Abstract – Winning in a Material World:
“Why are there rich countries and poor countries? Here is one big reason: For more than two millennia, nations or regions that could transform raw materials into manufactured materials have achieved competitive advantage. This involved a lot of science, invention, engineering, and enterprise. In this lecture, I am going to take you on a whirlwind journey through the history of paper, clothing, food packaging, buildings, transport, and electricity with stories that show why and how competitive advantage happens. From China, to Spain, France, England, Pittsburgh, Akron, and yes, Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Then I will describe some of the future materials that might make and re-make our world in the coming decades, and what characteristics a society must have to be successful in the future.”
Bernard J. Bulkin Bio Sketch:
Born in a New Jersey farmhouse, educated on the streets of New York and at several fine universities, Bernie Bulkin is now in the midst of his third career. He spent 18 years as an academic scientist, then held a variety of industrial management and research positions with BP, including Vice President Environmental Affairs and Chief Scientist. Bernie Bulkin has been a venture capitalist, has been on the board of 14 companies, and has held several senior posts with both the UK and US Government. He currently chairs the boards of QLM Technology and Global Sustainable Energy Opportunities plc and serves on the board of ATN International. He is an Emeritus Professorial Fellow of the University of Cambridge, Board member of the Clean Growth Leadership Network, and has been a Vice President of the Energy Institute. His radio programs, Environment on the Edge, were heard on Voice America and he has contributed regularly to Huffington Post. He is the author of Crash Course (2015), Solving Chemistry (2019) and The Material Advantage (2024). He was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by the Queen in the New Year Honours list 2017.
Free Public Lecture: October 29 6:30 PM in 0116 Murphey Hall