Vladimir Haensel was an American chemical engineer who invented the platforming process - a platinum catalytic process for reforming petroleum hydrocarbons into gasoline. In addition, he was influential in the creation of catalytic converters for automobiles. Vladimir Haensel was born September 1, 1914 in Freiburg, Germany. He received a bachelor degree in general engineering from Northwestern University and a master's in chemical engineering from MIT in 1937. He received many awards for his accomplishments including the National Medal of Science and he was the first recipient of the National Academy of Science Award. Haensel was also a member of the National Academy of Engineering, and served on the board of managers at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and National Materials advisory board. He died on December 15, 2002.