DuPont, founded in 1802, played a major role in Delaware's development. Known for developing polymers like nylon and Kevlar, as well as chemicals like Freon. Merged with Dow Chemical in 2015, then split into three companies. DuPont, headquartered in Delaware, is a leading chemical company.
Pierre Samuel du Pont de Nemours was born in Paris in 1739. He was the son of a Parisian watchmaker and a descendant of a minor noble family.
Victor-Marie du Pont, the first son of the Du Pont family, was born. He had various diplomatic roles including being an attaché to the French legation in the United States and aide-de-camp to the Marquis de Lafayette.
Éleuthère Irénée “E.I.” du Pont de Nemours, the founder of the du Pont dynasty, was born in 1771, marking the beginning of a significant legacy in Wilmington & the Brandywine Valley.
In 1792, British Captain George Vancouver and his explorers were the first outsiders to see the land that would later become DuPont. This exploration marked the initial contact of outsiders with the area.
The name 'Hagley' used for the land purchased by DuPont in 1813 most likely originated from an English estate that was well-known in the eighteenth century. The name was already in use before E.I. du Pont acquired the property.
E.I. du Pont, along with his father and his brother’s family, arrive by ship in Newport, RI on January 1, 1800. The anniversary of this day is still celebrated by his descendants today.
Du Pont purchased property from Jacob Broom on the Brandywine River near Wilmington, Delaware to build his gunpowder manufactory.
In 1802, E.I. du Pont founded a gunpowder factory on the banks of the Brandywine River in Wilmington, Delaware. This marked the beginning of the DuPont Company, a significant success story in American industry.
Samuel Francis du Pont, son of Victor-Marie du Pont, was born in 1803. He had a notable career as a U.S. naval officer, serving in the Mexican War, contributing to the Naval Academy curriculum, and commanding during the Civil War.
E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company made its first recorded sale on May 16, 1804. This marked the beginning of the company's commercial activities.
In 1813, DuPont purchased 62 acres of land next to Eleutherian Mills to establish a new powder yard known as Hagley Yard. This expansion was a significant step in the company's growth.
Pierre Samuel du Pont de Nemours passed away at Eleutherian Mills on August 7, 1817, following his involvement in extinguishing a fire at the factory. He was the first du Pont family member to die due to a powder yard accident.
The 'Great Explosion' occurred on March 19, 1818, claiming the lives of 34 individuals and causing significant devastation to the Company. It was one of the most tragic incidents in the Company's history.
In 1832, the Nisqually House, a storehouse for blankets, seeds, and potatoes, was constructed at the mouth of Sequalitchew Creek by Hudson's Bay Company Chief Trader Archibald McDonald with the help of the Sequalitchew Nisqually Tribe.
E.I. du Pont, a prominent figure known for his contributions to the community through support for poverty relief, help for the blind, and free public education, passed away in Philadelphia due to heart failure. He was also recognized as a bank director, inventor, and gentleman scientist.
In 1843, Hudson's Bay Company Chief Trader Archibald McDonald sighted the area that would become Fort Nisqually. With the help of the Sequalitchew Nisqually Tribe, a storehouse called Nisqually House was built at the mouth of Sequalitchew Creek.
In 1857, DuPont produced a 'soda powder', which was the first strictly industrial explosive. This marked a significant development in the company's history.
Alfred I. du Pont, born to Éleuthère Irénée “E.I.” du Pont II and Charlotte Shepherd du Pont, made significant changes in the family business, leading to increased efficiency and safety. He later ventured into his own business pursuits, amassing over 200 patents and constructing the renowned Nemours Estate for his second wife Alicia.
Pierre Samuel du Pont, an entrepreneur and philanthropist, is active during this period.
In 1880, DuPont began manufacturing nitroglycerin and dynamite, expanding its product range and influence in the explosives industry.
DuPont was first incorporated in 1899 after operating as a partnership for nearly a century. This legal change marked a new phase in the company's structure.
In March 1902, the third generation of du Ponts decided to sell the business to a competitor, but Alfred I. du Pont and his cousins, T. Coleman and Pierre S. du Pont, bought the company for $12 million, leading to the company becoming the largest explosives maker in the country.
DuPont established its first Experimental Station in 1903 near the original powder yards in Wilmington, Delaware, leading to advancements that enabled the company to expand into consumer goods.
In 1906, E.I DuPont deNemours Company purchased five square miles of land in Wilmington, Delaware for the manufacturing of black powder and high explosives. Tar paper houses were constructed for the plant construction crew.
In July 1907, the U.S. Justice Department launched anti-trust actions against DuPont, resulting in a 1911 court decision that compelled the company to divest numerous acquisitions, including the Hercules Powder Company and Atlas Powder Company.
The DuPont Powder Works Plant began operating in 1909, leading to the construction of permanent homes for employees. The Company Town with its own amenities like school, newspaper, and post office started to grow.
In 1910, the DuPont Company built a wharf and narrow-gauge railroad for shipping dynamite and other products, enhancing their transportation capabilities.
In 1912, DuPont's purchase of several smaller chemical companies led to government scrutiny under the Sherman Antitrust Act, reflecting the company's growing influence.
In 1914, Pierre S. du Pont invested in General Motors, eventually becoming the company's chairman and leading it to become the top automobile company globally.
In 1915, DuPont introduced NYLON, a synthetic fiber that became a blockbuster product for the company, revolutionizing the textile industry.
In 1918, DuPont invested in General Motors to expand its interests in consumer goods. Pierre S. du Pont, who was elected as General Motors' director in 1915, later became the president of GM in 1920.
In 1920, Pierre S. du Pont takes over as the president of General Motors after DuPont's significant investment in the company. He leads GM until 1923 and continues to be part of the board until 1929.
In 1921, DuPont closed the Brandywine powder yards due to low demand for black powder and the Company's shift towards other products.
The du Pont Family was established in 1927. They have been deeply intertwined with Delaware's history since the 19th century, contributing to the industrial revolution, creating household name products, and emphasizing nature preservation.
In the 1920s, DuPont, Frigidaire, and General Motors collaborated to find a replacement for toxic refrigerants, leading to the creation of CFCs by Thomas Midgley in 1928. CFCs were later found to be ozone-depleting chemicals.
In 1930, DuPont's polymer research group headed by Wallace H. Carothers created Nylon, a groundbreaking synthetic material that became one of the company's most important discoveries.
In 1934, the Fort Nisqually Granary and Factor's House, the oldest building on Puget Sound, were moved to the reconstructed Fort Nisqually site in Point Defiance Park by the Young Men’s Business Club of Tacoma. The original fort site in DuPont now only has Black Locust trees.
In 1935, DuPont's research led to the invention of neoprene, a synthetic rubber, and Nylon, two significant contributions to the materials industry.
In 1938, DuPont's most important invention, Nylon, was created, further solidifying the company's reputation for innovation in materials.
In 1940, the Alfred I. duPont Institute is established in Wilmington, becoming the first healthcare institution under the Nemours Foundation. It specializes in pediatric orthopedics and is now known as Nemours Children's Hospital.
In 1941, DuPont participated in the top secret Manhattan Project, building the Hanford Engineering Works to produce plutonium for the atomic bomb, showcasing its contribution to wartime efforts.
In 1943, DuPont played a major role in the Manhattan Project by designing, building, and operating the Hanford plutonium producing plant in Hanford, Washington.
In 1950, DuPont agreed to build the Savannah River Plant in South Carolina as part of the effort to create a hydrogen bomb.
In 1951, DuPont was officially incorporated as a city with around 600 residents. This marked a significant milestone in the town's history.
In 1957, plans were realized to open the DuPont Company's original mills site by the Brandywine River as a museum. The museum showcases restored mills, a worker's community, the du Pont family's ancestral home and gardens, and Hagley's library with a wide-ranging collection on American entrepreneurship history.
Lammot du Pont Copeland led the DuPont company in the 1960s, overseeing the commercialization of new products like Lycra and Tyvek. He was featured on the cover of TIME Magazine in 1964 and had his portrait painted by Salvador Dali.
In 1965, DuPont launched Kevlar, a synthetic fiber known for its high tensile strength, used in various applications including bulletproof vests, racing sails, and protective gloves. Kevlar has become a significant innovation in materials science and has had a profound impact on multiple industries.
In 1967, DuPont introduced CORIAN, a solid building material used in kitchen and bath countertops, marking its entry into the construction industry.
In 1974, Gerard Colby Zilg published 'DuPont: Behind the Nylon Curtain', a book that delves into the history and operations of the DuPont company.
In 1976, Weyerhaeuser Company acquired all 3,200 acres of DuPont Company property, impacting the ownership and development of the area.
In 1977, Pierre Samuel 'Pete' du Pont IV is elected as the 68th governor of Delaware, previously serving as a U.S. representative. He holds the governorship until 1985 and later runs for president in 1988.
In 1981, DuPont makes a significant move by acquiring the Conoco oil company, marking the largest merger in U.S. history at that time.
In 1984, Gerard Colby Zilg released 'Du Pont Dynasty: Behind the Nylon Curtain', a comprehensive book shedding light on the DuPont family and their legacy.
In 1987, the company town area known as 'The Village' in DuPont was recognized and designated as a Historic District, preserving its historical significance.
After NASA announced a study linking CFCs to ozone depletion in 1988, DuPont reversed its stance on CFCs, calling for worldwide controls on production and phasing out its own CFC production. This decision was praised by environmentalists.
In 1989, DuPont City Council approved the development plans for Weyerhaeuser's Northwest Landing, anticipating a significant population growth and expansion of the city.
In 1990, DuPont was awarded the National Medal of Technology for its groundbreaking inventions including nylon, neoprene rubber, Teflon fluorocarbon resin, and various new fibers, films, and engineering plastics.
In 1993, DuPont scientist George Levitt was recognized with the National Medal of Technology for his significant contributions to the development of sulfonylurea herbicides.
By 1995, Seagram had become DuPont's largest single shareholder, holding a 24.3 percent ownership stake and having four seats on the board of directors. This ownership relationship between Seagram and DuPont was significant in the corporate landscape.
In 1996, DuPont scientist Stephanie Kwolek was acknowledged for her pioneering work in the discovery and development of Kevlar, a revolutionary material used in various applications.
In 1999, attorney Robert Bilott filed a lawsuit against DuPont, accusing the company of chemical waste contamination that led to property and water pollution issues, resulting in health problems.
In October 2001, DuPont sold its pharmaceutical business to Bristol Myers Squibb for $7.798 billion.
On its 200th anniversary in 2002, DuPont was honored with the prestigious Honor Award by the National Building Museum for its impactful products in the construction and design industry.
In 2004, DuPont sold its textiles business, including brands like Lycra and Dacron, to Koch Industries.
In 2005, BusinessWeek magazine and the Climate Group recognized DuPont as a leader in reducing carbon gas emissions, showcasing the company's commitment to environmental sustainability and innovation.
In May 2007, the $2.1 million DuPont Nature Center at Mispillion Harbor Reserve was opened to enhance the beauty and integrity of the Delaware Estuary, serving as a wildlife observatory and interpretive center.
In 2009, DuPont's City Government relocated from the Historic Village to the newly-built Civic Center in Northwest Landing, signifying a shift in administrative infrastructure.
In October 2010, DuPont started marketing a herbicide named Imprelis for controlling specific plants in turf areas. However, due to reports of tree damage and deaths, DuPont voluntarily withdrew Imprelis from the market in August 2011.
On January 9, 2011, DuPont announced the agreement to buy Danish company Danisco for US$6.3 billion.
On May 1, 2012, DuPont announced the acquisition of full ownership of the Solae joint venture, a soy-based ingredients company, from Bunge.
In February 2013, DuPont sold its Performance Coatings business to the Carlyle Group, which was later rebranded as Axalta Coating Systems.
In October 2013, DuPont revealed plans to spin off its Performance Chemicals business into a new publicly traded company, which eventually became The Chemours Company.
On November 15, 2014, a tragic incident occurred at a DuPont plant in Houston where a poisonous gas leak of 24,000 pounds of methyl mercaptan led to the death of four workers. DuPont pleaded guilty for criminal negligence and was fined $12 million.
On July 1, 2015, DuPont finalized the spin-off of its Performance Chemicals business into The Chemours Company, focusing on GMO seeds, solar panel materials, and alternatives to fossil fuels.
On December 11, 2015, DuPont announced a merger with Dow Chemical Company, forming the combined entity DowDuPont, with an estimated value of $130 billion.
In December 2016, a jury awarded $2 million in a case where testicular cancer was linked to PFOA exposure, with punitive damages of $10.5 million.
In 2017, DuPont settled 3,550 personal injury claims related to the Parkersburg, West Virginia plant for $671 million.
Jeff Fettig was announced to become executive chairman of DowDuPont on July 1, 2018, and Jim Fitterling would become CEO of Dow Chemical on April 1, 2018.
In 2019, DowDuPont separated its agricultural unit, including Pioneer Hi-Bred, into an independent public company named Corteva.
In February 2020, DuPont announced the return of Edward D. Breen as its CEO after the removal of former Chief Executive Mark Doyle and CFO Jeanmarie Desmond. Lori D. Koch assumed the CFO position.
In November 2021, DuPont announced its intention to acquire Rogers Corporation in a deal valued at $5.2 billion. However, due to delays in the regulatory review process, DuPont decided to walk away from the deal in November 2022.
On November 10, 2022, the state of California announced it was filing suit against both DuPont and 3M for their manufacturing of persistent organic pollutants. DuPont denied manufacturing the chemicals and claimed the state's claims were meritless.
DuPont released its 2024 Sustainability Report highlighting the company's commitment to sustainability across all aspects of its business.