Lammot du Pont buys Hercules after building a dynamite plant near Gibbstown, N.J. California Powder owned a dynamite subsidiary, Hercules Powder near Cleveland. Lammot goes to England on a secret mission for the government to buy enough saltpeter to supply the Union forces with gun powder.ĭuPont begins buying land interests in rival powder works, including California Powder Works. It is used as a substitute for saltpeter in making blasting powder. Lammot du Pont, Alfred's son and the company chemist, is granted the company's first patent for nitrate of soda. Between 18, sales increase at an average annual rate of 22 percent. Irénée's sons, Alfred Victor Henry and Alexis form a partnership to run the company.ĭemand for gunpowder and explosives during the Crimean War and the California Gold Rush is robust. No powder was produced for a year in the upper yard section of the powder mill. After the explosion, Irénée begins to rebuild. In March, five powder mills explode and destroy most of the DuPont operations. Irénée establishes a pension plan for the widows and orphans. An explosion kills nine men, the company's first casualties. The litigation lasts until 1824 when it is resolved in Irenee's favor. Employees get a company savings plan with Irenee paying 6 percent on accounts of $100 or more.īaudey leaves the company, sets up his own powder works south of Wilmington and sues Irénée over his DuPont share value. Irénée buys the Hagley estate from Thomas Lea to add new powder mills. Sales reached $148,597 worth about $2 million today. A Connecticut gunpowder mill takes the name "Brandywine," so the company's trademark is changed to "DuPont."ĭuring the War of 1812, DuPont sells more than 1 million pounds of powder at an average of 40 cents a pound to the U.S. Workers must wear shoes without nails to avoid sparks and are made to turn out their pockets to show they aren't carrying matches. The mill has its first explosion, and safety becomes a priority. Eighteen shares are sold for $2,000 each. du Pont de Nemours & Co., begins with $36,000 in capital. Peter Bauduy, a friend living in Wilmington's large French community, joins the company as a partner. The du Pont family, which immigrated to the United States from France, plans to start making gunpowder. Eleuthère Irénée du Pont, known as Irénée to his family, buys 95 acres on the Brandywine River (above what is now Hagley Museum).
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