Search Results | Hagley Digital Archives

Title: McNeil-Lewkowitsch patent
Date(s): 1897?, 1897
Contributor(s): Litchfield, Carter (collector), Lewkowitsch, J. (Julius), 1857-1913 (former owner)
Description: Text on verso: 'Dr. J Lewkowitsch, Chemical Engineer, 35 Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C.'
Collection ID: Carter Litchfield photographs and ephemera on the history of fatty materials (Accession 2007.227)
Hagley ID: 2270117
Collection: Carter Litchfield history of fatty materials collections

Title: Hercules Land
Date(s): 1943
Description: Film providing an overview of the ways Hercules Powder Company uses 'Hercules Land,' (i.e. natural products harvested from the company's land), to produce a variety of consumer goods, including cellulose products, terpene and rosin chemicals, synthetics, paper makers chemicals, chemical cotton, and explosives.
Collection ID: Cinecraft Productions films (Accession 2019.227)
Hagley ID: FILM_2019227_FC343
Collection: Cinecraft Productions Films

Title: Tom Umbel interview [transcript]
Date(s): 2020-06-09
Contributor(s): Umbel, Thomas, 1954- (interviewee), Hologic (Firm) (associated name), Spohn, Benjamin (interviewer)
Description: In this interview, Tom Umbel describes his career in the medical imaging industry. Umbel started his career as a chemical engineer for DuPont and as a result of business acquisitions and transfers, he ended up working for Hologic as a business analyst. Umbel details the culture at Hologic and some of the many positive experiences and challenges he had while working there. Umbel also discusses his business relationship with outside groups such as the FDA, RSNA, international businesses, and...
Show moreIn this interview, Tom Umbel describes his career in the medical imaging industry. Umbel started his career as a chemical engineer for DuPont and as a result of business acquisitions and transfers, he ended up working for Hologic as a business analyst. Umbel details the culture at Hologic and some of the many positive experiences and challenges he had while working there. Umbel also discusses his business relationship with outside groups such as the FDA, RSNA, international businesses, and insurance companies.
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Collection ID: Hologic Medical Imaging oral histories (Accession 2020.201)
Hagley ID: 2020201_Umbel_Tom_20200609_transcript
Collection: Hologic Digital Mammography oral histories

Title: Award of modern pioneers medals, Frederick Hovde (1965)
Date(s): 1965
Contributor(s): National Association of Manufacturers (U.S.) (originator), Hovde, Frederick L., 1908-1983 (depicted), Fluor, J. Robert, 1921- (depicted), Waldorf-Astoria Hotel (New York, N.Y.) (event place)
Collection ID: National Association of Manufacturers photographs and audiovisual materials (Accession 1973.418)
Hagley ID: 1973418_005_25_007
Collection: National Association of Manufacturers

Title: Interview with Don Sturgeon, 2014 July 30
Date(s): 2014-07-30
Contributor(s): Sturgeon, Don (interviewee), Smith, John K. (John Kenly), 1951- (interviewer), Oates, Mike (videographer), 302 Stories, Inc. (production company), Eleutherian Mills-Hagley Foundation (originator)
Description: Donald Sturgeon details his work at DuPont evaluating the properties of Kevlar fibers, particularly for their utility in composite structures. He recounts that while the fiber was incredibly strong in tension, it had relatively poor performance in compression. The peculiar features of Kevlar fibers required that Kevlar reinforced products had to be carefully engineered. Initially, DuPont hoped that Kevlar would find a large market as tire cord. When tire manufacturers opted for steel belts in...
Show moreDonald Sturgeon details his work at DuPont evaluating the properties of Kevlar fibers, particularly for their utility in composite structures. He recounts that while the fiber was incredibly strong in tension, it had relatively poor performance in compression. The peculiar features of Kevlar fibers required that Kevlar reinforced products had to be carefully engineered. Initially, DuPont hoped that Kevlar would find a large market as tire cord. When tire manufacturers opted for steel belts in radial tires, DuPont had to find other markets for Kevlar.

Sturgeon further describes his work in developing novel applications for Kevlar. Because Kevlar was difficult to make and process, DuPont had invested an unprecedented $500 million by the mid-1970s. Instead of one large market, DuPont had to develop many smaller applications for Kevlar. Sturgeon worked on developing and promoting weight-saving Kevlar composite materials to the aircraft industry. He was also involved in developing bullet-proof vests and non-cut fabrics. Through these extensive product development and marketing efforts, Kevlar eventually became a profitable product.
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Collection ID: History of Kevlar oral history interviews (Accession 2014.249)
Hagley ID: 2014249_20140730_Sturgeon
Collection: History of Kevlar oral history interviews

Title: Interview with Bob Forney, 2008 September 24
Date(s): 2008-09-24
Contributor(s): Forney, Bob, 1927- (interviewee), Plasky, Joseph G. (interviewer)
Description: Forney's interview chronicles the development of a continuous polymerization process for polyester fibers, including the use of the two-step pre-polymerization process, for the prototype at Seaford and the implementation at Kinston, where he moved to supervise the project. Forney also discusses his experience concerning the development of EFT and his work at Old Hickory as assistant plant manager. He also discusses the modernization of Nylon spinners in Wilmington.
Collection ID: Oral history interviews with former employees of DuPont Company's Textile Fibers Department (Accession 2010.215)
Hagley ID: 2010215_20080924_Forney
Collection: Oral history interviews with former employees of DuPont Company's Textile Fibers Department

Title: Interview with Warren Bruce, 2009 April 06
Date(s): 2009-04-06
Contributor(s): Bruce, Warren, 1930- (interviewee), Plasky, Joseph G. (interviewer)
Description: Interview details period of incremental improvement in fibers; reporting and technical relationships between plants and hierarchy; strengths and weaknesses of DuPont fiber manufacturing process; and technical details about Dacron fibers, nylon type 90, Nandel and AMP-1.
Collection ID: Oral history interviews with former employees of DuPont Company's Textile Fibers Department (Accession 2010.215)
Hagley ID: 2010215_20090406_Bruce
Collection: Oral history interviews with former employees of DuPont Company's Textile Fibers Department

Title: Interview with William Chantry, 2008 August 15
Date(s): 2008-08-15
Contributor(s): Chantry, William, 1924- (interviewee), Plasky, Joseph G. (interviewer)
Description: Chantry's interview includes discussion of his work on patents on tire yarn, in the polyester and nylon and steam jet departments, and his work advising on Nylon in Romania.
Collection ID: Oral history interviews with former employees of DuPont Company's Textile Fibers Department (Accession 2010.215)
Hagley ID: 2010215_20080815_Chantry
Collection: Oral history interviews with former employees of DuPont Company's Textile Fibers Department

Title: Interview with Wayne Wilke, 2009 March 06
Date(s): 2009-03-06
Contributor(s): Wilke, Wayne, 1945- (interviewee), Plasky, Joseph G. (interviewer)
Description: Wilke's interview exemplifies the rise of chemical engineers in the DuPont Company during the "Golden Age of Fibers." Wilke remarks on DuPont's success in Nylon business, the growth of the global business and downturn phases, and his own personal growth and success. Interview also includes technical details about processes and products as well as descriptions of Wilke's experiences working in Germany and Asia. Interview is filled with humorous stories including the annual game hunt on DuPont...
Show moreWilke's interview exemplifies the rise of chemical engineers in the DuPont Company during the "Golden Age of Fibers." Wilke remarks on DuPont's success in Nylon business, the growth of the global business and downturn phases, and his own personal growth and success. Interview also includes technical details about processes and products as well as descriptions of Wilke's experiences working in Germany and Asia. Interview is filled with humorous stories including the annual game hunt on DuPont property in Germany, tipping over in a horse cart with Ed Woolard at the Seaford fiftieth anniversary, and scavenging for "presidential blue" Stainmaster carpet for President George H. W. Bush's visit to the plant.
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Collection ID: Oral history interviews with former employees of DuPont Company's Textile Fibers Department (Accession 2010.215)
Hagley ID: 2010215_20090306_Wilke
Collection: Oral history interviews with former employees of DuPont Company's Textile Fibers Department

Title: Interview with Edwin Z. "Zach" Heafner, 2009 February 23
Date(s): 2009-02-23
Contributor(s): Heafner, Edwin Z., 1936- (interviewee), Plasky, Joseph G. (interviewer)
Description: In his interview, Heafner details the variety of assignments he held including quality control; process development and management; industrial fibers staff assistant to productions manager; business and planning support; site planning; Dacron process supervisor; research, labs and maintenance supervisor for Tyvek, Nomex, Kevlar products; and process safety manager for Kevlar, about which he wrote a book. He also describes a lockout and conflicts with unions in 1965 at Old Hickory. Heafner...
Show moreIn his interview, Heafner details the variety of assignments he held including quality control; process development and management; industrial fibers staff assistant to productions manager; business and planning support; site planning; Dacron process supervisor; research, labs and maintenance supervisor for Tyvek, Nomex, Kevlar products; and process safety manager for Kevlar, about which he wrote a book. He also describes a lockout and conflicts with unions in 1965 at Old Hickory. Heafner discusses the significant changes (technology, management philosophy, etc.) he observed over the course of his 42 year career with DuPont.
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Collection ID: Oral history interviews with former employees of DuPont Company's Textile Fibers Department (Accession 2010.215)
Hagley ID: 2010215_20090223_Heafner
Collection: Oral history interviews with former employees of DuPont Company's Textile Fibers Department

Title: Interview with William H. "Bill" Slack, Jr., 2009 March 27
Date(s): 2009-03-27
Contributor(s): Slack, William H., Jr., 1940- (interviewee), Plasky, Joseph G. (interviewer)
Description: Slack's interview details the development of Dacron, during which his supervisors changed; the development of producer-textured Nylon; challenges during the patent process; why the overseas operation went under; and his involvement in shutting down the Orlon factory.
Collection ID: Oral history interviews with former employees of DuPont Company's Textile Fibers Department (Accession 2010.215)
Hagley ID: 2010215_20090327_Slack
Collection: Oral history interviews with former employees of DuPont Company's Textile Fibers Department

Title: Tom Umbel interview
Date(s): 2020-06-09
Contributor(s): Umbel, Thomas, 1954- (interviewee), Hologic (Firm) (associated name), Spohn, Benjamin (interviewer)
Description: In this interview, Tom Umbel describes his career in the medical imaging industry. Umbel started his career as a chemical engineer for DuPont and as a result of business acquisitions and transfers, he ended up working for Hologic as a business analyst. Umbel details the culture at Hologic and some of the many positive experiences and challenges he had while working there. Umbel also discusses his business relationship with outside groups such as the FDA, RSNA, international businesses, and...
Show moreIn this interview, Tom Umbel describes his career in the medical imaging industry. Umbel started his career as a chemical engineer for DuPont and as a result of business acquisitions and transfers, he ended up working for Hologic as a business analyst. Umbel details the culture at Hologic and some of the many positive experiences and challenges he had while working there. Umbel also discusses his business relationship with outside groups such as the FDA, RSNA, international businesses, and insurance companies.
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Collection ID: Hologic Medical Imaging oral histories (Accession 2020.201)
Hagley ID: 2020201_Umbel_Tom_20200609
Collection: Hologic Digital Mammography oral histories

Title: Interview with Bob Wolffe, 2014 November 15
Date(s): 2014-11-15
Contributor(s): Wolffe, Robert (interviewee), Smith, John K. (John Kenly), 1951- (interviewer), Oates, Michael (videographer), 302 Stories, Inc. (Firm : Wilmington, Del.) (production company), Eleutherian Mills-Hagley Foundation (originator)
Description: Bob Wolffe details his contribution to Kevlar, which primarily involved working with the aircraft industry to develop markets for Kevlar fibers in weight-saving composite materials. Wolffe consulted with aircraft engineers to learn their requirements and made composite materials to meet the industry's specifications. The first applications were for interior, non-structural uses where failure would not jeopardize the safe operation of the aircraft. Over time, DuPont developed significant...
Show moreBob Wolffe details his contribution to Kevlar, which primarily involved working with the aircraft industry to develop markets for Kevlar fibers in weight-saving composite materials. Wolffe consulted with aircraft engineers to learn their requirements and made composite materials to meet the industry's specifications. The first applications were for interior, non-structural uses where failure would not jeopardize the safe operation of the aircraft. Over time, DuPont developed significant domestic and international markets for Kelvar composites in aircraft. Wolffe notes, though, that the most important application was in ballistics.

Wolffe recounts DuPont's efforts during the 1980s to produce its own fabricated composite parts in an effort to move away from being primarily a supplier of Kevlar fabric. Wolffe attributes the failure of this venture to the company underestimating the importance of design and testing of aircraft parts.
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Collection ID: History of Kevlar oral history interviews (Accession 2014.249)
Hagley ID: 2014249_20141115_Wolffe
Collection: History of Kevlar oral history interviews

Title: Interview with E.G. Ackart, 1961 September 14 [audio]
Date(s): 1961-09-14
Contributor(s): Ackart, E. G. (Everett Gunner), 1881-1980 (interviewee), Wilkinson, Norman B. (interviewer)
Description: 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...
Show moreE.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.
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Collection ID: Eleutherian Mills-Hagley Foundation interviews on the history of the DuPont Company Powder Yard (Accession 1970.370)
Hagley ID: 1970370_82613_Ackart
Collection: Oral histories on work and daily life in the Brandywine Valley

Title: Interview with E.K. Bolton, 1961 September 14 [audio]
Date(s): 1961-09-14
Contributor(s): Bolton, Elmer K. (Elmer Keiser), 1886-1968 (interviewee), Wilkinson, Norman B. (interviewer)
Description: Bolton describes his working career and research in the chemical department, studying organic chemistry in Germany at the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute, and the company during World War I. He also describes various colleagues during his career. He also discusses the state of the industry during his career at DuPont, both in the United States and abroad.
Collection ID: Eleutherian Mills-Hagley Foundation interviews on the history of the DuPont Company Powder Yard (Accession 1970.370)
Hagley ID: 1970370_82713_Bolton
Collection: Oral histories on work and daily life in the Brandywine Valley