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E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, finishes facilities and retail paint stores album

Creation: 1935-1971
 Collection
Accession: 2023-223

Abstract

E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company is a chemical company more commonly referred to as the DuPont Company. The Fabrics and Finishes Department produced DuPont's consumer lines of paints and finishes. Duco was a durable, quick-drying lacquer used for appliances. It was the standard finish for GM vehicles. Dulux was glossier, which made it more popular than Duco. Lucite paint was introduced in the 1950s and was less expensive and more durable than its predecessors. This small collection consists of one album of photographs of finishes facilities (i.e., Refinish Service Warehouses/wholesale) and retail paint stores.

Dates

  • Creation: 1935-1971

Creator

Extent

1 volume(s)

Physical Description

1 album (3-ring binder) containing 128 photographic prints : b&w ; 8 x 10 in. 21 photographic prints : color ; 8 x 10 in. 1 photographic print : b&w ; 5 x 7 in. 1 photographic print : color ; 5 x 7 in. Materials have been removed from binder for preservation purposes. Binder has not been retained.

Historical Note

E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company is a chemical company more commonly referred to as the DuPont Company. The Fabrics and Finishes Department produced DuPont's consumer lines of paints and finishes; antifreezes; automotive, household, and marine supplies; lawn and garden products; sponges; and various small specialty items.

Lucite was developed in 1931. Because Lucite is clear and transparent, it is used as a glass substitute and in lenses, medical and dental applications, and paints. Lucite was eventually used in paints for automotive finishes. Lucite paint replaced the Duco and Dulux paints, which DuPont had created in 1920 and 1926, respectively. Duco was a durable, quick-drying lacquer used for appliances. It was the standard finish for GM vehicles. Dulux was glossier, which made it more popular than Duco. Lucite paint was introduced in the 1950s and was less expensive and more durable than its predecessors.

In the 1960s, Lucite paints were marketed as interior and exterior house paint. Increased competition throughout the 1970s caused Lucite house paint manufacturing to cease completely by 1983.

Scope and Contents

This small collection comprises one album of photographs of finishes facilities (i.e., Refinish Service Warehouses/wholesale) and retail paint stores. The images are primarily exterior views of the buildings; there are some views of display windows, interiors showing product displays, and occasionally interiors showing warehouse and office space views.

The facilities are arranged in alphabetical order by the name of the city. The album contents' original order has been maintained, although the photographs have been removed from the binder for preservation purposes. The binder has not been retained. The album's yellow dividers have been replaced with archival paper dividers.

There are facilities from thirty-three cities (including Washington, D.C.) in twenty-two states; images date from 1935 to 1971, and many are undated.

Access Restrictions

No restrictions on access; this collection is open for research.

Language of Materials

English

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title:
E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, finishes facilities and retail paint stores album
Author:
Laurie Sather
Date:
2023
Description rules:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description:
English
Script of description:
Latin

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Audiovisual Collections Repository

Contact:
PO Box 3630
Wilmington Delaware 19807 USA
302-658-2400