Interview with E.G. Ackart, 1961 September 14 [audio]

Hagley ID:
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  • Introduction and statement of purpose by the interviewers; Early work and career
    Partial Transcript: "I've been to Hagley... three or four times..."
    Synopsis: [The audio quality is very poor.] Ackart says that he has visited Hagley with friends and family from out of time. The interviewers tell Ackart about their goals with oral history interviews. They then talk about some of the people they already interviewed and a few whom they plan to interview.
    Keywords: Education; Hagley Museum and Library; School
  • Comparing other companies with DuPont
    Partial Transcript: "When I first came was when... it was the Depression.. it was disorganized and when I came it was just booming..."
    Synopsis: Ackart compares working at DuPont with working at other companies. He produces a document that compares starting salaries across some companies. He talks about working at DuPont's Spruance plant and speaks about the Barksdale plant.
    Keywords: Atlas Powder Company; Barksdale plant; E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Company; Money; Salaries; Spruance Plant; Wages
  • 1916 Engineering Department Consolidation; World War I
    Partial Transcript: "It was consolidated...in '16, I think."
    Synopsis: Ackart talks about the 1916 consolidation of the engineering department at DuPont's Barksdale plant. Ackart talks about his job during World War I. Ackart leaves the room to retrieve some photographs. He returns and revisits the Barksdale engineering department. He shows the interviewers a photograph and identifies the people in it. He discusses the activities of the engineering department and details some of their experiments.
    Keywords: Barksdale plant; Du Pont, Pierre S. (Pierre Samuel), 1870-1954; Du Pont, T. Coleman (Thomas Coleman), 1863-1930; Engineering; Nitric acid; Sulfuric acid; World War (1914-1918)
  • Making paint; Experiments
    Partial Transcript: "One of the things that did surprise was they had these barrels with balls in for grinding..."
    Synopsis: Ackart talks about chemistry and paint manufacturing. He offers some of his thoughts on his colleagues in the engineering department.
    Keywords: Chemistry; Industrial engineering; Latex; Latex Paints; Paints
  • Research and development at DuPont
    Partial Transcript: "Most of the, as you...most of the new things that the company did until just before the last war..."
    Synopsis: Ackart discusses development and innovation in materials at DuPont. He describes research and development.
    Keywords: Cellophane; DuPont Experimental Station; Dyes; Engineering; Experimentation; Innovation; Rayon; Research and development; Rubber
  • More on research, development, and engineering
    Partial Transcript: "Yes we had...engineers, back in those days..."
    Synopsis: Ackart discusses the functions of the Engineering department. He references having worked in Canada.
    Keywords: Development; Engineering; Research
  • Decentralization, the engineering department gets its own building in Wilmington
    Partial Transcript: "That was largely a policy of...they thought they had gone as far as they could...there were seven hundred people, they didn't want anymore..."
    Synopsis: Ackart talks about decentralization of DuPont as the engineering department moved out of the city of Wilmington. He compares and contrasts the two world wars.
    Keywords: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company; Smokeless powder; Wilmington (Del.)
Details
Title

Interview with E.G. Ackart, 1961 September 14 [audio]

Date Created

1961-09-14

Abstract

E.G. Ackart recounts his working career at DuPont in his interview. He discusses anecdotes from high school, differences in working for DuPont vs. other companies, the Barksdale plant, and the structure of the engineering department and its consolidation in 1916. He also describes the company during wartime, his various colleagues throughout his working career, the development of industrial engineering, and the relationship between DuPont and General Motors. He also discusses the development of nylon, rayon, and other important materials, including how DuPont's chemists and physicists utilized ideas they found working abroad to create them. He recounts building new plants and his interactions with members of the du Pont family.

Interviewee

Ackart, E. G. (Everett Gunner), 1881-1980

Interviewer

Wilkinson, Norman B.

Note

Poor quality--hum/hiss throughout and the interview is hard to understand;

Subject(s)

Reminiscing
Industrial engineering
Chemical engineers
Chemical engineering
Chemical industry
Chemical plants
Rayon
Chemical industry--Employees

Subject(s) - Name

E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company
General Motors Corporation

Find all items with name(s)

Ackart, E. G. (Everett Gunner), 1881-1980
Wilkinson, Norman B.
E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company
General Motors Corporation

Genre

oral histories

Brand Information

Super-Thin audiotape by Audio Devices Inc., mylar polyester, 2400 ft. x 1/2 mil, type 2431T

Language

English

Type of resource

sound recording-nonmusical

Extent

sound tape reel : 3.75 ips. TRT 1:46:40.

Physical Details

A
1:46:40

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

1970.370.001

Finding Aid

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

Item Location

Box 1, Reel 1

Preferred Citation

[Description and dates], 1970370_82613_Ackart, Box 1, Reel 1, 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_82613_Ackart

PID

islandora:2277786

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