Walter S. Carpenter, Jr. (1915 corporation), 1926-1975
Part of collection: E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company twentieth century records (0500-II)
Dates
- Creation: 1926-1975
Biographical Note
Walter S. Carpenter, Jr., was born in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, on January 8, 1888. He graduated from Wyoming Seminary in 1906 and entered Cornell University. He left in 1910 in the middle of his senior year when he was hired by the E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. to go to Chile in connection with the nitrate business. After several years, he came to Wilmington as the Director of the Development Department. He was elected as director and vice president in 1919, and in 1926 he was named vice chairman of the executive committee. Carpenter was president of the company from 1940 to 1947 and chairman of the board from 1948 to 1962. Carpenter was also a director of the General Motors Corp. (GM) from 1929 to 1954 and served on the GM finance committee from 1932 to 1944. Walter Carpenter died in Wilmington, Delaware, on February 2, 1976.
Scope and Contents
Walter Carpenter's business papers document his career with DuPont as chairman of the finance committee (1930-1940), president (1940-1947), and chairman of the board (1948-1962).
The series documents the DuPont Company's diversification during these years as it allocated an increasing share of its resources to synthetic fibers, plastics, and neoprene. The papers also describe the DuPont Company's response to the Depression of the 1930s and the Second World War, as well as to the antitrust investigations, which focused on its relationship with General Motors and its alleged monopolization of the cellophane industry. The papers also include information on the Nye Committee's investigation of the munitions industry (1931-1934). The DuPont Company's involvement in the U.S. Atomic Energy Program during the Second World War and its role in developing the Hanford Works is well described.
The largest single group of papers describes Carpenter's work with General Motors, including his role as both a member of the board of directors and the finance committee. There is a good deal of material on the financial strategies of GM and its post-World War II executive reorganization.
Extent
From the Collection: 416.25 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Additional Description
Access Restrictions
No restrictions on access; this collection is open for research.
Repository Details
Repository Details
Part of the Manuscripts and Archives Repository
