Otto Wichterle 1913 – 1998

Biography

Otto Wichterle revolutionized how millions see the world—literally. The Czech chemical engineer and inventor transformed vision correction when he pioneered soft contact lenses, a breakthrough that liberated countless people from the constraints of glasses and rigid contacts. Working with relentless ingenuity, Wichterle developed the hydrogel technology that became the foundation for modern contact lens design, cementing his place among the twentieth century’s most impactful innovators.

Born in Prostějov, Czechoslovakia in 1913, Wichterle split his genius between the laboratory and the public arena. As a professor and chemical engineer, he commanded respect in academic circles while simultaneously shaping Czech society as a member of the Czech National Council. He embodied the rare combination of a scientist-statesman—someone equally comfortable theorizing about polymer chemistry and navigating the nation’s turbulent political landscape.

Wichterle died in 1998 at age 84, having spent a lifetime anchored to his Moravian roots. His final resting place in Prostějov cemetery marks a homecoming of sorts—a return to the region that spawned one of science’s most visionary minds, whose soft contact lens invention continues touching lives daily.