[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 34 (Thursday, March 21, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2256-S2257]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      THE 200TH ANNIVERSARY OF E.I. du PONT De NEMOURS AND COMPANY

 Mr. BIDEN. Mr. President, over the past few weeks, banners 
have started

[[Page S2257]]

to appear on light-posts in my home town of Wilmington, DE, announcing 
the celebration of the 200th anniversary of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and 
Company, more familiarly and succinctly known as the DuPont Company.
  It is a fairly modest call of attention to a remarkable event and a 
remarkable business institution. DuPont is the oldest company in 
Delaware, and certainly one of the oldest in our Nation; it has 
employed hundreds of thousands of people in my State and millions 
around the world; it is a leader in scientific innovation that has 
remained dynamic throughout its history, changing with the times and, 
with more patents than any other American firm, sometimes itself 
changing the times.
  One symbol of DuPont keeping and even setting the pace, will soon be 
seen by NASCAR fans around the country. DuPont is the primary sponsor 
of Jeff Gordon's race team, and beginning this month, Mr. Gordon will 
be driving a special DuPont 200th anniversary car, which was unveiled 
in Wilmington last fall.
  The name DuPont is familiar throughout and well beyond our Nation, 
but many of our citizens, even NASCAR fans, may not realize how 
familiar DuPont products are in their daily lives, and may not know 
much of the history of the company that has endured and evolved, with a 
central place in our scientific and economic life, and with such great 
importance to our State of Delaware.
  Founded in 1802 by Eleuthere Irenee du Pont, with $36,000 in capital, 
18 shares at $2,000 a piece, DuPont began as a gunpowder plant, 
Eleutherian Mills, on the Brandywine River near Wilmington. By 1811, 
DuPont was the largest manufacturer of gunpowder in the United States.
  Explosives long remained an important aspect of the company. During 
World War I, DuPont supplied the Allies with 1.5 billion pounds of 
military explosives, as well as providing American industry with half 
the dynamite and blasting powder needed for construction and mining. 
And during World War II, DuPont produced 4.5 billion pounds of military 
explosives, as well as nylon for parachutes, tents, ropes and other 
military supplies. The company also contributed to the Manhattan 
Project, with the Hanford plant in Washington and the Oak Ridge plant 
in Tennessee, and built and operated chemical plants related to the war 
effort.
  It was in the company's 100th anniversary year, 1902, that three of 
E.I. du Pont's great-grandsons bought out old partners, and started to 
move toward diversification, opening Eastern Laboratory and, in 1903, 
the Experimental Station in Wilmington. DuPont was soon in the dye 
business, the rayon business, and after a company researcher named 
William Hale Church made cellophane moisture-proof in 1927, the food 
packaging business. DuPont research in the 1920s also led to the 
development of a quick-drying paint for cars, which helped speed the 
manufacturing process, so DuPont's automotive history goes back a long 
way.
  The 1930s saw the development of, among other products, nylon, the 
first true synthetic textile fiber, which I mentioned was so important 
early on in World War II supplies; Teflon', which evolved in 
part out of war-related research and which we know from our own kitchen 
supplies; Butacite', which is used in shatter-proof glass; 
and Lucite'.
  The 1950s brought the development of Mylar', which has 
uses from balloons to insulation, as well as Dacron' 
polyester, Orlon' acrylic fiber and the well-known 
Lycra' brand fiber, which can stretch to five times its size 
without losing its shape. DuPont also started its serious global 
investment, with the opening of the International Department, in 1958.
  In 1964, researcher Stephanie Kwolek, whom I have had the pleasure of 
meeting, developed the remarkably strong fiber that we know as 
Kevlar', which, in its application in body armor, has saved 
thousands of police officers' lives. Tyvek', which we see so 
often as building wrap, was also developed for commercial application 
in the 1960s, as was Nomex'--where we again give credit to 
Dr. Kwolek, along with Paul Morgan, for their research. 
Nomex' is a heat-resistant fiber with a range of uses, the 
most well known of which is in protective gear for fire-fighters. 
Corian', which is now so familiar as a counter-top surface, 
followed shortly after.
  To summarize where DuPont was at the close of the 1960s in terms of 
its leadership and innovation, especially in textile fibers, I'll note 
that when Neil Armstrong walked on the moon in 1969, he was wearing a 
space suit made up of 25 layers; 23 of those layers were DuPont 
materials.
  The DuPont Company has continued to explore science-based solutions 
to real-world problems in a range of markets, from health care and 
nutrition to apparel and textiles to performance coatings and polymers 
to construction and electronics, always working to develop new products 
and to find innovative applications even for old workhorses like 
polyester and nylon. Just to note two current efforts, DuPont is 
undertaking leading-edge work in biotechnology, notably soy proteins, 
and in polymers, with an advanced technology now known as 
Sorona'.
  Among the many events in this anniversary year, in April, DuPont will 
be presented with the National Building Museum's 2002 Honor Award, and 
I am proud to serve on the Leadership Committee for that event. In 
announcing the award, the Building Museum folks noted, ``It is 
difficult to imagine many aspects of modern construction without DuPont 
products, which make buildings safer, more durable, and more 
efficient.''
  In addition to its industry leadership, the DuPont Company has set 
the standard, which has been followed by other leading businesses in 
our State, for outstanding corporate citizenship. The Company has long 
engaged in generous charitable giving and support of non-profit 
agencies, both near its corporate home in Delaware and in communities 
where it operates throughout the world, as well as supporting and 
encouraging volunteer work and community leadership by its employees. 
DuPont has made a particular and extensive investment in science 
education and research, from kindergarten classrooms to university 
laboratories.
  So this 200-year-old Company remains an innovator, an investor in 
sustainable and successful communities, and a charitable leader in 
Delaware, across the country and around the world. I have not always 
agreed with the Board Chairs and CEOs of the DuPont Company over the 
last 30 years, but I have always respected them, and deeply respected 
the place of honor that the DuPont Company has earned in Delaware and 
in the international business community.
  So on behalf of the DuPont Company's neighbors and fellow citizens in 
Delaware, I am proud to honor its 200th anniversary, and to extend 
congratulations to the company's board, executive leaders and 
employees, along with our very best wishes for continued success in 
bringing ``The miracles of science''' to life in a way that 
serves us all.

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