Tech Directions - March 2008 - (Page 10)

technology’s past Dennis Karwatka d.karwat@morehead-st.edu E. I. du Pont and His 19th Century Gunpowder Works Early 19th century Americans tured in other countries and du Pont were in the market for reliable gunsaw an opportunity. He selected a powder. During the rural site along Brandycolonial period, Great wine Creek about four Britain would not miles from Wilmington allow more than a few and organized the E. I. small manufacturers Du Pont de Nemours to produce Company in 1802. low-quality gunpowGunpowder conder. Éleuthère Irénée sists of a mixture of du Pont saw the need finely crushed charand received encourcoal, sulfur, and potasagement from Presisium nitrate. Du Pont dent Thomas Jefferknew that manufacturson. He opened his ing an explosive was first gunpowder works dangerous, so he in Delaware in 1802. spread out his operaDu Pont was born E. I. du Pont from a paint- tion into in Paris, France in many small ing by Rembrandt Peale 1771, but his family rolling mills had roots in the nearby community along the creek bank. Each of Nemours. They operated a printwas about the size of a ing business and expected du Pont modern garage. The buildto work there after graduation from ings were made of brick, college. He had an interest in chemwith no wall on the creek istry and studied under the famous side, and a purposely-weak Antoine Lavoisier (1743–1794). roof. Accidental explosions Lavoisier founded the modern sciwere directed toward the ence of chemistry and served as creek while the roof easily head of France’s Royal Powder blew away, minimizing Works. After supporting the losing casualties. In spite of exside during the French Revolution, traordinary safety precauRollers and dish inside a powder mill du Pont’s father had to flee to tions during production, The grounds, now part of the Hagley America in 1800. He took his wife explosions occurred on the average Museum, are open to the public. and two adult sons, Victor and of once every 14 months. Irénée. The elder du Pont envisioned Inside each mill was a heavy establishing a French colony along metal dish that measured about 6' in References the Ohio River Valley. That failed to diameter. A pair of side-by-side Du Pont: The autobiography of an work out, as did his other ideas. eight-ton cast iron wheels rolled in American enterprise. (1952). E. I. The family had a house built near the dish to crush and mix the gundu Pont de Nemours & Co. Wilmington, DE. But du Pont’s father powder ingredients. Du Pont built Kelly, Jack. (1998, Spring). Explosive and mother ultimately returned to the mills in pairs with a water wheel growth. American Heritage of France with Victor, their older son. in between them. Flowing water Invention and Technology, 12–20. Irénée remained in America to estabturned the water wheel, which roWinkler, John K. (1935). The du Pont lish a manufacturing enterprise. The tated the iron wheels in each mill. dynasty. Reynal & Hitchcock Pubsober minded du Pont used his knowlConstructing and maintaining the lishers. edge of chemistry and recommendamany small mills required much tions from President Jefferson to capital. Du Pont spent most of his Dennis Karwatka is professor establish a gunpowder works in 1802. time keeping his business together emeritus, Department of Industrial American gunpowder had reand, although he was financially and Engineering Technology, Moremained inferior to that manufacsuccessful, he was never really rich. head (KY) State University. Future du Ponts built on his work and later family members became very wealthy. Du Pont stayed in America and returned to France only once on business. He became an American citizen in 1804. He had a reputation for honesty and generosity, and he contributed to many civic causes such as providing food for the poor and free public education. Du Pont kept injured workers on the payroll and cared for widows and orphans, an unusually charitable practice at the time. He married Sophie Dalmas and they had eight children. Du Pont never retired and died in 1834. The du Pont family continually expanded its operation and became America’s largest manufacturer of gunpowder. The details of their process were guarded secrets known only to family members and a few trusted workers. The du Ponts closed the Brandywine mills in 1921. 10 techdirections ◆ MARCH 2008 Courtesy of Hagley Museum and Library

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Tech Directions - March 2008 Technically Speaking Contents Direct from Washington The News Report Technology’s Past Technology Today Mastering Computers HDTV—Understanding the New, Dealing with the Old Technical Studies Lead to Dream Career Fill and Fund Your CAD Classroom with These Exciting Strategies STEM Progress in Katrina’s Wake School Web Site of the Month Spring Spotlight More than Fun

Tech Directions - March 2008

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