The radiation-induced inverse emulsion polyerization of vinylpyrrolidone using an isoparaffinic hydrocarbon and nonionic emulsifier blend is described. High molecular weight polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) (1 million to 2 million M(upsilon) was readily obtained at rapid polymerization rates (Rp approximately 10-35 mol 1(-1) s-1) to high conversions (90-95%). The polydispersity of the polymer varied from 2.6 to 4.4, suggesting that chain transfer to the polymer had occurred. Adding a polymeric surfactant to the nonionic blend modified the polymerization rate and particle-size distribution.