History of the Division of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry E. M . Billinst, Eastman Kodak Co., Rochester, N. Y., and Howard S. Gardner, University of Rochester, Rochester, N. Y.
T
HIRTY-THREE years ago—is the fall of 1907—the Council of tho A F R I C A N
CHEMICAL SOCIETY authorized a com-
mittee to consider the fasibility of publishing a journal devoted to the special interests of indust rial chemists. When the SOCIETY met in December of that year, the committee reported to the Industrial Chemistry Section its recommendation that a journal of industrial and engineering chemistry be established and that the SOCIETY organize a division of industrial chemists and chemical engineers Three years before, at the 31st meeting in December, 1904, it had been necessary, because of increased attendance with corresponding rise in number and variety of papers, for the Social r to introduce a new procedure. This permitted separate sections to meet for the more specirlized parts of the program—Agricultural, Sanitary, and Physiological; Industrial; Inorganic; Organic; and Physical Chemistry. Edward Hart was first chairman of the Industrial Section, followed by S. W. Parr, J. D. Pennock, Arthur D. Little, W. H. Ellis, and William D. Richardson. Under such leadership the section grew steadily and by 1907 enthusiastically approved the proposed change in organization to form a Division of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. The committee's recommendations were later approved by the Council and the first division of the SOCIETY was created.
On July 1, 1908, at the SOCIETY'S next meeting held in New Haven, President Marston T. Bogert appointed a committee of well-known men—Drs. Parker, Stone, Little, and Parr—to nominate officers for the new division. As a result, Arthur D. Little was elected Chairman, A. H. Lowe. Vice Chairman, D. P. B. Hyde, Secretary, and William D. Richardson was appointed Editor of the Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. The New Haven meeting also marked the division's first program, which included 27 papers and occupied 3 days. With such a precedent, other sections of the SOCIETY adopted divisional organizations within a year. The next meeting was held at Baltimore during the Christmas holidays. Here Dr. Little outlined several undertakings which should presently interest the division, among them trade terms and customs, oil specifications, and research problems. The practice to arrange its programs to permit visits to various local industrial plants, begun at New Haven,
was continued, and the program of papers once more included those primarily in the field of technical analysis. An Executive Committee was inaugurated in addition to the officers elected annually. With the third meeting of the division at Detroit, June 29, 1909, the secretary reported a membership of alxmt 800. This included many SOCIETY members from countries other than the United States. Dr. Little read to the division an article which had appeared in the Bostan Herable of which he said: Now, I have not the least idea who wrote this article• • • but I think it shows an altogether new appreciation of what we are trying to do and the value of the chemists' service. I think it is a splendid statement of appreciation, and if any such view of the full value of our work is germinating, that it lays a heavy responsibilitv on all of us to live up to and develop it. The article, as read, is reprinted here. The Chemists' Service Two sorts of wise men are now interested in the chemist: the man who is concerned with he origir and the elements of all life and the man who is bent on developing human welfare to its utmost on the physical side. The philosopher is interested in him because just now, more than another man of science, the chemist seems to be in line as the agent for revealing unsuspected and revolutionizing facts about Nature and her laws. Where a decade or two ago the biologist was supreme, the chemist now stands as a pioneer in fathoming, not the source, but the method of continuous creation. The statesman, the manufacturer, the merchant, and the consumer of the products of applied science are interested in the chemist, because wherever he has been given a fair chance by private initiative or by generous treatment on the part of the State, he has added so immensely to the wealth of society and to the comfort and the health of life by his discoveries, by his reductions in cost of manufacture, by his utilization of matter previously wasted, by his synthetic creation of rare and costly products of Nature, and by the light he has shed on the hidden causes of health and disease through study of the chemistry of the transformations that go on within the body, that it is difficult to overrate his importance to society. The debt owed the chemist is one that cannot be measured in pecuniary terms; it must be reckoned in higher values that always follow after bettered economic status, better health, lessened labors, and increased efficiency, not to mention relative freedom from pain and absence of worry. The chemist has added millions of dollars to the capital of nations sensible enough to foster his education and to equip him with laboratories and to set
1077
him at work in agriculture, manufacturing, and commerce. He also has been a life-saver, a life-prolonger, an agent in transforming the outlook of wise farmers and in rescuing adults and children from the toils of adulterators of food. Consequently he deserves generous and respectful treatment from his countrymen. The practical side of the matter is simple. If the United States, if New England, if Massachusetts, are to be wise as they need to be in order to compete with rivals like Germany or Japan, or with American states that have amply equipped universities strong in their scientific equipment, then they must give increased attention to the matter of training men for applied chemistry, men who can do for New England's barren soil and manifold industries what Germany, Switzerland, and Japan have done for those not over-fertile lands. The division met again late in December of 1909—this time in Boston—under the chairmanship of Dr. Little. There were the usual papers dealing with analytical procedures, and in addition paint was discussed in the division's first symposium. Such well-known authorities as Hunt, Sabin, and Richardson contributed to this program, and in the record we find Chairman Little calling on Morris Loob to explain proposed names for The Chemists' Club and suggesting a paper that would discuss the library as an adjunct to the industrial laboratory. The San Francisco meeting— July 1910—included on its program such familiar names as Cottrell, Haynes, Kammerer, Herty, and Baskerville. Industrial chemists and chemical engineers also found time to play, and the minutes read: It is thus necessary to record that the meeting scheduled for July 15, at the Lniversity of California, was by common consent omitted, as otherwise there would have been no opportunity for visits to inspect the numberless attractions that were to be discovered there. Membership at the December meeting, held in Minneapolis, was 1040, and it was voted to assess each member one dollar to carry on the division's work. Up to that time the expenses had been met entirely by the officers. At the Indianapolis meeting in June, 1911, a resolution was presented which holds high place in the records of the division and reads as follows: Inasmuch as the Division of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry was the first to be formed in the AMERICAN CHEMICAL
SOCIETY and at a period when the future success of the SOCIETY was threatened, and as it was owing in large measure to the success of this Division that the future
policy and well-being of the SOCIETY has
Table I. Symposia Held at American Chemical Society Meetings SUBJECT
CHAIRMAN
Paint Smelter Smoke Mineral Wastes Contributions of the Chemist to American Industries Contributions of the Chemittt to American Industries Chemistry of Wood Wastes Occupational Diseases in the Chemical Trades The Nitrogen Industry Chemistry and Metallurgy of Zinc Metallurgy The Industrial Chemist in Wartime Chemistry of Dycstuffs Potash Library Service in Industrial Laboratories Future of Certain American-Made Chemicals Refractories Annual Patent Renewal Fees Cellulose Chemistry Cellulose Chemistry Fuels Drying Filtration Chemistry of Gases and Fuel Distillation Automatic Process Control Combustion Materials of Chemical-Equipment Construction Bread Reagent Chemicals Heat Transfer Absorption Corrosion Chemical Industries of the West Lubricat.on Future Trends in Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Lime Chemistry'a Contribution xo Automotive Transportation Filtration Hound-Table Piscussion Equipment Construction Round-Table Discussion Corrosion Round-Table Discussion Economic Symposium on Nitrogen Boiler Room Chemistry Progress and Development of Industrial Chemistry in the South Industrial High-Pressure Reactions New Research Tools Chemical Engineering Processes in the Oil Industry The Design, Construction, and Operation of Reaction Equipment Glass High Lights of Modern Industrial Chemistry Diffusional Processes Brewing Chemical Economics Materials of Construction in the Builtim* Industry Wood as a Raw Material for Chemical Commodities New Metals and Allo>s Applicable to the Chemical Industry Unit Processes Automatic Control Unit Processes Surface Active Agents Electrical Insulating Materials Thermal Insulation Unit Processes Industrial Wastes Electrical Insulation Unit Processes Glass: What Is Old? What Is New? Recent Developments in New Textile Fibers, Fabrics, and Finishes
No.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
DATE
December 1900 July 1010 C. L. Parsons December 1911 April 1915 September 1915 September 1915 Chas. Baskerville September 1916 September 1916 John Johnston April 1917 September 1917 September 1917 R. N. Shrevc September 1918 September 1918 April 1919 April 1919 A. V. Hleininger September 1919 E. J. Prindle September 1919 J. K. Crane April 1920 G. J. Esselen September 1920 R. T. Haslam September 1920 C. O. Lavett April 1921 D . R. Sperry September 1921 C. H. Stone September 1921 W. A. Peters, Jr. April 1922 L. W. Parsons September 1922 R. T. Haslam September 1922 P. A. Singer April 1923 If. E. Barnard September 1923 W. D. Collins September 1923 W. H. McAdams April 1924 W. G. Whitman September 1924 R. J. McKay April 1925 C. A. New hall August 1925 R. E. Wilson March 1926 September 1926 J. R. With row April 1927 T. A. Boyd September 1927 D. R. Sperry April 1928 W. T. Read April 1928 R. J. McKay September 1928 Williams Haynes September 1928 W. D . Coiiins April 1929
been established, we deem it fitting that the following resolution of appreciation be extended to our first Chairman upon his retirement. Resolved, by the Division of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, that we hereby express our appreciation of the efficient work, the ever ready encouragement, and constant and untiring efforts with which the retiring President. Arthur D. Little, has always aided and stimulated the work of this Division. It is largely through his efforts that suitable papers have been obtained which have gone so far towards making the Division meetings of ever increasing interest and importance. The form and character thus given the early work of the division were destined to influence profoundly subsequent work and its effectiveness. There were two other important motions at this meeting. One suggested the advisability of adopting a code of ethics with appointment of a board to certify the ability of chemists. The other proposed that the division recommend to the Directors of the AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY advance publication
and circulation of certain papers to promote discussion. The following appeared in minutes of the Washington meeting of December, 1911: "One entire day was devoted to a very successful symposium on mineral waste and conservation, under the leadership of Dr. Charles L. Parsons." From the record of the Milwaukee meeting, March, 1913, it is apparent that a paper on "The Training of the Technical Chemists" by John Staudt created the most lively discussion. R. E. Wilson April 1930 A variety of interests within the diviN. W. Krase September 1930 sion resulted in many important symK. T. Compton September 1931 posia. Table I lists general meeting R. T. Haslam April 1932 symposia in which the division had an September 1932 important part. Many were organised F. C. Flint April 1933 C. S. Miner September 1933 * entirely by the division, while a number were presented jointly with others. SevW. H. McAdams September 1934 Max Wallerptein April 1935 eral younger divisions, particularly the R. P. Soule April 1935 Divisions of Cellulose Chemistry and of J. R. Withrow April 1935 Gas and Fuel Chemistry, trace their origin II. K. Benson August 1935 to symposia organized by the Division of F. N. Speller September 1936 Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. R. N. Shrevo September 1937 The first symposium on a unit operation C. A. Thomas September 1937 was on Drying and was held in 1921. R. N. Shreve September 1938 Since that time the number of programs F. E. Bartell September 1938 F. L. Miller September 1938 related to development of chemical engiR. H. Heilman April 1939 neering theey has steadily increased, and R. N. Shreve September 1939 in 1934 the first separate chemical engiW. A. Schmidt September 1930 neering symposium was held. During the F. L. Miller April 1940 R. N. Shreve September 1940 Christmas holidays those interested in a Alex. Silverman Septeml>er 1940 particular topic met in a congenial atmosphere for papers and discussion in an adG. J. Esselen September 1940 vanced treatment of the subject. Beginning with an attendance of 100, these symposia have had a healthy growth and Table II. Chemical Engineering Symposia are now an important part of the division's HOST DATE SUBJECT activity as indicated by Table II. SymDistillation Massachusetts Institute of Techposia on Unit Processes, presented an-
Heat Transmission AbsorptioL and Extraction Drying and Air Conditioning Fluid Dynamics Separation Operations Diffusion as the Basis of Unit Operations
nology Yale University Columbia University University of Pennsylvania Carnegie Institute of Technology University of Michigan
Dec. Dec. Dec. Dec. Dec. Dec.
Princeton University
Dec. 27 and 28.1940
1078
28 and 29, 30 and 31. 28 and 29. 27 and ^8. 27 and 28. 28 and 29.
1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939
nually at fall meetings of the SOCIETY
since 1937 under the chairmanship of R. N. Shreve, have fostered increasing recognition of industrial reactions as unit processes. By sponsoring several symposia organized by the Subcommittee on Chemistry. Conference on Electrical In-
NEWS
December 10,1940 Table III DATE
CHAIRMEN
A. D. Little G. C. Stone G. D. Roeengarten G. P. Adamson H. E. Howe C. 8. Miner H. D. Batchelor W. K. Lewis D. R. Sperry W. A. Peters. Jr. W. H. McAdams R. J. McKay R. E. Wilson D. B. Keyes W. G. Whitman T. A. Boyd W. L. Badger B. F. Dodge
1908-10 1911 1912-13 1914-15 1916-17 1918-19 1920-21 1922 1923-24 1925-26 1927 1928-29 1930-31 193? o3 i*34-3G 1937 1938-39 1940-
Table IV
EDITION
1079
Hutchison Honored at Student Affiliates Meeting E.
B. HUTCHISON, JR., Herndon, Va.,
a junior in the department of chemistry at Virginia Polytechnic Institute, was honored recently by the local chapter 01 Phi Lambda Upsilon for having maintained a higher scholastic average for his first two years' work in Blacksburg than any other junior at present in the departments of chemistry and chemical engineering. He was given a copy of Lange's Handbook of Chemistry, engraved with his name and other appropriate data. The presentation was made by R. S. Pendexter, Jr., Arlington, Va., president of the local chapter and a senior in chemical engineering, at the regular fortnightly meeting of the V. P. I. Student Affiliate Chapter of the AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY.
SkCRBTARIES
DATE
B. T. B. Hyde F. E. Gallagher 8. H. Salisbury, Jr. H. E. Howe E. M. Billing! H. 8. Gardner Whitney Weinrich
1908-09 1910-12 1913-18 1919-21 1922-37 1938-39 1940-
Hutchison's average for the two years was 2.85 out of a possible 3.00 quality credits. The award was made for the first time last year.
Addition to A . C. S. Honor Roll WE
sulation of the National Research Council, in recent years, the division has enabled workers in electrical insulation to enjoy advantages of a scientific society's national meetings. Space does not permit mention of many who contributed materially to the division's success, but emphasis must be placed on the valuable contributions of the late Dr. Little and of our dynamic Editor, Dr. Howe. Many other names, distinguished in industrial chemistry and chemical engineering, appear on the records of programs and on the roster of division officers and committees. Social activities have not been neglected. In the past two yean* divisional luncheons at national SOCIETY meetings have been well attended. At chemical engineering symposia, group luncheons and dinners have contributed to good fellowship. Thus the division attempts to serve the varied interests in chemical industry, balancing presentation of significant current work with emphasis on particular topics worthy of attention. It can now look back and note the progress of 33 years with considerable pride. It looks forward with determination to continue its advance in a manner befitting the oldest division in the SOCIETY'S family of 18.
ARE pleased to add the name of Ross P. Anderson to the AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY Honor Roll, printed in the November 10 NEWS EDITION.
Mr.
Anderson joined the SOCIETY in 1908.
Western Vermont Section Elects Officers T H E Western Vermont Section of the AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY elected
the following officers for the coming year: Chairman, H. C. Hamilton; ChairmanElect, E. B. Womach; Secretary-Treasurer, G. C. Crooks; Councilor, C. E. Braun.
Civil Service Examination for Physicists THE United States Civil Service Commission has announced examinations for principal physicist ($5000 a year), senior physicist ($4000 a year), physicist ($3800 a year), associate physicist ($3200 a year), and assistant physicist ($2600 a year). Applications mast be received in Washington, D. C , by December 12, 1940 (December 16 if sent from Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming).
Du Pont Fellowships E.
I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS & Co., INC.,
Wilmington, Del., has announced the award of 6 postdoctoral fellowships for research in organic chemistry and 20 postgraduate fellowships for research in the field of chemistry for the academic year 1941-42. Twenty institutions will benefit. The postdoctorate fellowships are for $2000 each, and the postgraduate fellowships are for $750 each. The postdoctorate fellowships will be placed under the direction of R. T. Arnold, instructor, University of Minnesota; Paul Bartlett, assistant professor, Harvard University; Ralph Connor, assistant professor, University of Pennsylvania; R. C. Elderfield, assistant professor, Columbia University; C. B. Purves, assistant professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; and H. R. Snyder, instructor, University of Illinois. Appointments will be made later in the academic year by the heads of the chemistry departments of the respective universities. The 20 institutions to which postgraduate awards have been granted are the University of California, University of Chicago, Columbia University, Cornell University, Harvard University, University of Illinois, Johns Hopkins University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Michigan, University of Minnesota, Northwestern University, Ohio State University, Pennsylvania State College, University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University, Purdue University, Stanford University, University of Virginia, University of Wisconsin, and Yale Universi'y.
$6,500,000 Allotted to TV A for Nitrate Plant IN THE government national defense program, the War Department has allotted $6,500,000 to the Tennessee Valley Authority for putting an existing nitrate plant into the production of ammonia, a basic material in the manufacture of explosives. The factory' is located at Muscle Shoals, Ala., and will be rehabilitated for ammonia production.
Anthony Schwartz, formerly of the National Aniline & Chemical Co., and Ralph Signer, formerly with the LibbeyOwens-Ford Glass Co., have joined the research staff of The Visiting Corp., Chicago, Ill.
