TEXTILES.ORG
AATCC announces that Haskell W. Beckham is the 2024 recipient of the AATCC Olney Medal. Beckham, vice president of innovation at Columbia Sportswear, is being recognized for his significant contributions to textile sciences.
Beckham has worked in academia, consulting and industry focusing on the development of advanced materials, textiles and test methods, and teaching and problem-solving. He has spent many years developing moisture measuring methods and heat management polymer compositions and has made several significant contributions and advancements to the textile industry.
In 2024, Beckham was awarded two utility patents for his work in textile thermal wear and composite foam for performance footwear. One patent is related to heat reflecting materials, and the other relates to the components of performance footwear, and the construction of the midsole with polymer foams. His patents will improve comfortability in articles of clothing and footwear.
Throughout his career, Beckham has applied and shared his knowledge of textile chemistry. He has held numerous leadership positions, leading and driving innovation of advanced materials and material constructions for integration into apparel, footwear, and equipment. He was involved in the development of Columbia’s heat-reflective textile called Omni-Heat Infinity and served as technical lead for partnership with the space-exploration company, Intuitive Machines.
At Exponent, a scientific and engineering consulting firm, he provided numerous technical services, including project development, litigation support and failure analysis. He was a named expert witness in patent infringement, product liability, and personal injury cases involving footwear, textiles, coatings, polymers and nonwovens.
Established in 1944 in honor of Louis Atwell Olney, the founder and first president of AATCC, the Olney Medal recognizes outstanding achievement in textile or polymer chemistry or other fields of chemistry of major importance to textile science.