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Dow Chemical Company Historical Image Collection

 Collection
Identifier: 2008-064-004

Scope and Content

For a more detailed inventory, please view this record in our library catalog: https://othmerlib.sciencehistory.org/record=b1069527~S6

This collection is Section 10 of the Dow Chemical Historical Collection formerly housed at the Post Street Archives in Midland, Michigan and consists of photographs and slides depicting the facilities, operations, and products of the Dow Chemical Company. The images primarily date from the second half of the twentieth century, with the bulk of materials created between 1963 and 1986. The majority of the collection consists of photographs of Dow personnel and products, both of which are arranged alphabetically by the subject of the photograph. Photographs from Dow{u2019}s Ludington Plant, including images of laboratories, plant facilities, and staff activities, also make up a significant portion of the collection. Glass and 35mm slides from various company events and presentations, along with corresponding scripts, form a small subset of materials within the larger collection.

Dates

  • Creation: 1942-1998
  • Creation: Majority of material found within 1963-1986

Restrictions on Access

Unrestricted.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

To obtain reproduction and copyright information, contact reproductions@sciencehistory.org..

Background Note

Based in Midland, Michigan, the Dow Chemical Company was incorporated by Herbert H. Dow in 1897. In its early years, the Dow Chemical Company specialized in the commercial manufacture and sale of bleach based on Herbert Dow's new and more efficient "blowing out" process for extracting bromine from brine. Amidst the outbreak of World War I and shortage of German-manufactured chemicals, the company expanded into the production of calcium chloride, magnesium metal, acetyl salicylic acid, and other chemicals and established its first research laboratory in 1919. In the ensuing decades, Dow flourished as a manufacturer of magnesium and synthetic rubber during World War II, as well as innovative consumer products like Saran Wrap. Today, Dow is a multinational corporation manufacturing and selling a large variety of chemical, plastic, and agricultural products to industry and consumers alike.

Extent

93 Linear Feet (93 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Photographs and slides depicting the facilities, operations, and products of the Dow Chemical Company, primarily dating from the second half of the twentieth century. This collection is Section 10 of the Dow Chemical Historical Collection.

Ownership and Custodial History

Forms part of the Dow Chemical Historical Collection, 1897-2006 (bulk 1900-1990); Gift of the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation, 2008.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Source of acquisition--Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--2008.

Digitized Materials

A small portion of this collection has been digitized and is available online in our Digital Collections: https://digital.sciencehistory.org/collections/zs25x847n

Related Archival Materials

Forms part of the Dow Chemical Historical Collection, 1897-2006 (bulk 1900-1990), at the Science History Institute.

See also The Papers of Herbert H. Dow, 1872-1930 (bulk 1915-1922), at the Science History Institute.

Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Revision Statements

  • 09-2023: Digitized Materials note added.

Repository Details

Part of the Science History Institute Archives Repository

Contact:
315 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia PA 19106 United States
215.873.8265
215.873.5265 (Fax)