Irwin Laverne Powers Papers

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: 6701

Scope and Contents

Includes Powers's chemistry notes, 1902-1903, with cloth samples (swatches) from his work at Silver Spring; a notebook labeled "Special mercury," with descriptions of chemical experiments; and notes concerning linen bleaching and dyes and dyestuffs. Also contains an essay on the history of dyes and dyestuffs by Powers's daughter, Dorothy Powers, written in 1926 while she was a student at Thayer Academy, Braintree, Massachusetts. It mentions her father's role in synthetic dye manufacture.

Dates

1902-1903

Conditions Governing Access

Access to the collections in the Kheel Center is restricted. Please contact a reference archivist for access to these materials.

Conditions Governing Use

This collection must be used in keeping with the Kheel Center Information Sheet and Procedures for Document Use.

Biographical / Historical

Powers was born in Hamilton, New York in 1879, graduated from Boston Latin in 1897 and Harvard University in 1902. He worked as a chemist at Silver Spring Bleaching & Dyeing Co., Providence, Rhode Island; General Electric Co., Lynn, Massachusetts; Acker Process Co., Niagara Falls, New York; and as an experimental chemist at National Electrolytic Chemical Manufacturing Co.

Extent

0 cubic feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Chemistry notebooks with cloth samples, from Powers' work at Silver Spring Bleaching & Dyeing Company, Providence, Rhode Island. Also notes concerning linen bleaching & dyes and dyestuffs. Also essay on history of dyes and dyestuffs written by Powers' daughter, Dorothy Powers, while she was a student at Thayer Academy, Braintree, Massachusetts. She mentions her father's role in synthetic dye manufacture.