By Henry J. Holcomb, The Philadelphia Inquirer Jul. 10--The business that became a regional icon for more than a century began when two German guys named Otto -- chemist Rohm and businessman Haas -- got together to market a new product to leather tanners. Rohm and Haas was born in Germany in 1907.

By Tom Avril, The Philadelphia Inquirer May 18--A 10th person has died of brain cancer after having worked with leather-processing chemicals at Rohm & Haas, bringing the total number of mysterious brain tumors at the Philadelphia chemical-maker to at least 20 in the last four decades.