Unfolding the story of a defence minister turned t-shirt embroiderer

Meet Dr Stanley Orman. A gifted scientist with an eye for design, Stanley is the mind behind the world’s first titanium metal implant. Now enjoying retired life in America, Stanley spends his time embroidering t-shirts and napkin sets for friends and family.

Beginnings at King’s

Born and raised in London, Stanley chose King’s due to our university’s reputation for Chemistry. He recalls benefitting from high-quality staff in the Chemistry department, led by Professor Hey FRS (who directed Stanley’s research and even attended his wedding).

A keen sportsman, Stanley captained the King’s Track & Field team in 1955. His talents took him all the way to the World Student Games for British Universities, where he received three medals.

‘Sports dominated my early life, and I continued to play tennis into my eighties,’ Stanley told us.

After his undergraduate degree, Stanley was offered a scholarship to complete a PhD, leading him on to a lifetime of impact and achievement.

From research science to the civil service

Stanley went on to pursue a varied career in science and the civil service. After King’s, his academic interests led him to America, where he took up a post-doctorate position at Brandeis University.

In 1961, Stanley came back to England and joined the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) as a research scientist. He spent 12 successful years specialising in materials science. Stanley’s proudest achievement during his years there was his work on the selection of materials for implants in orthopaedic surgery. He was the first person to identify the potential to use titanium for metal implants in the human body. This is now standard practice and has improved lives around the world.

Stanley later became Chief Engineer at AWE. His many accomplishments in this role included developing Britain’s nuclear deterrent, Chevaline. This was successfully deployed in 1982, and Stanley was appointed Minister at the British Embassy, Washington.

Two years later, Stanley returned to the UK once more. He moved into the Ministry of Defence as Director General of UK involvement with the US missile defence programme, Strategic Defense Initiative.

Reflections on a remarkable career

Inspired by these experiences, Stanley has written two books. His debut, Faith in G.O.D.S: Stability in the Nuclear Age was published in 1991, and An Uncivil Civil Servant was released in 2013. He has also penned numerous scientific papers and commentary pieces.

‘I was fortunate to be able to change career path several times within the Ministry of Defence – from research scientist to project manager and later to policy advisor, working directly with ministers and even the Prime Minister,’ Stanley commented.

Stanley retired early in 1990 and emigrated to the US. In a full-circle moment, Stanley had a titanium hip replacement in his eighties – based on the very same implant he helped design decades before. 

A flair for fashion

Retired life has seen Stanley craft an interest in embroidery. This first came about when his daughter started stitching a rose on each of his shirts. A bow tie and the rose became Stanley’s calling card, and he soon learned how to do the stitching himself.

Since then, Stanley has branched out into t-shirts and sets of napkins. He has embroidered numerous gifts for family and friends over the decades. Now 90 years old, Stanley is still stitching away!

Interested in supporting scholarships like the one that changed the course of Stanley’s life? Find out about how alumni giving supports students here.