Raychem Corporation

Raychem Corporation was a pioneering American technology company founded in 1957 in Menlo Park, California, by Paul M. Cook, Bob Helprin, James B. Meikle, and Richard W. Muchmore. The company was a spin-off from SRI International and became the first enterprise to successfully commercialize radiation chemistry, a revolutionary scientific breakthrough that enabled the creation of high-performance polymer materials. Raychem's founding technology centered on using high-energy electrons to alter the molecular structure of polymers, resulting in crosslinked materials with superior properties including heat-shrinkable tubing and lightweight, rugged wire and cable systems for military and aerospace applications. Under Paul Cook's visionary leadership, the company grew at an extraordinary average rate of 25% per year for over three decades, developing more than 50,000 different products based on advanced proprietary technologies. By 1992, Raychem had achieved Fortune 500 status and became one of the top 100 U.S. companies in research and development spending, investing over $128 million annually. The company's innovations included PolySwitch PPTC circuit protection devices, touchscreen technology later popularized as Elo TouchSystems, electronic interconnection systems, fiber optic cables, and heat-shrinkable insulation products. With operations in over 60 countries and more than 60% of sales generated internationally by 1992, Raychem reached $2 billion in annual revenue before being acquired by Tyco Electronics in 1999. Today, the Raychem brand continues under TE Connectivity, maintaining its legacy in advanced materials and electronic components across aerospace, defense, automotive, telecommunications, and industrial markets.