[2] Boyer excelled in the Ford Trade School, and took to exploring concepts such as how to manufacture synthetic wool from soybeans.
One of his first projects, which began in 1932, included building “a small solvent extractor to separate the bean into soy oil and protein-rich meal”.
In 1934 the five to eight coats of lacquer previously used to finish cars were replaced with a synthetic baked enamel paint which contained about 35% soy oil saving considerable time and money.
In 1937, Boyer developed a curved plastic sheet which he hoped would replace steel in the auto bodies of Ford cars.
It was advertised as “it has 80% the strength of wool, took the same dyes, had good elongation, and did not wet as easily as wool.”[citation needed] Boyer realized this fiber could be used for upholstery in cars, filling in felt hats, or clothing.