Finding Aids

Dr. Robert C. Forney was a chemical engineer and served as a senior vice president for the DuPont Company. His papers largely document his career with the DuPont Company, his private and public life, artifacts, reports, and include various awards from his career in chemical engineering. Forney's work on redesigning the shuttle rocket booster following the space shuttle Challenger incident is included among his papers.

Because of rampant counterfeiting in the 1860s, Secretary of Treasury Hugh McCulloch (1808-1895) made an unprecedented decision to allow Robert C. Naramore (1829-1895) to photograph legal tender so that the images could be used to detect counterfeit bills. The photographs were published by the American Photograph Company of Bridgeport, Connecticut. This small album has eighteen albumen photographs of U.S. bank notes.

Robert Coleman (1748-1825) was one of the most important ironmasters in Pennsylvania and acquired Elizabeth Furnance near Manheim, Pennsylvania. His papers consists of correspondence, receipts, and miscellany, mostly involving land purchase.

Robert E. Holeton (1911-1962) was an organic chemist at the DuPont Company from 1933 to 1962. He was the District Manager of the Petroleum Chemicals Division from 1954 until his death. From 1947 to 1953, Holeton perfomed "Chemical Magic" shows with a colleague in which they would demonstrate the unusual chemical reactions that can occur in the laboratory. These demonstrations were intentended to promote industrial safety. This small collection of Holeton's papers provides insight into his career as an industrial chemist, and then later as a sales represenative and district manager of the Petroleum Chemical Division. The collection strengths are the documentation related to industrial safety and Holeton's work performing the "Chemical Magic" shows and his time working at the Petroleum Chemical Division. There is a small but interesting set of material related to the Woodstown Civil Defense Council.

Chartered in 1869, the Wilmington & Western Rail Road Company formed to create a rail line connecting Wilmington, Delaware, with Landenberg, Pennsylvania. A non-profit organization, Historic Red Clay Valley, Inc. (HRCV)., formed in 1960 and today operates the line as a heritage railroad. The collection includes eight maps of the line created by the Interstate Commerce Commission in 1918 and two publications concerning the history of both the Wilmington & Western Railroad line and HRCV.

This collection consists of a picture reference file of American automobiles built between 1877 and 1979. Most pictures are illustrations clipped from magazines and other publications, but there are also some postcards, photographs, and ephemera items.

Robert Lenox Belknap (1848-1896) was a capitalist and financier of New York City. The Robert Lenox Belknap papers are a fragment saved by his descendants. The papers include Belknap's private letterbooks for the final years of his career (1892-1895), although 33 earlier volumes have been lost. They include both business and personal correspondence and give a good picture of the life of a New York financier of the second rank.

Robert "Bob" Allan Olodort (1946-2019) was an inventor, industrial designer, and entrepreneur. He is best known for his invention of the "Stowaway," a portable, full-size keyboard that folds up to be pocket-size. It was used for Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) like the Palm Pilot. Olodort invented the first computer label printer, the Smart Label Printer, among many other wireless mobile products. He holds dozens of U.S. and foreign utility and design patents. The Robert Olodort archive documents the industrial design process from both an inventor's and an entrepreneurial standpoint. The collection shows the development of a concept into a final product through product research, notes, correspondence, sketches, mechanical drawings, and prototypes. It provides valuable insight into how proprietary technology can be monetized by patenting and maintaining company relationships through development, licensing, and purchase agreements. The records also document business operations with financial files, board of directors files, and investor files. While none of the record sets are complete, there is a large enough sampling for a researcher to comprehend the complexity of design and business practices.

Robert R. Radcliff (1916-2006) joined E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. as a chemist in 1945. As later division head for new products development at the Rubber Laboratory, later the Elastomers Laboratory at Chestnut Run, his principal achievement was developing the maleimide curing system for making "Hypalon" artificial rubber. The papers in this collection are a small selection of professional materials preserved by Dr. Radcliff and his family.

Robert W. Sarnoff (1918-1997), son of RCA founder David Sarnoff, became president of NBC in 1956 and succeeded his father as president of RCA in 1965. This collection consists of films, videos and sound recordings dating from 1953 to 1979 documenting the life and career of Robert W. Sarnoff. The collection has been organized into six series: Events, Meetings, Press and media coverage, Speeches, Travel, and General.

Robert B. Watson (1931-) was a mechanical engineer who worked on the development of high-speed trains between 1966 and 1998. This collection consists of photographs related to railroads in Pennsylvania and New York, dating from the late nineteenth century through the mid-twentieth century.

Roberta S. Brown (dates private) is the president of Sassafras River Associates, LLC, an energy consulting and investment firm. She previously spent twenty-four years with Pepco Holdings, Inc. subsidiaries Delmarva Power, Pepco, and Conectiv, Inc., ultimately serving as vice president of transmission. Delmarva Power and Light Company is a regulated energy company that provides electricity and natural gas services to customers in the Delmarva Peninsula. Conectiv, Inc. is a holding company formed in 1998 by the merger of Atlantic Electric Incorporated and Delmarva Power and Light Company, two large regional power utilities that supplied southern New Jersey and the Delmarva Peninsula. In 2002, Potomac Electric Power Company (Pepco) acquired Conectiv, Inc. and created Pepco Holdings, Inc., a holding company that owned both Conectiv and Delmarva Power. This is a small collection of Brown's papers from her time as vice president at the Delmarva Power and Light Company and Conectiv, Inc. Most of the files are from Delmarva Power and Light Company, primarily original images from their employee newsletter. There are also many booklets about power-generating stations from various utility companies. The collection is arranged in three series: Delmarva Power and Light Company files; Conectiv files; and Electric industry trade publications.

Rockland is an unincorporated old mill village in New Castle County, Delaware, and was later surrounded by du Pont family estates. The collection contains twelve edited oral history transcripts by Mary Laird Silvia (1938-2013) with people who lived in Rockland.

Rolf Dessauer (1926-) was a research chemist who specialized in dyes. He began a lengthy career with E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company in 1952 as a research chemist at Jackson Laboratory, DuPont’s center for dye research. Dessauer invented chemistry in which exposure to visible light stabilized the background enabling dark and light areas to retain their contrast. Intense research and patent studies led Dessauer and his colleagues to a new technology, UVI – Ultraviolet Imaging. Dessauer's papers document his career as a noted scientist and chemist.

Roller skating was a popular recreational hobby between 1935 through the 1970s. Starting in the early 1940s, a handful of enterprising roller skating rink owners looking for a way to promote their rinks began giving away colorful stickers printed with the name of the rink and a skating-related graphic. This collection primarily consists of roller staking rink stickers from various states in the United States and Canada. There are a few photographs of skaters and correspondence about sticker trading.

The collection consists of official documents produced or used by Ronald DeGraw during his career as a public transit official and transit consultant, materials from pre-SEPTA operators of the Philadelphia transit system that he preserved from loss or destruction, research materials that he amassed for writing his published and projected books, and photographs and ephemera collected out of his interest in the history of transit systems, particularly electric traction lines or what came to be called light rail transit.

Established in 1915, the Rotary Club of Wilmington was dedicated to community service, and one of its most important functions was to provide educational support. Their records consist primarily of minutes, newsletters, and documentation on the club's student loan and scholarship programs.

Aloysius F. Rowe (1905-1940) worked for the New Bridge Station followed by the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad for eighteen years, he then was employed by the DuPont Company. This collection includes eight copy photographic prints of Rowe family photographs, featuring large group portraits in unidentified settings, presumably the Village of Henry Clay area.

Roy J. Plunkett (1910-1994) was the discoverer of Teflon, while working as a chemist at the DuPont Company. Plunkett's laboratory notebook documents the discovery of Teflon at DuPont's Jackson Laboratory in 1938. The notebook documents the experiments that led to the effective control of the rapid and explosive polymerization of tetrafluoroethylene gas into a solid polymer.

Royal Earl House (1814-1895) was an American inventor who patented an electic telegraph that could print Roman character letters and an electro-phonetic receiver for use in telegraphy. The collection is comprised of twenty-nine letters to House regarding his suit against the Bell monopoly for the phonetic telegraph, from 1885 to 1891.

R.R. Wright (1913-2009) was an employee of the RCA Corporation, one of the country's leading manufacturers and vendors of radios, televisions, and consumer electronics products. This is a small collection of ephemera Wright preserved throughout his thirty-three year long career with the company. Included are sample publications, manuals, stationery and small artifacts with RCA logos or advertising.

Rubbermaid Incorporated is an American manufacturer and distributor of many household items. The collection is comprised of a public relations file consisting mostly of clippings and tear sheets, generally notices of the company in local papers and the trade press. Most deal with company performance, organizational culture, and personnel changes, with particular notices of Stanley C. Gault (1926-2016), CEO from 1980 to 1991.

This print is an aerial photograph showing the full expanse of the Rudolph Wurlitzer Manufacturing Company factory in North Tonawanda, New York. The company initially imported musical instruments from Europe, but moved into manufacturing instruments by 1880. Shortly after the turn of the century, Wurlitzer moved to North Tonawanda, New York. By 1934 it had produced the first jukebox. In 1973, Wurlitzer sold its jukebox brand to a German company and closed the North Tonawanda factory.

E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company was established as a black powder manufacturer in 1802 by Pierre Samuel du Pont de Nemours (1739-1817) and his son Eleuthère Irénée du Pont (1771-1834). The du Pont’s purchased a mill site on the banks of the Brandywine River just North of Wilmington, Delaware. This collection contains nineteen photographs of DuPont Company explosives plants, including Hagley Yard, Eleutherian Mills yard, possibly Wapwallopen, and the Pennsylvania plant.

Ruth (Bury) Leverenz (1912-2006) was a top Avon Sales Representative for twenty years, from 1958 to 1978. Avon Products, Inc. is a manufacturer and direct selling company of beauty products. For many years Leverenz was the number one sales representative in her district and won numerous sales campaigns. During Leverenz's time as an Avon Representative, she compiled sixty pages of historical communications from the company into a scrapbook. The collection provides insight into methods of direct selling, the daily work of an Avon representative, and the experience of women in small business.

Lammot du Pont (1831-1884) was a chemist and inventor, he was the grandson of Eleuthere Irenee du Pont (1771-1834), founder of E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, more commonly known as the DuPont Company. This collection contains photographs of Brandywine, Hagley area, and the family of Lammot du Pont and Mary Belin du Pont (1839-1913).

Sally Rand (1904-1979) was a burlesque dancer, most well-known for her performances of the "bubble dance" and the "fan dance." This item is a publicity photograph showing Sally Rand and her fans.

Sally Rand (1904-1979) was a burlesque dancer, most well-known for her performances of the "bubble dance" and the "fan dance." The Century of Progress International Exposition was held along Lake Michigan and Northerly Island Park in Chicago, Illinois, from May 27, 1933, to October 31, 1934. The theme was "Science Finds, Industry Applies, Man Conforms."This small collection consists of eight copy prints made from photographs of Sally Rand's Fan Dance which she performed at the Summer of 1933 at the Chicago World's Fair.

Henry A. Goffe (1846-1906) was a stationer and engraver who operated his business in Albany, New York in the 1880s. This item is a bound sample book of wedding invitations, envelopes, and visiting cards.

The architectural firm of Victorine & Samuel Homsey, Inc. was founded in Wilmington, Delaware, in 1935. It was one of the first husband-and-wife architectural practices in the U.S.

Samuel Francis du Pont (1803-1865) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy and fought in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. He was the fourth child and second surviving son of Victor Marie du Pont (1767-1827) and his wife, Gabrielle Joséphine de la Fite de Pelleport (1770-1837). The collection contains two membership certificates from the U.S. Naval Lyceum and the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions.

Samuel Francis du Pont (1803-1865) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy and fought in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. He was the fourth child and second surviving son of Victor Marie du Pont (1767-1827) and his wife, Gabrielle Joséphine de la Fite de Pelleport (1770-1837). The letter is writing to inform an unidentified captain of Naval surgeon John S. Wiley's death.

Samuel Francis du Pont (1803-1865) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy and fought in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. He was the fourth child and second surviving son of Victor Marie du Pont (1767-1827) and his wife, Gabrielle Joséphine de la Fite de Pelleport (1770-1837). These two items are related to his service in the Navy, one a letter concerning his business interests in California, and one report regarding rotten gun breechings.

Samuel Francis du Pont (1803-1865) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy and fought in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. He was the fourth child and second surviving son of Victor Marie du Pont (1767-1827) and his wife, Gabrielle Joséphine de la Fite de Pelleport (1770-1837). Letter, with envelope, from John G. Lawton to du Pont transmitting model of a ship rudder.

Samuel Francis du Pont (1803-1865) was a RearAdmiral in the United States Navy and fought in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. He was the fourth child and second surviving son of Victor Marie du Pont (1767-1827) and his wife, Gabrielle Joséphine de la Fite de Pelleport (1770-1837). The three page letter written to an unidentified colonel discusses the opening of the Crystal Palace in New York as part of the "Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations" World's Fair.

Samuel Francis du Pont (1803-1865) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy and fought in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. He was the fourth child and second surviving son of Victor Marie du Pont (1767-1827) and his wife, Gabrielle Joséphine de la Fite de Pelleport (1770-1837). The letter to Andrew Hull Foote (1806-1863) says du Pont is enclosing autographs of members of the Japanese Embassy, although the enclosures are missing.

Samuel Francis du Pont (1803-1865) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy and fought in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. The letter from du Pont to John E. Hoey (1837-1896) concerns the transport of invalid seamen northfrom from the South Atlantic Bloackade Squadron.

Samuel Francis du Pont (1803-1865) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy and fought in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. He was the fourth child and second surviving son of Victor Marie du Pont (1767-1827) and his wife, Gabrielle Joséphine de la Fite de Pelleport (1770-1837). The letter from du Pont to Charles Wilkes (1798-1877) expresses regret over news of Wilkes being court-martialed.

Samuel Francis du Pont (1803-1865) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy and fought in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. The letter from du Pont to George H. Stuart (1816-1890) is declining an invitation to speak as a Navy representative at an anniversary celebration of the Christian Commission.

Samuel Francis du Pont (1803-1865) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy and fought in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. The letter from du Pont to Navy Officer, Gustavus Vasa Fox (1821-1883) discusses the possibility of saltpeter shortage in the Union in the early years of the Civil War.

Samuel Francis du Pont (1803-1865) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy and fought in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. He was the fourth child and second surviving son of Victor Marie du Pont (1767-1827) and his wife, Gabrielle Joséphine de la Fite de Pelleport (1770-1837). The letter to John A. Dahlgren (1809-1870) is seeking his opinion in regard to a small steam cutter, Altheron, available for purchase.

Samuel Francis du Pont (1803-1865) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy and fought in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. The letter to Major General David Hunter (1802-1886) asks for permission to see three deserters from the Confederate States Navy.

Samuel Francis du Pont (1803-1865) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy and fought in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. He was the fourth child and second surviving son of Victor Marie du Pont (1767-1827) and his wife, Gabrielle Joséphine de la Fite de Pelleport (1770-1837). The letter from du Pont to R.C. Winthrop (1809-1894) includes an invitation to visit.

Samuel Francis du Pont (1803-1865) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy and fought in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. He was the fourth child and second surviving son of Victor Marie du Pont (1767-1827) and his wife, Gabrielle Joséphine de la Fite de Pelleport (1770-1837). The letter to Senator James A. Bayard (1799-1880) is upon arrival of the USS Minnesota, which was commanded by du Pont, in Hong Kong.

Samuel Francis du Pont (1803-1865) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy and fought in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. He was the fourth child and second surviving son of Victor Marie du Pont (1767-1827) and his wife, Gabrielle Joséphine de la Fite de Pelleport (1770-1837). The letter from du Pont to Theodore Sedwick (1811-1859) concerning administrative arrangements for an exhibit du Pont was superintendent at the World's Fair in New York.

Samuel Francis du Pont (1803-1865) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy and fought in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. He was the fourth child and second surviving son of Victor Marie du Pont (1767-1827) and his wife, Gabrielle Joséphine de la Fite de Pelleport (1770-1837). The collection contains two letters written to Oscar B. Sawyer (1838-1887) and Ben Perley Poore (1820-1887).

Samuel Francis du Pont (1803-1865) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy and fought in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. He was the fourth child and second surviving son of Victor Marie du Pont (1767-1827) and his wife, Gabrielle Joséphine de la Fite de Pelleport (1770-1837). These five photocopied letters are related to his term in the Navy, four from his time in the Pacific, and one dealing with the South Atlantic blockade during the Civil War.

Samuel Francis du Pont (1803-1865) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy and fought in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. Andrew Hull Foote (1806-1863) was a Rear-Admiral in the United States Navy and fought in the Civil War and contributed to several naval reforms prior to the war. This collection consists of two letters, one from Samuel Francis du Pont to Foote in regards forwarding misdirected mail, as both were commanding ships in the China Sea. The second letter is from du Pont's father to a Naval Officer about Samuel Francis du Pont's experience aboard a ship.

Samuel Francis du Pont (1803-1865) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy and fought in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. He was the fourth child and second surviving son of Victor Marie du Pont (1767-1827) and his wife, Gabrielle Joséphine de la Fite de Pelleport (1770-1837). These three photocopy letters are related to his term in the Navy, one from his early career in 1820 and two letters from 1863 during the Civil War.

Samuel Francis du Pont (1803-1865) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy and fought in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. He was the fourth child and second surviving son of Victor Marie du Pont (1767-1827) and his wife, Gabrielle Joséphine de la Fite de Pelleport (1770-1837). The collection contains an original letter and photocopies of letters regarding cost for Abraham Hart (1810-1885) publishing an essay by Henry Winter Davis (1817-1865) on the doctrine of intervention and non-intervention in diplomacy and international affairs.