The Journal of Explosives Engineering - March/April 2013 - 24

E X P L O S I V E S
by Robert B. Hopler

100 YEARS AGO
MORE OR LESS
As much as possible, items are reproduced as
originally printed. Misspelling and usages now
considered archaic have been retained.

THE FOUNDING OF THE
INSTITUTE OF MAKERS OF
EXPLOSIVES
(IME)
CHICAGO, 1913
After the disbanding of the Gunpowder Trust Association in 1904, the
Association of Independent Powder
and Dynamite Manufacturers was
formed, followed in May of 1906 by
the formation of the Association of
Manufacturers of Powder and High
Explosives. Due to a lack of success in
attracting all manufacturers to membership, these organizations did not
survive.
In the spring of 1913, a meeting
was held by explosive manufacturers
to discuss “many serious problems
effecting their particular industry
(such as legislation, transportation
and storage). After deliberation, a
committee was appointed to confer
with Mr. Arthur J. Eddy1, an attorney
in Chicago, whose experience and
reputation was known to many of
those present. Mr. Eddy formulated a
draft of a Constitution setting forth
objects which seemed to conform
with the ideas of the manufacturers.
Subsequently, the manufacturers of
blasting powder met in New York City.
Mr. Eddy was present at this meeting
and explained the scope and meaning of the constitution he prepared.
The benefits to be derived were so apparent that the constitution was enlarged in order that it might include
all manufacturers of explosives in the
United States.2”
On July 15, 1913, the first organizational meeting of the Institute of
Makers of Explosives took place at
the Congress Hotel in Chicago, Illinois.
One of the stated objectives of the
original constitution was “to promote
cordial and friendly relations among
members.”
According to an IME pamphlet en24

titled “Organization and Purposes of
the Institute of Makers of Explosives”
“The Institute was organized to
promote publicity in the transaction
of the explosives business; to gather
and distribute accurate information
regarding the industry; to maintain
high and uniform standards in the
manufacture of explosives; to devise
ways and means for promoting the
use of explosives, and informing the
public regarding the proper use of
same; to take up and discuss all traffic questions arising with public carriers; to deal intelligently and fairly
with the many conflicting laws affecting the manufacture and transportation of explosives; to co-operate
with the Bureau for the Safe Transportation of Explosives and other
Dangerous Articles, in devising rules
and regulations that will adequately
protect the public; to co-operate with
the public authorities in solving the
problem of safe storage of explosives;
to deal intelligently and scientifically
with insurance problems; to consider
and adopt sanitary, hygienic and safe
measures and appliances and to consider the insuring and pensioning of
employees; to compile and exchange
accident and near accident data in
the experience of each member for
the purpose of reducing explosives
accidents thereby reducing personal
injury and loss of life; and to distribute accurate credit information.”
Attending the meeting were representatives of the following companies: The Aetna Explosives Company;
American Powder Mills; Atlas Powder
Company; Austin Powder Company;
Burton Powder Company; E. I. du Pont
de Nemours & Co.;The Equitable Powder Manufacturing Company; Fort Pitt
Powder Company; Hercules Powder
Company; Illinois Powder Company;
Independent Powder Co. of Missouri;
Jefferson Powder Company; Keystone
National Powder Company; The King
The Journal of Explosives Engineers

Powder Company; Miami Powder
Company; Senior Powder Company;
Standard Powder Company; and United States Powder Company.
The first officers of the Institute
were: Addison G. Fay, Aetna, President;
Charles L. Patterson, DuPont,Vice President; A. Lent, Austin, Treasurer; and C.
C. Quincy, Secretary (the first staff officer).
The first Executive Committee, in
addition to the officers, were: George
G. King, The King Powder Company;
Adolphus C. Blum, Keystone National
Powder Company; Russell H. Dunham,
Hercules Powder Company; and A.
G. Cummings, United States Powder
Company.
Five committees were formed:
Committee on Trade Conditions and
Promoting the Use of Explosives;
Committee on Traffic and Storage
Conditions; Committee on Welfare of
Employees; Committee on Uniform
Legislation; and Committee on Standardization.
RBH Note: As shown in the first
lines of the above document, attempts
were made in the early 1900’s to form
explosives industry associations, but
these attempts were unsuccessful.
The probable cause was the dominance of the industry by the duPont
Company. The breakup of that company under the Sherman anti-trust act
opened the industry to competition,
and also to the need for cooperation
in standards, safety, insurance, public
relations, and all manner of business
procedures. Thus the time was ripe
for the establishment of such an organization as the Institute of Makers
of Explosives. Obviously the organization filled the need very successfully,
Mr. Eddy was the author of The New Competition.
2
From correspondence dated June 9, 1913 signed
by Addison G. Fay, IME’s first President, to powder manufacturers.
1

March/April 2013

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The Journal of Explosives Engineering - March/April 2013

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