Relative to the other branches of science, polymers made a late appearance. The concept of polymers as long-chain molecules was not widely accepted until the 1930s following the pioneering work of Staudinger, Carothers, and others. Synthetic polymers were emerging in great profusion from the laboratories, primarily those of industry. The development of methods for molecular characterization and synthesis enabled polymer chemistry to make rapid strides and initiated the modern age of polymers.