Thomas Midgley Jr. is known for his work in creating leaded gasoline, but he and Albert Henne, a chemist who worked at the Frigidaire Division of General Motors, collaborated with each other to create a less toxic, less explosive refrigerant. The two had tried many compounds, but eliminated them because they were impractical. But the possible solution of using compounds of fluorine, had not been considered due to its very corrosive and highly toxic properties.After multiple attempts, Midgley and Henne tried combining one or two carbon atoms and different numbers of fluorine and chlorine atoms instead of hydrogen. The result was what the two called chlorofluorcarbons, or CFCs as they are known now. These CFCs were exactly what the pair had been in search of all along. To prove this, Midgley poured some of the CFC into a container then boiled it, and as the compound boiled he put his face over the steam, opened his mouth, and took in a breath. He then turned to a candle and exhaled the CFC, effectively extinguishing the flame., demonstrating the nonexplosive and nontoxic properties of chlorofluorocarbons.
Above is Thomas Midgley Jr.
Below is Albert Henne
Below is Albert Henne