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Leo H. Baekeland Papers

Creator:
Baekeland, L. H. (Leo Hendrik), 1863-1944  Search this
Names:
Bakelite Corporation  Search this
Nepera Chemical Co.  Search this
Extent:
15 Cubic feet (49 boxes)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Professional papers
Clippings
Laboratory notes
Personal correspondence
Photographs
Notebooks
Diaries
Date:
1976
1863 - 1968
Summary:
The papers document Leo H. Baekeland, a Belgian born chemist who invented Velox photographic paper (1893) and Bakelite (1907), an inexpensive, nonflammable, versatile plastic. The papers include student notebooks; private laboratory notebooks and journals; commercial laboratory notes; diaries; patents; technical papers; biographies; newspaper clippings; maps; graphs; blueprints; account books; batch books; formula books; order books; photographs; and correspondence regarding Baekeland, 1887-1943.
Scope and Contents:
Baekeland documented his life prolifically through diaries, laboratory notebooks, photographs, and correspondence. These constitute the bulk of the collection. The Bakelite company history is also incompletely documented in this collection through Baekeland's correspondence, the commercial laboratory notebooks, and some company ledgers.
Arrangement:
Series 1: Reference Materials, 1863-1868 and undated

Subseries 1.1: Biographical, 1880-1965

Subseries 1.2:Company History, 1910-1961

Subseries 1.3: Related Interests, 1863-1968 and undated

Series 2: Published and Unpublished Writings (by Leo H. Baekeland), 1884-1945

Series 3: Correspondence, 1888-1963 Subseries 3.1: Personal Correspondence, 1916-1943

Subseries 3.2: Charitable Donations, 1916-1938

Subseries 3.3: Family Correspondence, 1888-1963

Subseries 3.4: Clubs and Associations, 1916-1943

Series 4: Diaries, 1907-1943

Series 5: Reading and Lecture Notes, 1878-1886

Series 6, Laboratory Notebooks, 1893-1915

Series 7: Commercial Laboratory Notebooks, 1910-1920

Series 8: Bakelite Company, 1887-1945

Series 9, Patents, 1894-1940

Series 10: Bakelite Corporation Ledgers, 1910-1924; 1935; 1939

Series 11: Photographs, 1889-1950 and undated

Subseries 11.1: Photographs, 1889-1950 and undated

Subseries 11.2: Film Negatives, 1900-1941 and undated

Subseries 11.3: Photoprints, 1894-1941

Subseries 11.4: Stereographs, 1888-1902 and undated

Subseries 11.5: Film and Glass Plate Negatives, 1899-1900 and undated

Series 12: Audio Materials, 1976
Biographical / Historical:
Leo Hendrik Baekeland was an industrial chemist famous for his invention of Bakelite, the first moldable synthetic polymer, and for his invention of Velox photographic paper. Baekeland's career as an inventor and innovator was punctuated by an urge to improve existing technologies and a willingness to experiment both meticulously and daringly. Born in Ghent, Belgium in 1863, Baekeland was a distinguished chemistry student and became a young professor at the University of Ghent. He had a long standing interest in photography and sought to further photographic technology with his expertise in chemistry. In 1887 he obtained his first patent for a dry plate which contained its own developer and could be developed in a tray of water. With the support of a business partner/faculty associate, Jules Guequier, he formed a company named Baekeland et Cie to produce the plate, but the venture failed due to lack of capital.

On August 8, 1889, he married Celine Swarts, daughter of his academic mentor Theodore Swarts, Dean of the Faculty of Sciences at the University of Ghent. After his wedding he travelled to different countries using a traveling scholarship he had been awarded two years previously. His travels ended in the United States where he was offered a job researching chemical problems associated with manufacturing bromide papers and films with A. and H.T. Anthony and Company, a photographic supply producer. Leo and Celine Baekeland had three children: George, Nina and Jenny (1890-1895).

He left Anthony and Company in 1891 to be a consulting chemist. During that time he invented a photographic print paper using silver chloride which could be developed in artificial light instead of sunlight and thus offered more flexibility and consistency to photographers. In 1893, with financial support from Leonard Jacobi, a scrap metal dealer from San Francisco, he formed the Nepera Chemical Company in Yonkers, New York, to manufacture "gaslight" paper under the trade name Velox. The paper became quite popular and the company expanded its operations after its first three years. Finally, George Eastman bought the company for a reported $750,000 which afforded Baekeland the time to conduct his own research in a laboratory he set up on his estate, "Snug Rock," in Yonkers.

Baekeland worked on problems of electrolysis of salt and the production of synthetic resins. He was hired as a consultant to work with Clinton P. Townsend to perfect Townsend's patented electrolytic cell. Baekeland's work there contributed to the success of the Hooke Electrochemical Company which began in operations in Niagara Falls in 1905.

Simultaneously, in 1902 Baekeland began researching reactions of phenol and formaldehyde, and by 1907 was able to control the reactions and produce a moldable plastic (oxybenzylmethylenglycolanhydride) which he named Bakelite. Although the process was not perfected for another couple of years, Baekeland applied for a patent for Bakelite right away. He announced his discovery to the scientific community in 1909, and in 1910 formed the General Bakelite Company. Bakelite was a thermosetting resin that, unlike Celluloid became permanently solid when heated. It was virtually impervious to heat, acids, or caustic substances. It could be molded into a wide variety of shapes and was an excellent electric insulator that came to replace hard rubber and amber for electrical and industrial applications. It was also suitable for a wide variety of consumer products such as billiard balls, jewelry, pot handles, telephones, toasters, electric plugs, and airplane instrument knobs. Two companies challenged Bakelite with significant competition, Condensite Corporation of America and Redmanol Chemical Products Company. Bakelite finally merged with these two companies in 1922 to become the Bakelite Corporation. Union Carbide finally bought the corporation in 1939.

Baekeland sustained his interest in photography by taking numerous photographs throughout his lifetime. He also devoted much of his spare time to professional societies and received various honorary degrees and awards such as the Perkin Medal. He had several hobbies such as boating, wine and beer making, and, exotic plants. He also traveled extensively throughout the world, which is documented in his diaries and photographs.

Baekeland spent his final years mostly in his Coconut Grove, Florida home where he became increasingly eccentric until his mind failed him and he was institutionalized. He died in 1943 at the age of eighty.

Scope and Content: Baekeland documented his life prolifically through diaries, laboratory notebooks, photographs, and correspondence. These constitute the bulk of the collection. The Bakelite company history is also incompletely documented in this collection through Baekeland's correspondence, the commercial laboratory notebooks, and some company ledgers.
Related Materials:
Materials in the Archives Center

Albany Billiard Ball Company Records (AC0011)

Celluloid Corporation Records (AC0009)

J. Harry DuBois Collection on the History of Plastics (AC0008)

Materials at Other Organizations

The Hagley Museum and Library, Manuscripts and Archives Department in Delaware also several related collections including: the Directors of Industrial Research Records, 1929 -982; the Du Pont Viscoloid Company, Survey of the Plastics Field, 1932; The Society of the Plastics Industry, 1937-1987; the Roy J. Plunkett Collection, 1910-1994 (inventor of Teflon); and the Gordon M. Kline Collection, 1903.
Separated Materials:
The National Museum of American History, Division Medicine and Science has several artifacts associated with Baekeland including the original "Bakalizer" the apparatus in which Bakelite was first made. See accession numbers: 1977.0368; 1979.1179; 1981.0976; 1982.0034; 1983.0524; 1984.0138.
Provenance:
The bulk of the collection was donated to the National Museum of American History's Division of Physical Sciences in November, 1981, by Celine Karraker, Leo H. Baekeland's granddaughter.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Phenolic resins  Search this
Travel -- Photographs  Search this
Chemists -- 1880-1970  Search this
Inventors -- 1880-1970  Search this
Plastics -- 1880-1970  Search this
Chemistry  Search this
Genre/Form:
Professional papers -- 1880-1970
Clippings -- 1880-1970
Laboratory notes
Personal correspondence -- 1880-1970
Photographs -- Black-and-white negatives -- Glass -- 19th-20th century
Notebooks -- 1880-1970
Diaries -- 1880-1970
Photographs -- Black-and-white photoprints -- Silver gelatin -- 19th-20th century
Photographs -- Black-and-white negatives -- Nitrate -- 19th-20th century
Citation:
Leo Baekeland Papers, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
Identifier:
NMAH.AC.0005
See more items in:
Leo H. Baekeland Papers
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep846e88df6-033d-4805-99e2-b308002a75f4
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-nmah-ac-0005
Online Media:

J. Harry DuBois Collection on the History of Plastics

Creator:
DuBois, J. Harry, 1903-1986  Search this
Names:
Bakelite Corporation  Search this
Boonton Rubber Company.  Search this
Charles Burroughs Co.  Search this
Dow Chemical Company  Search this
General Electric Company  Search this
Mybroy Ceramics Corporation.  Search this
Shaw Insulator Company.  Search this
Former owner:
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Physical Sciences  Search this
Extent:
2.66 Cubic feet (8 boxes)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Catalogs
Date:
circa 1900-circa 1975
Summary:
J. Harry DuBois (1903-1986) was an industrial consultant in the field of petrochemicals and plastics. In 1927 at General Electric his studies resulted in extending the use of laminated plastics.
Scope and Contents:
This collection of trade catalogs, research reports, correspondence, photographs, and other historical material relating to the plastics industry was donated by J. Harry DuBois.

Included are trade catalogues of the General Bakelite Company, Bakelite Corporation, and competitors in the plastics industry in the 1920's and 1930's, including Dow Chemical and General Electric; material relating to the Boonton Rubber Company, including Richard W. Seabury's notebooks, 1911-1923; memoranda of 1916, 1918, 1923, and 1926 concerning the history of Boonton's early use of Bakelite for molded products; catalogues, photographs, and a blueprint of a 1897 hydraulic press from Charles Burroughs Company; research reports, 1925-1932, of Sigfreid Higgins, on mechanical development research at the Bakelite Corporation; reports on sales development research, 1941-1946, at the Bakelite Corporation; experimental notes, correspondence on possible patents and other materials concerning the use of Bakelite and rubber for printing plates; reports, notes, and and miscellaneous photographs on the history of the plastics industry; Zylonite trade catalogues, pre-1900; and Recto trademark patent and patent drawing.
Arrangement:
The collection is arranged into six series.

Series 1: Bakelite Catalogs, 1910-1944

Series 2: Plastics Trade Catalogs, circa 1920-1953

Series 3: Boonton Rubber Co., 1911-1974

Series 4: Charles Burroughs Co., 1879-1929

Series 5: Sigfried Higgins and Bakelite Printing Plates, 1925-1959

Series 6: Plastic Publications and miscellaneous Materials, circa 1890-1975
Biographical / Historical:
J. Harry DuBois (1903-1986) was an industrial consultant in the field of petrochemicals and plastics. DuBois began his career in the plastics industry at General Electric in 1927. His studies resulted in extending the use of laminated plastics. In GE's molding division he pioneered work on compression molded acetates, injection molding, radomes and low pressure laminates. In 1944 he became vice president of Shaw Insulator Company. He also worked at Plax Corporation, Mycalex Corporation of America and Tech Art Plastics. In 1972 he was president of Mybroy Ceramics Corporation. A member of the Society of the Plastics Industry and the Society of Plastics Engineers, DuBois collected much of this material while writing his book, Plastics History U.S.A, published in 1972 by Cahner Publishing Company of Boston.
Related Materials:
Materials at Other Organizations

Syracuse University Libraries, Special Collections Research Center

J. Harry DuBois Papers, 1940-1943

Collection consists of the personal and professional papers of J. Harry DuBois, covering his long career in the plastics industry. It includes scrapbooks and photograph albums of his family and world-wide travel for business, photographs and slides, and audio and film reels.
Provenance:
The collection was donated by J.H. Dubois in 1981.
Restrictions:
The collection is open for research.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Plastics -- Molding  Search this
Plastics  Search this
Petroleum chemicals  Search this
Chemistry  Search this
Genre/Form:
Catalogs -- 1910-1960
Citation:
J. Harry Dubois Collection of the History of Plastics, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Identifier:
NMAH.AC.0008
See more items in:
J. Harry DuBois Collection on the History of Plastics
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8cdb663ea-2edd-49ee-8bcc-91c986b21592
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-nmah-ac-0008
Online Media:

Bakelite Catalogs

Collection Creator:
DuBois, J. Harry, 1903-1986  Search this
Container:
Box 1
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1910-1944
Scope and Contents:
Includes Trade Catalogs and advertisements for the General Bakelite Company and The Bakelite Corporation, dating from 1910 to 1944. Product line catalogs include: Luxene; Bakelite Lacquer; Bakelite Varnish; Bakelite Laminated; Gifts to Treasure; Bakelite Synthetic Resins; Bakelite Molding. Also included is a pamphlet, "Bakelite Information Number One", published by General Bakelite Co. in November 1910.
Collection Restrictions:
The collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
J. Harry Dubois Collection of the History of Plastics, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Identifier:
NMAH.AC.0008, Series 1
See more items in:
J. Harry DuBois Collection on the History of Plastics
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8a99715bf-adcb-4af5-b450-102c1e38073d
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0008-ref10

Research Reports

Collection Creator:
DuBois, J. Harry, 1903-1986  Search this
Container:
Box 5, Folder 1
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1925-1932
Scope and Contents:
Includes Research Reports of Sigfried Higgins, who was the Research Head of the Mechanical Development Division of the Bakelite Corporation. The reports are dated 1925 1932.
Collection Restrictions:
The collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
J. Harry Dubois Collection of the History of Plastics, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
See more items in:
J. Harry DuBois Collection on the History of Plastics
J. Harry DuBois Collection on the History of Plastics / Series 5: Sigfried Higgins & Bakelite Printing Plates
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8f627941d-2aa3-4321-8a2b-13c73ad683dd
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0008-ref24

From 9 to 32 operations eliminated - cost reduced 40 per cent [advertisement]

Topic:
Bakelite
Names:
Bakelite Corporation  Search this
Collection Creator:
DuBois, J. Harry, 1903-1986  Search this
Extent:
1 Item (12.2" x 8.9".)
Container:
Box 1, Folder 4
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1926
Scope and Contents:
Advertisement illustrates Bakelite parts for a Reconnaissance Transit and contains reprinted article from April 1926, Factory
Local Numbers:
AC0008-0000002.tif (AC Scan No.)
Collection Restrictions:
The collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Plastics industry and trade  Search this
Collection Citation:
J. Harry Dubois Collection of the History of Plastics, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
See more items in:
J. Harry DuBois Collection on the History of Plastics
J. Harry DuBois Collection on the History of Plastics / Series 1: Bakelite Catalogs
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8b8c68314-c54f-4bfb-84db-98b62f95b728
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0008-ref548

What Lamson gained hrough changing to a Bakelite Pulley [advertisement]

Topic:
Bakelite
Names:
Bakelite Corporation  Search this
Collection Creator:
DuBois, J. Harry, 1903-1986  Search this
Extent:
1 Item (12.2" x 8.9".)
Container:
Box 1, Folder 4
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1926
Scope and Contents:
Advertisement illustrates Bakelite pulley for Lamson Cash Carrier and contains reprinted article from July 1926, Factory
Local Numbers:
AC0008-0000003.tif (AC Scan No.)
Collection Restrictions:
The collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Plastics industry and trade  Search this
Collection Citation:
J. Harry Dubois Collection of the History of Plastics, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
See more items in:
J. Harry DuBois Collection on the History of Plastics
J. Harry DuBois Collection on the History of Plastics / Series 1: Bakelite Catalogs
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8520430b0-02d7-4a82-81cd-bb3830949a4d
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0008-ref549

[Electric vibrator and fishing reel, catalog page]

Names:
Bakelite Corporation  Search this
Collection Creator:
DuBois, J. Harry, 1903-1986  Search this
Extent:
1 Item (9.1" x 6.1".)
Container:
Box 1, Folder 9
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1933
Scope and Contents:
Page 20 from 1933 Bakelite Laminated catalog
Local Numbers:
AC0008-0000007.tif (AC Scan No.)
Collection Restrictions:
The collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Plastics industry and trade  Search this
Collection Citation:
J. Harry Dubois Collection of the History of Plastics, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
See more items in:
J. Harry DuBois Collection on the History of Plastics
J. Harry DuBois Collection on the History of Plastics / Series 1: Bakelite Catalogs
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep84ca51c9f-cc3f-4e0d-bd7a-10fef6f9f901
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0008-ref553

Application for shock resistant materials [catalog page]

Names:
Bakelite Corporation  Search this
Collection Creator:
DuBois, J. Harry, 1903-1986  Search this
Extent:
1 Item (9.1" x 6.1".)
Container:
Box 1, Folder 11
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1931
Scope and Contents:
Page 22 from 1931 Bakelite Molded: Fifth Edition catalog
Local Numbers:
AC0008-0000008.tif (AC Scan No.)
Collection Restrictions:
The collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Plastics industry and trade  Search this
Collection Citation:
J. Harry Dubois Collection of the History of Plastics, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
See more items in:
J. Harry DuBois Collection on the History of Plastics
J. Harry DuBois Collection on the History of Plastics / Series 1: Bakelite Catalogs
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8e755f26c-f118-4881-9213-7d6382b23840
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0008-ref554

Bakelite: The Material of a Thousand Uses [catalog cover]

Names:
Bakelite Corporation  Search this
Collection Creator:
DuBois, J. Harry, 1903-1986  Search this
Extent:
1 Item (7.4" x 5.3".)
Container:
Box 1, Folder 1
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1924
Scope and Contents:
The catalog shows the different personal uses for Bakelite such as jewelry, cigarette holders, pipes, manicure sets, letter sets, etc.
Local Numbers:
AC0008-0000009.tif (AC Scan No.)
Collection Restrictions:
The collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Plastics industry and trade  Search this
Collection Citation:
J. Harry Dubois Collection of the History of Plastics, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
See more items in:
J. Harry DuBois Collection on the History of Plastics
J. Harry DuBois Collection on the History of Plastics / Series 1: Bakelite Catalogs
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8117cc17f-7f1d-4832-a235-fdadf8087f84
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0008-ref555
Online Media:

Luxene, the Translucent Bakelite Denture Material [advertisement]

Names:
Bakelite Corporation  Search this
Collection Creator:
DuBois, J. Harry, 1903-1986  Search this
Extent:
1 Item (Ink on paper., 6.3" x 3.6".)
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
circa 1940
Local Numbers:
AC0008-0000010.tif (AC Scan No.)
Collection Restrictions:
The collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Dentures  Search this
Plastics industry and trade  Search this
Collection Citation:
J. Harry Dubois Collection of the History of Plastics, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
See more items in:
J. Harry DuBois Collection on the History of Plastics
J. Harry DuBois Collection on the History of Plastics / Series 1: Bakelite Catalogs
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep83adb722f-c4b4-415e-a01a-0ddaa6991175
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0008-ref556

[Bakelite labels, photograph]

Names:
Bakelite Corporation  Search this
Collection Creator:
DuBois, J. Harry, 1903-1986  Search this
Extent:
1 Item (Silver gelatin on paper., 6.9" x 4.2".)
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
undated
Local Numbers:
AC0008-0000013.tif (AC Scan No.)
Restrictions:
Unrestricted research use on site by appointment. Photographs must be handled with cotton gloves unless protected by sleeves.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Plastics industry and trade  Search this
Collection Citation:
J. Harry Dubois Collection of the History of Plastics, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
See more items in:
J. Harry DuBois Collection on the History of Plastics
J. Harry DuBois Collection on the History of Plastics / Series 1: Bakelite Catalogs
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8f7fcdb6b-ed79-4356-aeaf-441c393ea6b5
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0008-ref559

[Bakelite radio dial]

Names:
Bakelite Corporation  Search this
Collection Creator:
DuBois, J. Harry, 1903-1986  Search this
Extent:
1 Item (Ink on plastic., 3.9" x 4.2".)
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
undated
Local Numbers:
AC0008-0000014.tif (AC Scan No.)
Restrictions:
Unrestricted research use on site by appointment. Photographs must be handled with cotton gloves unless protected by sleeves.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Plastics industry and trade  Search this
Collection Citation:
J. Harry Dubois Collection of the History of Plastics, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
See more items in:
J. Harry DuBois Collection on the History of Plastics
J. Harry DuBois Collection on the History of Plastics / Series 2: Plastics Trade Catalogs
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8a4d9583d-7bcd-4883-8f99-4615bf68e2df
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0008-ref560

Scraper with Bakelite Handle

Maker:
Bakelite Corporation  Search this
Measurements:
overall: 8 1/2 in x 3 in; 21.59 cm x 7.62 cm
overall: 8 1/4 in x 3 in x 5/8 in; 20.955 cm x 7.62 cm x 1.5875 cm
Object Name:
Scraper, Bakelite
Scraper with Bakelite Handle
Credit Line:
Bakelite Corporation
ID Number:
AG.A.4452
Catalog number:
A.4452
Accession number:
1931.116481
See more items in:
Medicine and Science: Physical Sciences
Data Source:
National Museum of American History
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a6-f50f-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nmah_877018
Online Media:

Bakelite Bottle

Maker:
Bakelite Corporation  Search this
Measurements:
overall: 4 3/4 in x 2 3/4 in; 12.065 cm x 6.985 cm
Object Name:
Hardened Bakelite Bottle
Bakelite Bottle
Credit Line:
Bakelite Corporation
ID Number:
AG.A.4557
Accession number:
1931.116481
Catalog number:
A.4557
See more items in:
Medicine and Science: Chemistry
Data Source:
National Museum of American History
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a6-d645-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nmah_877095
Online Media:

Plastic Pioneers Association Interviews

Creator:
Plastics Pioneers Association  Search this
Names:
Albany Billiard Ball Company (Albany, New York)  Search this
Bakelite Corporation  Search this
Celanese Corporation of America  Search this
Dow Chemical Company  Search this
Formica Corporation.  Search this
General Electric Company  Search this
Extent:
0.3 Cubic feet (1 Box)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Date:
1952, 1968
Summary:
Audio recordings of interviews with members of the Plastics Pioneers Association about the plastics industry, its origins, and evolution.
Scope and Contents:
The collection consists of four 1/4 inch open-reel audiotapes produced from 1952-1968.
Biographical / Historical:
The Plastic Pioneers Association (PPA) was formed in the 1940s to provide individuals involved with plastics invention, innovation, and manufacturing an opportunity to meet with colleagues to share stories about the history of plastics. In 1948 the PPA became a formal organization "of individuals who are persons of accomplishment in the Plastics Industry, and who wish to foster the bonds of friendship and fraternalism among them." At the time, in order to be a member an individual had to have made "a contribution to the growth of the industry and worked at least fifteen years plastics. According to the PPA webiste, membership currently "is capped at 250 active members, and the term of service in the industry required is 25 years or more."

The PPA is dedicated to education as well as documenting and preserving the histories of people who contributed to the plastics industry. The Plastic Pioneers Interviews represents part of this effort

http://www.plasticspioneers.org/Home/tabid/52/Default.aspx
Related Materials:
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Albany Billiard Ball Company Records (NMAH.AC.0011)

Leo H. Baekeland Papers (NMAH.AC.0005)

Celluloid Corporation Records (NMAH.AC.0009)

Earl S. Tupper Papers (NMAH.AC.0470)

Grace Jeffers Collection of Formica Materials (NMAH.AC.0565)
Provenance:
Audio tapes given to the Division of Manufacturing (now Division of Medicine and Science), by J. Harry DuBois, date unknown.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Rights:
Copyright status unknown. No releases exist. Collecion items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning intellectual property rights. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply.
Topic:
Plastics -- 1920-2000  Search this
Laminated plastics  Search this
Celluloid  Search this
Bakelite  Search this
Billiards -- Equipment and supplies  Search this
Styrene  Search this
Plexiglas  Search this
Plastics  Search this
Molding -- Plastics  Search this
Plastics industry and trade  Search this
Citation:
[Plastic Pioneers Association Interviews, September 18-20, 1968], Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution, Tape number x.
Identifier:
NMAH.AC.1235
See more items in:
Plastic Pioneers Association Interviews
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep887e4f828-c88b-477a-ab48-dd7057863d82
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-nmah-ac-1235

Correspondence and Writing

Collection Creator:
Head, Howard, 1914-1991 (inventor, business executive)  Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1943-1991
Scope and Contents:
Arranged chronologically, this series contains correspondence and writings on a variety of subjects. The majority of the correspondence (June 1943 to May 1950) is ski-related, specifically Head's work on the "honeycomb ski project." The correspondence includes: Glenn L. Martin Company; Department of Commerce; Ski Illustrated; United States Plywood Corporation; The Sixty Sales Corporation; Aluminum Company of America; Rust-Proofing and Metal Finishing Corporation; Bakelite Corporation; and Thompson Wire Company. Later correspondence (1955 to 1991) consists of Head Ski Company and personal business.

The "Honeycomb Ski" journal (May 1947 to March 1948) documents Head's work on the honeycomb ski project . This typescript journal contains detailed notes on the history of the project, testing procedures, drawings and sketches, and annotations by Head. The calendars--personal/daily--are small pocket size documents created by Head to record personal dates, appointments, telephone numbers, and thoughts. The calendars are arranged chronologically and are numbered from 1 to 35. In some instances, calendars are missing. The logs/notebooks are small pocket versions that Head created to record specific information such as his meetings and telephone numbers. The writings contain works by Head and others.
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for redsearch. No reference copies of audiovisual materials available at this time.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Howard Head Papers, 1926-1991, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Identifier:
NMAH.AC.0589, Series 2
See more items in:
Howard Head Papers
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep83ccafc5c-1465-45f1-a4b4-09856a4786d6
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0589-ref34

Scrapbook

Collection Creator:
Jones, William  Search this
Container:
Box 1
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
bulk 1943 - 1946
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Collection Citation:
William Jones World War II Scrapbook, NASM.2006.0067, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
See more items in:
William Jones World War II Scrapbook
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg23f73868a-00f4-461a-a95e-0c0109d6088f
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nasm-2006-0067-ref506
1 Page(s) matching your search term, top most relevant are shown: View entire project in transcription center
  • View Scrapbook digital asset number 1

Includes: a lease between William Barton and the Composition Billiard Ball Company, 1945; a bond and mortgage document between Jean W. Harrig and Albany Billiard Ball Company, 1948; memorandum of insurance, 1948; a lease of a service station with the T...

Collection Creator:
Albany Billiard Ball Company (Albany, New York)  Search this
Container:
Box 22, Folder 6
Type:
Archival materials
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Albany Billiard Ball Company Records, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
See more items in:
Albany Billiard Ball Company Records
Albany Billiard Ball Company Records / Series 4: Legal Documents
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8c7147f44-a932-418b-9e4e-05c542de9e57
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0011-ref103

R.E. Brannum

Collection Creator:
Plastics Pioneers Association  Search this
Container:
Box 1, Disk Reference CD 3-CD 4
Type:
Archival materials
Audio
Scope and Contents:
Bakelite Corporation, manager of molded material sales -washing machine agitators, new phenolic molding material applications
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Copyright status unknown. No releases exist. Collecion items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning intellectual property rights. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply.
Collection Citation:
[Plastic Pioneers Association Interviews, September 18-20, 1968], Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution, Tape number x.
See more items in:
Plastic Pioneers Association Interviews
Plastic Pioneers Association Interviews / Plastic Pioneer Association Interviews - Reel 2, Side 1
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep847ec6311-fd5e-4d0f-813a-4aa03a20d878
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1235-ref549

Gordon Brown

Collection Creator:
Plastics Pioneers Association  Search this
Container:
Box 1, Disk Reference CD 3-CD 4
Type:
Archival materials
Audio
Scope and Contents:
Bakelite Corporation, vice president and The Society of Plastics Industry (SPI), president -formation of SPI, use of phenolic materials: phonograph discs, records, aircraft maintenance, development of molders' associations
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Copyright status unknown. No releases exist. Collecion items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning intellectual property rights. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply.
Collection Citation:
[Plastic Pioneers Association Interviews, September 18-20, 1968], Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution, Tape number x.
See more items in:
Plastic Pioneers Association Interviews
Plastic Pioneers Association Interviews / Plastic Pioneer Association Interviews - Reel 2, Side 1
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep89266cf5c-93aa-4cd2-88aa-65acd2c73dcb
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1235-ref550

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