Legendary Chemist Thomas Flautt Jr. Dies at 94

Thomas Flautt Jr., an accomplished chemist and inventor, passed away on August 4th, 2026, at the age of 94. Born in Glendora, Mississippi, on February 8, 1932, to Alline and Thomas Flautt, he was the oldest of five children.

Flautt's fascination with science fiction and technological advancements led him to pursue a career in chemistry. He graduated summa cum laude from St. Louis University in 1953 and went on to earn his PhD in atomic spectroscopy from UC Berkeley in 1957.

As a research scientist at Procter & Gamble, Flautt developed several products and held patents for various inventions. After a 37-year career with the company, he retired as Section Head of R&D Personnel Administration in 1994 but continued to pursue his interests in psychology.