Henry Griffith helped create the plastics container and packaging industry, through a unique combination of technical and marketing skills. Was devoted to the development and commercial introduction of basic innovations in rigid plastics for packaging.

Griffith was born in Kansas City, MO and graduated from Princeton University in 1937 with a BS in chemical engineering. He began his 50-year career in plastics at Monsanto Chemical (1937-41). He served the industry at Plax Corporation (1941-1949). He also founded Plastic Tube & Bottle (1958-71). In 1974, he formed PPA, Inc., a consulting company for both U.S. and European packaging businesses. He remained active as a consultant until his death in 1989.

Griffith played a major role in the development, production, and marketing of polystyrene and polyethylene bottles from the first blow molding process. He was co-founder and president of Bradley Container Co. (1949-58), which developed the process for the manufacture of squeezable plastic tubes from polyolefins.

He was elected to the Packaging Hall of Fame in 1982 and in 1985 he received the John Wesley Hyatt Award from the SPE. He was a member of many technical organizations, including the Plastics Pioneers Association, SPI, SPE, ACS, AAAS, Packaging Institute, and AICHE.