A detailed description of the Roy Plunkett collection - Box #1: 1938 - 1988:

Folder #1- Photograph - reenactment of Plunkett and his assistant, Jack Rebok, in the DuPont laboratories following the discovery of the chemical reaction for PTFE, better known as "Teflon" (1938).

Folder #1 - Two photograph of two pages from Plunkett's notebook describing the chemical reaction. Copyright restrictions.

Folder #2 - Plunkett with cable insulated with "Teflon" and muffin tin coated with "Teflon." Copyright restriction.

Folder #3 - 1982 Plunkett correspondence with G. Ulrich (University of New Hampshire, College of Technology) regarding drawing depicting an individual sawing open cylinders.

Folder #4 - Copies of 1941 [Tetrafluoroethylene Polymers],1949[Manufacturing Tetraethyl Lead] and 1959 [Manufacturing Tetraethyl Lead] patents. Photocopies of lab notebook, pages 52 and 53 [5 April 1938 and 8 April 1938]. Formula for chemical reaction.  Graph.

Folder #5 - Compilation of "Notes on the Development of 'Teflon'" prepared for use by a member of the Public Relations Department in a talk for the freshman engineering class at the University of Michigan (1958). "Company Confidential ' no portion to be used outside of the Company without clearance.

Folder #6 - 1952 - "Privilege, Duty and Responsibility," an address to be given by Roy Plunkett at Manchester College, 10 September 1952.

Folder #7 - Du Pont Chambers Works News, 6 June 1952 - newspaper - "Chemical Society Honors Dr. Plunkett For His Initial Discovery of 'Teflon,' Receives Scott Award at Gala Dinner in Club."

Folder #8 - Publicity, correspondence, clippings, and photograph associated with the John Scott Award (an American Chemical Society award) 1952..

Folder Section #9a-g - Various programs and photographs from the Du Pont Chambers Works Service Department - circa 1949  through 1964. Program for "Testimonial Dinner, Roy J. Plumkett," at the DePont-Penns Grove Country Club, New Jersey, 1952. 

Program for Francis Knowles (Works Manager Chambers Works) o the occasion of his retirement 30 September 1961.

Undated clipping picturing local DuPont "Veteranettes."

Program for John Charles Kinahan on the occasion of his retirement, 30 April 1964 (Chambers Works Staff).

Chambers Works 15 June 1949 group photograph and other Chambers Works photographs (circa 1950 - 1951). 25 year party "Recruits of 1925" group photo. Various themed celebrations and awards photographs, probably at Chambers Works

Folder #10 - Plunkett speaks at the Southeastern Pennsylvania Section of the American Chemical Society - arrangements and publicity (1953).  Letter from the Vice Chairman (H. H. Quickel) of the Hamilton Watch Company, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Folder #11 - Graphic script for illustrative tape recording (probably sponsored by the American Chemical Society) about Plunkett's discovery of the white powder.

Folder #12 - 1955 and 1956 arrangements for Plunkett talk to be made on Polytetrafluoroethylene before the Cornell Section, American Chemical Society on 2 May 1956.  Included is an outline of Plunkett's presentation.

Folder #13 - Plastics Industry honors Plunkett; Copy of clipping, "Plastics Industry to Honor Du Ponter," March 1969. Correspondence from 1963 and 1969 special recognition from plastics industry.  Snapshots - probably from the semi-annual meeting of the Fluorocarbons Division of the Society of the Plastics Industry (October 1963) where Plunkett received a plaque.  1969 award from the fluorocarbon division of the Society of the Plastic Industry.

Folder #14 - "The Journal of Teflon," article -  "Monomers and the Man: The Origin of a Legend - Don't call it a 'lucky break' unless you equate luck with work.  That, plus an insatiable curiosity, was the 'magic ingredient' which led to the discovery of "Teflon' TFE-fluorocarbon resins."

Folder #15 - Membership to the "American Chemical Society."  Program for the 1965 "Modern Pioneers in Creative Industry Awards," (Plunkett under "Scroll Winners."

Folder #16 - Photographs and programs from colleagues' retirement celebrations and other events [DuPont related] -  Viktor Weinmayer (1965), William Dettwyler and Louis Spiegler (1964), Frederick Baxter Downing (1959), John Rebok (Rebokski), 1963 visit from Prof. Melvin Calvin, 1961 visit of Prof. J. C. Smith, 1965 visit by Prof. Peter Debye, Plunkett (?) receives golf award, Prof. Paul Green lectures in 1967, 1967 visit of Prof. G. H. Williams, 1967 visit by Prof. Michael Green, Plunkett and colleagues, Plunkett receiving framed honors. Plunkett with Industrial Science Achievement Award.  Plunkett with Board of Director's Award / Jackson Lab.

Folder #17 - National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) 2 December 1965 Modern Pioneers in Creative Industry attendee list. Plunkett receives a NAM "Modern Pioneers in Creative Industry" honor scroll award. Printed remarks of Dr. Frederick Hovde and news release from the National Association of Manufacturers.

Folder #18 - Plunkett receives Honorary Doctorate of Science from Washington College, Chestertown, Maryland - congratulations and news clipping, invitation to George Washington's Birthday Ball, luncheon, and statement read at Washington College when Plunkett receives Doctor of Science, honoris causa.

Folder #19 - Joseph Park, Professor of Chemistry at the University of Colorado sends 21 March 1968 congratulations on receipt of honorary degree.

Folder #20 - Plunkett speaks to the Women's Club of Salem, New Jersey , October 1969.

Folder #21 - Plunkett receives citation from the Fluorocarbons Division of The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. for his numerous contributions to the fluorocarbons industry.

Folder #22 - 5th International Symposium on Fluorine Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow University, July 1969 - Abstract, "A Diamond Heart in the Skin of a Rhinoceros," translation from PRAVDA 25 July 1967 on Fluorine Chemistry by Academician I. L. Knunyants, programs, abstract, photographs, vinyl records featuring Russian Composers (in folder 22b).

Folder #23 - circa 1969-1973 - Du Pont Security clearance - group photograph of Gordon Research Conferences 15-19 July 1968 in Fluorine Chemistry - copy of Du Pont Nieuws (Netherlands) with article on Plunkett "Ontdekker,,TEFLON" Bezocht Dordrecht." - Program for "National Engineers' Week Banquet, 27 February 1971."

Folder #24 - Plunkett receives an award inducting him into the first Plastics Hall of Fame. {"If there was any luck involved, it was that the cylinders did not explode." - Program and article in "Du Pont News," 1 December 1973 - 1974 "Journal of Commerce," 24 October 1974 article - Script for visual and audio presentation.

Folder #25 - Retirement related articles, correspondence, and publicity.

Folder #26 - Snapshot album in honor of Plunkett's retirement. It appears as if our collection holds the same metal canister that appears in the pictures (see final page of album where Plunkett holds canister over his wife's head).

Folder #27 - July 1976 issue of "The Chemist" featuring an article on Roy Plunkett (pg. 16) where he is recognized as an "AIC Chemical Pioneer" (The American Institute of Chemists, Inc.) -  Plunkett, as a past recipient of the Chemical Pioneer Award, is asked to supply names of deserving nominees.

Folder #28 - Correspondence from Ray Seymour regarding "Polymer News" article (1983 and February 1984).

Folder #29 - Letter from Dr. B. Iddon, University of Salford, April 1983.

Folder #30 - Plunkett is inducted into the "Inventors Hall of Fame" (1985) and folders #30, #31, #32 contain speeches, correspondence, family remembrances, letters of congratulation, articles, accommodations and travel plans, photograph (folder #32).

Folder #33 - More "Inventors Hall of Fame" materials - programs - booklets - travel arrangements - the story of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office - first Black inductees - folder might include "Hall of Fame" materials for other years following 1985.

Folder #34 - It appears as if Du Pont had their own celebration honoring Plunkett's induction into the "Hall of Fame" - contents of album/scrapbook with photographs and promotional materials. The archivist believes that the crystal and stand located in the Plunkett collection was used as a table centerpiece for this event. 

Folder #35 - American Chemical Society materials 1986 and 1987 including  the project, "The Du Pont Company and How it Grew," with the story of Plunkett and reference to Manchester College.

Folder #35b - Materials related to the March 23-26, 1986 meeting of the Fluoropolymers Division of The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. Reference to joining in the toast for the Statue of Liberty - "Teflon" is doing its part for the restoration.

Folder #36 - Photograph of golf outing June 1986.

Folder #37 - Materials related to the celebrative symposium in honor of the 100th Anniversary of the Fluorine Isolation (Brussels) - Plunkett itinerary for symposium and post symposium tours - travel arrangements and honorary tokens of appreciation.

Folder #38 - Autographed booklet commemorating Henri Moissan's isolation of fluorine - programs and materials related to the international symposium of 1986 held in Brussels, Belgium.

Folder #39 - Teflon* Finishes Inauguration Ceremony Commemorative Dinner for Lincensees and Press, Brussels, 1 September 1986, Speeches by Casey, Vaughn, and Roy Punkett.

Official Inauguration of Teflon* Finishes Production Facility and Quality Control Laboratory, Mechelen, 1 September 1986, Speeches by Casey, Hangebrauk, Smit, Roy Plunkett (Inventor PTFE)

N.B. Teflon* is Du Pont's registered trademark.

Folder #40 - Moissan Centennial photograph of Roy and Lois Plunkett. Receipt of Moissan medal.

Photographs - probably during the same time period: Roy Plunkett in individual photographs with representatives from Pulvitec, Asberit, DuPont, Firlon. Norton/Abifluor.

Folder #41 - Beautiful menu from the Dusseldorf Hilton International, 3 September 1986.

Folder #42 - Photograph album begins with Lois and Roy Plunkett Moissan snapshots.  It also contains 1 September 1986 pictures. Plunkett's nametag matches 100 year celebration logo (? check this out). Facility tour. Plunkett speech.  Molecular logo on wall (compare to 100 year celebration image). Pictures of the Dr. Roy J. Plukett Teflon* Finishes Production Unit of Du Pont (Mechelen?). Plunkett holds bell that is now on display on 2nd floor MU Science Center.

Folder #43 - Plunkett introduction at Norton Pampus by Norbert Stahrfeldt - Du Pont De Nemours (Deutschland) GMBH - facility brochure - tour schedule - employee list - press releases.[ Note: It is hard to determine where some of the articles in Plunkett's collection belong.  Sometimes materials might be mixed up and a future organizer will have to investigate and fix these things.]

Folder #44 - 25 years of Teflon skillets and cookware materials.  Congratulatory letters and clippings.

Folder #45 - Schedule and arrangements for European trip 1988.

Folder #45b- January 1988 - Du POnt celebrates 50th anniversary of nylon.

Folder #46 - Beginning of a series of folders celebrating 50 years of PTFE (Teflon*).  Article in "Aerospace Engineering," April 1988 and early photograph near the time of Plunkett's discovery. It appears as if we might have some of the same items in the photograph in our collection of Teflon  objects.

Folder #47 - Amsterdam trip 1988 - Makkums Plate (now located in IS, west wall, left of door).

Folder #48 - 1988, Du Pont celebrates 50 years of Teflon - Plunkett articles, clippings, correspondence, interview and festivity arrangements.

Folder #49 - Clippings received from Dr. Seymour, The University of Southern Mississippi.

Folder #50 - More Plunkett related articles and Teflon's 50th Anniversary.

Folder #51 - Correspondence from George Kauffman, Professor of Chemistry, regarding  his articles on "Teflon" and a copy of "Teflon - 50 Slippery Years," published in "Education in Chemistry," November 1968. This article also lists Plunkett's awards and citation up until 1988.

Folder #52 - Celebration of Teflon's 50th anniversary in Chicago, with special guest, Roy Plunkett. Rich Little was the entertainer.  Photograph of the Plunketts with Rich Little.

Folder #53 - Roy Plunkett recipient of the John W. Hyatt Award, April 1988, in recognition of his contribution to mankind in the area of plastics. Photograph of award - correspondence - awards program - program for awards luncheon.

Description of photographs:

Folder #1: "Dr. Roy Plunkett...fand im Jahre 1938 in den de Pont Laboratorien - nach einer unbeabsightigten chemischen Reaktion - die Formel Fur PTFE, heute beser bekannt unter anderem als "Teflon"."

Folder #1: "Zwei Seiten aus dem Tagebuch von Dr. Roy Plunkett, die im April 1938 die Entdeckung eines "weiBen festen Materials" beschreiben, das - wie die nachtragliche Prufung ergab - Polytetrafluorethylen ( PTFE ) war."

"Two pages that changed the shape of our world, these 1938 entries from the laboratory notebook of Dr. Roy J. Plunkett, a chemist with the Du Pont Company, record his discovery of "Teflon".  Base on the work begun on these two pages, Plunkett, holder of the original patent for "Teflon", was invited to join Thomas Edison and the Wright Brothers in the National Inventors' Hall of Fame."

Plunkett reenacts discovery of "Teflon" in his laboratory.  He shows assistant, Jack Rebok, "the white powdery material he scraped from inside the cylinder they curiously sawed open after a 'failed' experiment with refrigeration gasses.  Bob McHarness looks on..."

Folder #2 - Muffin tins were among the first items of cookware coated with "Teflon."

Description prepared 8 and 9 December 2015 by Jeanine M. Wine.

Folder #54 - Programs - "A Material World" and the celebration of  "The 50th Anniversary of TEFLON," hosted by The Director of the National Museum of American History and The Chairman of the Board of E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company on 26 May 1988 at the National Museum of American History, Washington, D.C. Program copies the two pages of Plunkett's notebook following the discovery of the white powder.   Travel arrangements and correspondence - itinerary - even menu - arrangements for film to be shown at the Plunkett Award Event at the Smithsonian Institute in May of 1988 and for Du Pont events.  - brochure, "TEFLON Turns 50, and one good turn deserves another" - guest packet with calligraphy on envelope - schedule of events.