Nathaniel Wyeth, Noted Inventor

ST. GEORGE, Maine - Nathaniel Wyeth, the brother of artist Andrew Wyeth and the inventor of the plastic soda bottle, died at his home. He was 78.

Wyeth, who lived in the village of Tenants Harbor in St. George and in Chadds Ford, Pa., was taken Wednesday night to the Penobscot Bay Medical Center, where he died, hospital spokesman Russell Donahue said yesterday.

While other members of the family achieved greater fame with their art work - his late father, N.C. Wyeth, was a well-known artist-illustrator - Wyeth achieved distinction in science during a 40-year career with the Du Pont Co.

Wyeth was best known for developing the polyethylene terephthalate, or PET, bottle, in the early 1970s. The bottle is used for carbonated beverages, wine, liquor and food because of its light weight and impact resistance.

Wyeth invented 25 processes and products that spanned a wide range, including plastics, textile fibers, electronics and mechanical systems.

Wyeth also was an accomplished craftsman known for creating unusual and detailed furniture miniatures.

He is survived by wife Jean, five sons, his brother, three sisters, three stepsons and a stepdaughter.