Subsidiary companies' records, 1872-1952
Part of collection: E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company twentieth century records (0500-II)
Dates
- Creation: 1872-1952
Historical Note
After its 1902 incorporation and reorganization, the DuPont Company acquired control over more than 90% of the American explosives industry. Between 1903 and 1906, as part of an effort to improve the company's high explosives products (dynamite and smokeless powder), DuPont established two scientific laboratories, Eastern Laboratory in Gibbstown, New Jersey (1905), and the Experimental Station in Wilmington (1903). By 1909, however, government threats to break up the "powder trust" and growing competition pushed the company toward diversification. Research brought the company into celluloid, plastics, rayon, cellophane, paints, and dyestuffs. During the 1920s and 1930s, DuPont set up subsidiary companies to produce and market these products. Many were later brought into the parent company in relevant departments.
Scope and Contents
Subsidiary companies' records contain the administrative records (minutes of stockholder and board of director meetings, contracts, agreements, by-laws, and stock registers) of twenty-nine subsidiary companies that were established by DuPont in the two decades after the First World War. Included are records of Du Pont Viscoloid; Du Pont Cellophane; Du Pont Fabrikoid; Du Pont Rayon; Du Pont Ammonia Corporation; Du Pont International Powder Company; Hotel Du Pont; Du Pont-Nobel Company; and Du Pont Securities Co. Also included are some records from the Gunpowder Trade Association (articles of agreement, Advisory Committee minutes, dynamite price agreements, syndicate ledgers, and statement of sales) 1872-1903. A letter among the records of the Du Pont Viscoloid Company concerns the use of Pyralin for the windows of Charles Lindbergh's plane, Spirit of St. Louis.
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
