E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company

The family firm of E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company was established in 1802 and during the 19th century it became one of the United States' most important manufacturers of black powder. In 1902 three younger du Pont cousins: T. Coleman, Alfred I., and Pierre S. took over the company and within three years succeeded in bringing 75% of the American explosives industry (which at that time included black powder, dynamite, and smokeless powder) under their control. During the first decade of the twentieth century Du Pont made a major commitment to research and development as it established two pioneering research laboratories. Beginning in 1911 the company began to diversify using the expertise that it developed by producing explosives based on nitrocellulose. It became a leading manufacturer of paints, dyes, pigments, varnishes, textile fibers (rayon, nylon, orlon), artificial rubber, and plastics. By the 1940s and 50s the explosives business was becoming less and less important to the Du Pont Company as textile fibers and plastics accounted for more than 75% of corporate profits and investment.

From the description of Departmental histories, 1923-1984. (Hagley Museum & Library). WorldCat record id: 122458715

After its 1903 incorporation and reorganization the Du Pont Company acquired control over more than 90% of the American explosives industry. Between 1903 and 1906, as part of an effort to improve the company's high explosives products (dynamite and smokeless powder), Du Pont established two scientific laboratories, Eastern Laboratory in Gibbstown, N.J. (1905), and the Experimental Station in Wilmington (1903). By 1909, however, government threats to break up the "powder trust" and growing competition pushed the company toward diversification. Research brought the company into celluloid, plastics, rayon, cellophane, paints, and dyestuffs. During the 1920s and 1930s Du Pont set up subsidiary companies to produce and market these products.

From the description of Records of subsidiary companies, 1885-1933. (Hagley Museum & Library). WorldCat record id: 122292474

The powder company E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. was organized in Paris on April 21, 1801. During the summer of 1802 the foundations were laid for the first mill on a site along the Brandywine River just north of Wilmington, Delaware. This original site was known as the Hagley powder yard. Since there was not an established community in the vicinity of the mills, workers' housing and a company store were built. Employees continued to live on the Du Pont Company site until the powder mills were closed in 1921.

From the description of Hagley Yard company housing notebook, 1902. (Hagley Museum & Library). WorldCat record id: 86123488

Du Pont was founded in 1802 as a manufacturer of gunpowder. Over the years their product lines developed and, by the early 20th century, they were leading manufacturer of synthetics, including Nylon, Teflon, Tyvek, Dacron, Orlon and Kevlar. Over the years Du Pont divested itself of certain divisions and added new ones. It is still active today as a leading provider of communications technologies, coatings, and agricultural products

From the description of Standard operating procedures from the Du Pont Corporation, 1935-1944 (bulk 1943) (Chemical Heritage Foundation). WorldCat record id: 779310363

The applicant, Maj. Richard Sylvester of Baltimore, was born in Liverpool, Pa., in 1857 and worked successively as a railroad telegrapher, station agent and yardmaster, private detective, and purser on a steamboat. He is applying for a job as a guard or investigator.

From the description of Application for employment, 1916. (Hagley Museum & Library). WorldCat record id: 726183439

E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company celebrated its 150th anniversary on July 18, 1952 with the unveiling of a monument to founder E.I. du Pont on the site of the original powder mills of 1802, now part of the grounds of the Hagley Museum.

From the description of 150th anniversary miscellany, 1952-1954. (Hagley Museum & Library). WorldCat record id: 122641018

The Repauno Chemical Company was incorporated in Delaware in December 1879 for the purpose of manufacturing dynamite. It was owned, one third each, by the big three black powder makers, E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, the Laflin & Rand Powder Company, and the Hazard Powder Company. Lammot du Pont was pushing the company to enter the high explosives field, but President Henry du Pont rejected using the existing Brandywine Works site because of the danger of explosions. The Repauno Chemical Company purchased an unpopulated site on the Delaware River in Gibbstown, N.J. Groundbreaking occurred on January 31, 1880, and production began on May 30, 1880.

From the description of Repauno Works centennial binder, 1980. (Hagley Museum & Library). WorldCat record id: 654811998

E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company was organized in Paris in 180l byPierre Samuel du Pont de Nemours and his son Eleuthere Irenee du Pont. The next year E.I. du Pont purchased purchased a mill site on the banks of the Brandywine River just North of Wilmington, Delaware and began making preparations to establish a black powder manufactory. During the winter of 1802 -03 E.I. du Pont recruited a small workforce and began building the company's mills. By the spring of 1804 powder was being produced and the Company had secured a commitment from President Thomas Jefferson to purchase Du Pont gunpowder to the army and navy. With this contract in place the Company started to recruit immigrant Irish workers for the mills and hired its first independent sales agents.

During the War of 1812 Du Pont became a major supplier of gun powd er for the U.S. government as its total sales exceeded 500,000 pounds. After the war the company expanded rapidly as it began selling large quantities of powder to coal mine operators and railroad entrepreneurs. In 1837, Henry du Pont, E.I. son, took over the management of the company and began to rationalize the company's managerial practices. During the Civil War Du Pont became the largest supplier of powder for the Union army and in the late 1860s and 70s it used its wartime profits to purchase controlof many of its competitors.

In 1872 Du Pont organized the Gun Powder Trade Association which acted as a cartel to limit competition and raise prices. In the late 1880sand early 90s the Company began experimenting with Smokeless Powder as it purchased the the rights to distribute dynamite in America from Alfred Nobel. In 1899 Du Pont incorporated for the first time as the Company which by this time was losing market share because its mills were obsolete and its managemnt style archiac began to modernize and reorganize.

From the description of Records, 1801-190l. (Hagley Museum & Library). WorldCat record id: 122385150

The powder company E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company was organized in Paris on April 21, 1801. E. I. du Pont established the company's mills on site north of Wilmington, Delaware, on the banks of the Brandywine River. The first mills were completed in 1803 and manufacture of powder began the next year. The first government order for gunpowder was placed in 1805 at the suggestion of Thomas Jefferson. During the War of 1812 the Du Pont Company became a major government supplier as orders averaged more than 200,000 pounds per year.

During the 1820s the company began selling large quantities of blasting powder to coal mine operators in the anthracite region of Pennsylvania. In the Civil War the Company was a major supplier of powder for the Union Army. In 1872 Henry and Lammot du Pont made an effort to organize the nation's black powder producers into the Gunpowder Trade Association. This was an effort to control the national market through horizontal integration.

By the 1890s, the Du Pont Company laboratories and mills had become obsolete as the family appeared reluctant to adopt modern technology and management techniques. In 1902 a younger generation of du Pont cousins, Pierre, Alfred, and T. Coleman, organized a syndicate that gained control of the company and transformed it into a modern corporation.

From the description of Correspondence, 1805-1901. (Hagley Museum & Library). WorldCat record id: 86123685

The powder company, E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, was organized in Paris on April 21, 1801. E. I. du Pont established the company's mills on a site north of Wilmington, Delaware, on the banks of the Brandywine River. The first mills were completed in 1803 and manufacture of powder began the next year. The first government order for gun powder was placed in 1805 at the suggestion of Thomas Jefferson. During the War of 1812 the Du Pont Company became a major government supplier as orders averaged more than 200,000 pounds per year.

During the 1820s the company began selling large quantities of blasting powder to coal mine operators in the anthracite region of Pennsylvania. In the Civil War the Company was a major supplier of powder for the Union Army. In 1872 Henry and Lammot du Pont made an effort to organize the nation's black powder producers into the Gun Powder Trade Association. This was an effort to control the national market through horizontal integration.

By the 1890s, the Du Pont Company laboratories and mills had become obsolete as the family appeared reluctant to adopt modern technology and management techniques. In 1902 a younger generation of du Pont cousins, Pierre, Alfred, and T. Coleman, organized a syndicate that gained control of the company and transformed it into a modern corporation.

From the description of Purchase, sales and production records, 1804-1905. (Hagley Museum & Library). WorldCat record id: 122292447

The powder company E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Company was organized in Paris on April 21, 1801. E. I. du Pont established the company's mills on a site north of Wilmington, Delaware, on the banks of the Brandywine River. The first mills were completed in 1803 and manufacture of powder began the next year. The first government order for gun powder was placed in 1805 at the suggestion of Thomas Jefferson. During the War of 1812 the Du Pont Company became a major government supplier, as orders averaged more than 200,000 pounds per year.

During the 1820s the company began selling large quantities of blasting powder to coal operators in the anthracite region of Pennsylvania. In the Civil War the company was a major supplier of powder for the Union Army. In 1872 Henry and Lammot du Pont made an effort to organize the nation's black powder producers into the Gun Powder Trade Association. This was an effort to control the national market through horizontal integration.

By the 1890s, the Du Pont Company laboratories and mills had become obsolete as the family appeared reluctant to adopt modern technology and management techniques. In 1902 a younger generation of du Pont cousins, Pierre, Alfred, and T. Coleman, organized a syndicate that gained control of the company and transformed it into a modern corporation.

From the description of General accounts, 1800-1903. (Hagley Museum & Library). WorldCat record id: 86094011

E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company was organized in Paris in 180l by Pierre Samuel du Pont de Nemours and his son Eleuthère Irénée du Pont. The next year E.I. du Pont purchased a mill site on the banks of the Brandywine River just North of Wilmington, Delaware and began making preparations to establish a black powder manufactory. During the winter of 1802 -03 E.I. du Pont recruited a small workforce and began building the company's mills. By the spring of 1804 powder was being produced and the company had secured a commitment from President Thomas Jefferson to purchase Du Pont gunpowder for the Army and Navy. With this contract in place the company started to recruit immigrant Irish workers for the mills and hired its first independent sales agents.

During the War of 1812 Du Pont became a major supplier of gunpowder for the U.S. government as its total sales exceeded 500,000 pounds. After the war the company expanded rapidly as it began selling large quantities of powder to coal mine operators and railroad entrepreneurs. In 1837 Henry du Pont, E.I.'s son, took over the management of the company and began to rationalize the company's managerial practices. During the Civil War Du Pont became the largest supplier of powder for the Union Army and in the late 1860s and 70s it used its wartime profits to purchase control of many of its competitors.

In 1872 Du Pont organized the Gunpowder Trade Association which acted as a cartel to limit competition and raise prices. In the late 1880s and early 90s the company began experimenting with smokeless powder, and it purchased the rights to distribute dynamite in America from Alfred Nobel. By the late 19th century the company was beginning to lose market share as its mills were becoming obsolete. In 1899 Du Pont incorporated for the first time and began to modernize its mills and rationalize its archaic management structure.

From the description of Records, 1800-1905. (Hagley Museum & Library). WorldCat record id: 122405550

E.I. du Pont de Nemours was incorporated in Delaware on February 26, 1902. After the incorporation T. Coleman du Pont was named president and his cousins Alfred I. du Pont and Pierre Samuel du Pont were named vice president and treasurer respectively. The next year the company began to experiment with new forms of organization and it created an executive committee on which both the corporate officers and departmental heads were represented. In the years before World War I the company began to systematically extend its control over the black powder and high explosives business. In 1907, the Justice Department filed suit claiming that E.I. du Pont de Nemours was in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act. This litigation was settled in 1912 when the company divested itself of its high explosives business and the Atlas and Hercules Powder Companies were set up as independent entities.

After this reorganization Pierre Samuel du Pont was named chairman and chief executive officer. During the First World War the Du Pont Company became the largest supplier of munitions for the Allies. In the 1920s the company used its wartime profits to diversify, as it established its presence in the dyestuffs, paints, plastics, and cellophane markets. During this period the Du Pont Company invested its surplus capital in General Motors and by the mid 1920s it had obtained a controlling interest. In 1922 the company established a Fundamental Research Program as it set up laboratories devoted to physical, polymer, and organic chemistry. In 1937 the polymer chemistry laboratory, under the leadership of Dr. Wallace Carothers, developed nylon. After the Second World War nylon and the synthetic fibers that followed became the company's major source of revenue. During the Second World War Du Pont played an important role in the government's atomic energy program, as a number of its scientists worked on the Manhattan Project. The company also built atomic reactors at Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and Hanford, Washington. In 1948 the U.S. government again filed suit against the Du Pont Company. This time it claimed that its association with General Motors constituted an unlawful restraint of trade. This lawsuit was settled in 1962 at which time Du Pont was ordered to sell all its G.M. stock.

During the 1960s and '70s the company underwent several reorganizations and it slowly got out of the gunpowder and high explosives business in order to concentrate on textile fibers, biochemicals, plastics, and pharmaceuticals.

From the description of Records (Series II), 1765-1962 (bulk 1902-1962). (Hagley Museum & Library). WorldCat record id: 122458543