Interview with Franklin W. Bradway, 1958 February 13 [audio](part 2)

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  • Water steeping smokeless powder and other drying methods; Explosions during World War I
    Partial Transcript: "...it's true as you stated, now powder was rejected, though we did have a lot of scrap powder..."
    Synopsis: Bradway explains that part of why DuPont could produce as much powder as they did during World War I was due to a process of "water steeping" the powder, a method which hastened the process of drying out powder. He also talks about alcohol drying powder. He talks about a TNT explosion at DuPont's Repauno plant. He explains that smokeless powder does not explode, it burns fast and hot, and they had a few fires. He talks about the uses of black powder during World War I for ignition on cannons and large guns. He talks about lightning strikes at Carney's Point. He discusses packing the gunpowder.
    Keywords: Alcohol drying; Carney's Pont (N.J.); E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company. Repauno Works; Hagley Yard; Smokeless gunpowder; Water steeping; World War (1914-1918)
Details
Title

Interview with Franklin W. Bradway, 1958 February 13 [audio](part 2)

Date Created

1958-02-13

Scope and Content

Bradway details DuPont's contract work with the Allied governments during both world wars and the Korean War, the development of the plant at Old Hickory, and the rise and fall of the sporting powder business. He eventually became a manager of the smokeless powder division and later the vicechairman of the Board of Benefits and Pensions.

Interviewee

Bradway, Franklin W.

Interviewer

Monigle, Joseph P. (Joseph Patrick), 1924-2007
Wilkinson, Norman B.

Biographical Note

Franklin W. Bradway (b. 1890), born to a father who had worked for DuPont at Carney's Point, graduated from high school at a young age and began working at Carney's Point himself in 1905. He was transferred to the laboratory and became the assistant chemist at the smokeless powder plant DuPont intended to build in Brazil in 1911. He saved money and attended college at the University of Virginia for chemistry, but was recalled to work in the smokeless powder plant during World War I in 1915.

Note

1 of 2; Interview summary-not a direct transcript
Part 1: Conversation ends abruptly but continues on Part 2

Subject(s)

Reminiscing
Explosives
Gunpowder industry--Employees
Explosives industry--Employees
Chemical industry

Subject(s)

South America

Subject(s) - Name

E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company

Find all items with name(s)

Bradway, Franklin W.
Monigle, Joseph P. (Joseph Patrick), 1924-2007
Wilkinson, Norman B.
E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company

Genre

oral histories

Brand Information

Scotch, Plastic, 1/4" x 1200 ft., No. 111 A-12

Language

English

Type of resource

sound recording-nonmusical

Extent

1 sound tape reel : 3.75 ips. TRT part 1 - 1:03:18, part 2 - 0:17:42.

Physical Details

A and B
Part 1: 1:03:18 Part 2: 0:17:42

Repository

Audiovisual Collections and Digital Initiatives Department, Hagley Museum and Library

Original Collection

Eleutherian Mills-Hagley Foundation interviews on the history of the DuPont Company Powder Yard (Accession 1970.370)

Original Identifier

1970.370.005

Finding Aid

http://findingaids.hagley.org/xtf/view?docId=ead/1970_370.xml

Item Location

Box 1, Reel 5

Preferred Citation

[Description and dates], 1970370_71713_Bradway_part2, Box 1, Reel 5, Eleutherian Mills-Hagley Foundation interviews on the history of the DuPont Company Powder Yard (Accession 1970.370), Audiovisual Collections and Digital Initiatives Department, Hagley Museum and Library, Wilmington, DE 19807

Access Condition

Access to this item is provided for educational and research purposes only. The user assumes responsibility for obtaining permission from the copyright holder to publish or distribute this material. If you would like more information, please contact askhagley@hagley.org

Hagley ID

1970370_71713_Bradway_part2

Other Format (Identifier)

2026_052213_04

PID

islandora:2277592

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