Otto Wichterle (27. 10. 1913 - 18. 8. 1998) - world-famous Czech scientist and inventor, one of the founders of macromolecular organic chemistry. His most famous invention are gel contact lenses, also known research in the field of polyamide fiber.

Otto Wichterle was born in a business family in Prostejov. His father was a co-owner of engineering company Wikov (Wichterle and Kovarik), which was one of the largest producers of pre-war agricultural technology and ventured to the production of luxury cars.

Otto is due to the unfortunate events in his childhood, he nearly drowned in mo��vce, long struggled with health problems. This was also evident in his weak physical condition. During his studies at the State Grammar School in Prostejov, however classmates physically settled, which helped him and fondness for tennis, which is actively involved.

After graduating from high school he decided to continue at a university in the field of engineering, because there would have applied his talent for mathematics. On the recommendation of a friend but also filed an application to the Faculty of Chemical Technology (now University of Chemical Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology), which was adopted in 1931 and began studying chemistry. On a thesis, which made four years later, deprived him famous Czech professor and chemist Emil Voto�ek. After a few more months Wichterle became a doctor of technical sciences. At school, he worked as an assistant, until its closing by the Nazis in of 1939.

Research polyamides started looking after entering the Bata Research Institute in Zl�n in 1940. A year later developed the procedure for spinning polyamide fibers (nylon called at home) and the winding. After the end of World War II, he returned to the University of Chemical Technology, where he established the department of plastics technology, and where he worked as a professor. But also lectured at other universities.

The idea of ??using a hydrophilic polymer contact lens manufacturing engaged since 1952. Promising results show fairly early, but the problem was with the production technology. There Wichterle solved in winter 1961 using a device made up of children's building Mercury proved that contact lenses can be produced without a large financial costs. It happened, paradoxically, in a year when he Ministry of Health official research abolished.

In 1958, when the political vetting labeled as unreliable, but as a world-renowned and indispensable for industry scientist, Wichterle could work on. One year later, he even became a founder of the Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry and its first director.

Otto Wichterle was also an excellent teacher. After the war, wrote the modern concept of textbooks inorganic and organic chemistry, which adapted into German and Russian versions.

Since 1990, he served as chairman of the Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences, after dividing the state was named honorary chairman of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic. For his discovery won Otto Wichterle number of foreign awards, and in 1993 was named by him one of the asteroids.