Resource: Honorary degree holders University of Melbourne Honorary degree holders University of Melbourne 2023 Journal Article: Proceeds of crime: how polymer banknotes were invented Spurling, Tom; Solomon, David Proceeds of crime: how polymer banknotes were invented Australia The Conversation AU 2014 The Conversation Newspaper Article: A pioneer from paint to plastic Edwards, Paul A pioneer from paint to plastic 2007 The Age Journal Article: Kinetic simulation of polymerization involving termination by reversible chain transfer Johnson, C. H. J.; Moad, G.; Solomon, D.H.; and Spurling, T. H. Kinetic simulation of polymerization involving termination by reversible chain transfer 1986 Australian journal of chemistry 39 12 1943-50 Journal Article: Sefton Davidson Hamann 1921-2009 Spurling, Thomas H.; and Solomon, David H. Sefton Davidson Hamann 1921-2009 2009 Historical Records of Australian Science 20 2 255-271 Journal Article: Australian manufacturing industry - third time lucky Solomon, D. H.; and Spurling, T. H. Australian manufacturing industry - third time lucky 1987 Prometheus 5 1 63-72 Journal Article: James Robert Price, 1912-1999 Collins, David J.; Simpson, Gregory W.; Solomon, David H.; Spurling, Thomas H. James Robert Price, 1912-1999 2004 Historical Records of Australian Science 15 1 95-120 Journal Article: The application of supercomputers in modelling chemical-reaction kinetics - kinetic simulation of "quasi-living" radical polymerization Johnson, C. H. J.; Moad, G.; Solomon, D. H.; Spurling, T. H.; and Vearing, D. J. The application of supercomputers in modelling chemical-reaction kinetics - kinetic simulation of "quasi-living" radical polymerization 1990 Australian journal of chemistry 43 7 1215-30 Book: The chemistry of radical polymerization Moad, Graeme and Solomon, D. H. The chemistry of radical polymerization 2nd Elsevier 2005 Book: The plastic banknote: from concept to reality Solomon, David; Spurling, Tom The plastic banknote: from concept to reality Collingwood, Vic. CSIRO Publishing 2014 Resource Section: David Henry (Dave) Solomon Ward, C. David Henry (Dave) Solomon Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) 2011 CSIROpedia Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Resource Section: David Solomon, interviewed by Tom Spurling and Terry Healy, 12 January 2017 and 2 February 2017 Spurling, Tom; Healy, Terry; and Solomon, David David Solomon, interviewed by Tom Spurling and Terry Healy, 12 January 2017 and 2 February 2017 CSIROpedia 2017 CSIRO Oral History Project Resource: Recipients [of the Prime Minister's Prizes for Science, 2000 - 2017] Recipients [of the Prime Minister's Prizes for Science, 2000 - 2017] Department of Industry, Innovation and Science 2017 Book: The Records of Currency Note Research and Development Project, CSIRO, Division of Chemicals and Polymers Buchanan, Roderick; McCarthy, Gavan; Manhal, Oscar The Records of Currency Note Research and Development Project, CSIRO, Division of Chemicals and Polymers Melbourne Australian Science Archives Project 1991 Resource: Ian Wark Medal and Lecture Australian Academy of Science Ian Wark Medal and Lecture Australian Academy of Science 2022 Collection of material relating to the currency note [plastic banknote] research and development project National Archives of Australia, Melbourne Office Collection of material relating to the currency note [plastic banknote] research and development project B5609 1928 - 1988 This series comprises the collection of material relating to the currency note (plastic banknote) research and development project. Following the appearance of forged $10 notes in 1967 and the Reserve Bank of Australia's concern about the imminent release of colour photocopiers, cooperation between CSIRO and NID if RBA began with the aim to "produce a more secure form of note" to combat forgeries, particularly by photographic means. The project largely centred on the CSIRO Division of Applied Organic Chemistry. The plastic $10 note was issued to the public in 1988. A short history of the project can be found on Australian Archives' file (Brighton) 1990/397. This collection was not the product of a single filing or records management system. Rather, it represents material brought together from the records of a number of individual scientists who worked on the Plastic Banknote project, particularly David Solomon and Sefton Hamann. Tom Spurling inititated the archival project and engaged the Australian Science Archives Project to undertake the field work and arrange the transfer to the National Archives of Australia, As a first step, staff who had worked on the project were surveyed to obtain basic details of the surviving documentation. This survey data was entered into a database and used to determine which records were to be archived. These were then processed and their contents listed in detail. Most of this work was carried out on-site at CSIRO's Division of Chemicals and Polymers in Clayton. 5.72 m Artwork, Objects, Photographs David Henry Solomon - Records Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Corporate Records and Archives Strategies David Henry Solomon - Records 1965 - 1990 Information and records in the official files of CSIRO c1965-90.