In 1974, the Priestley Medal was awarded to Paul J. Flory by the American Chemical Society “to recognize distinguished services to chemistry,” the Society’s most prestigious award.

Flory contributed outstanding research on the composition and properties of substances composed of giant molecules: plastics, rubbers, and fibers. His research in polymeric materials has been essential to the growth of the plastics industry. In 1974, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.