Inventory of the Waldo L. Semon Papers, 1926-1990
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Title: |
Waldo L. Semon Papers, 1926-1990 |
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Repository: |
Archives and Special Collections, University Libraries, The University of Akron
Phone: 330-972-7670
http://www.uakron.edu/libraries/archives
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Creator: |
Semon, Waldo L. |
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Dates: |
1926-1990 |
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Quantity: |
8.75 cubic feet |
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Abstract: |
The Waldo L. Semon Papers consist of research notebooks, correspondence, technical articles, awards, and miscellaneous materials
concerning Dr. Semon's work at the B.F. Goodrich Company in Akron, Ohio.
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Identification: |
99/245 |
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Language: |
The records are in English |
Biography of Waldo F. Semon
Waldo Semon began working as a research chemist at the B. F. Goodrich Company in Akron, Ohio in 1926 at the age of twenty
seven. Through his research he developed and obtained patents for many improvements in the rubber and plastics industry.
His first major breakthrough occurred in 1927 with the invention of Koroseal, a highly polymerized vinyl chloride that is
used as a coating for electrical equipment because of its resistance to heat and moisture. While rubber chemists had attempted
to artificially reproduce rubber for greater cost efficiency and availability in the ear1y 1900s, the high demand and decreased
accessibility of natural rubber during World War II forced rubber manufacturers to test alternative methods for rubber production.
In 1940 Dr. Semon announced the successful testing of a new synthetic rubber to be used with natural rubber for tires called
Ameripol that would decrease the industry's dependence on rubber plantations in Asia.
While serving as Director of Synthetic Rubber Research at Goodrich from 1936 to 1943, Dr. Semon was also a committee member
on the Government Synthetic Rubber Program that developed GR-S, or Government Rubber - Styrene. After resigning as Vice President
and Director of the Hycar Chemical Cornpany (a division of B.F. Goodrich) in 1942 he took over the post of Director of Pioneer
Research until 1954 when he became Director of Polymer Research. In 1962 he was named Director of Corporate Forward Technology
and Basic Exploratory Research. After his retirement in October 1963 he continued on at BFG as Research Consultant and also
accepted a position as part-time Research Professor at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio.
Dr. Semen's research carried the B. F. Goodrich Company far beyond new improvements in tire technology. In his Brecksville
Research Lab Dr. Semon developed unique forms of plastics, rubber to metal bonding agents and age resistors to give polymerized
products longer life and durability. He also branched out into agricultural pursuits developing fertilizers and repellents
for plants against animals and insects and analyzed the use of chemicals in the production of paper. In addition to his dozens
of articles for technical journals and well over 150 patents, Dr. Semon added to his credentials by being awarded the Modern
Pioneer Award in 1940 and the Charles Goodyear Medal in 1946.
Dr. Semon was a member of the American Chemical Society, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, and the National Farm
Chemurgic Council. On the job, Dr. Semon balanced his work as a pure research chemist and a department director. With one
foot in the laboratory and one in the office, he obviously enjoyed performing experiments of discovery but was likewise efficiency
minded, always conscious of ways to cut operating costs and searching for practical applications to his creations for the
good of the company.
Scope and Content
The Waldo Semon Papers consists of experiment notes, correspondence, and research material accumulated between 1926 and 1966
while Dr. Semon was employed at the B. F. Goodrich Company in Akron, Ohio.
Statement of Arrangement
The papers are divided into the following five series: Series I: Notebooks The first series consists of Dr. Semon's notebooks
detailing various chemical experiments he performed from 1926 to 1962. An index file at the beginning of the Box 1 would
be useful to researchers with inquiries about specific experiments or rubber chemistry questions. The earlier notes are
cataloged sequentially alphanumerically. The notes from 1943 to 1949 are kept in journal form notebooks with each book bearing
a number and corresponding date under the title. Box 2 contains reports and notes from various years of specific experiments
and are designated by the compound or nature of the experiment. The dates of boxes 3 and 4 are approximated because certain
experiments were completed and then resumed at a later date. So, although the numbering sequence remains in order, the
dates may appear out of sequence. Series II: Correspondence Dr. Semon's correspondence files comprise Series II. The
correspondence dates from 1941 to 1966 and includes both incoming and outgoing correspondence. All outgoing correspondence
is numbered. Series III: Subject Files Series III contains Dr. Semon's subject files or general office files dating from
1926 to the late 1950s. Arranged in alphabetical order, these files contain research reports; publication notes and drafts;
correspondence involving specific chemistry questions and various organizations, institutions and corporations in contact
with Dr. Semon or his department; and primary notes. Series IV: Printed Material Printed material include newspaper clippings and articles about Dr. Semon and his work are included in Series IV. Series
V: Awards and Honors The fifth and final series includes awards and recognition certificates Dr. Semon accumulated as a
result of his work at B. F. Goodrich. The series is arranged chronologically.
Restrictions on Use
Copyright restrictions may apply. Permission to reproduce or publish materials in this collection must be secured in writing
from Archival Services, University Libraries, The University of Akron.
Restrictions on Access
No restrictions on access; except not available through interlibrary loan. Copyright restrictions may apply. Permission to
reproduce or publish materials in this collection must be secured in writing from Archival Services, University Libraries,
The University of Akron.
Related Material: Related Material
B.F. Goodrich Company Records, 1868-1990
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Subjects:
Rubber, Artificial--History
Rubber, Artificial--Research--United States
Persons:
Semon, Waldo Lonsbury, 1898-1999
Organizations/Corporations:
B.F. Goodrich Company
Preferred Citation
[Identification of Item], Waldo L. Semon Papers, Archival Services, University Libraries, The University of Akron, Akron,
Ohio
Detailed Description of The Collection
Series I: Notebooks, 1928-1963
BOX 1 / Folder 1
Experiment Notes, Problem A.100, Book V, 1944
BOX 1 / Folder 2
Experiment Notes, Problem A.100, Book IX, 1944
BOX 1 / Folder 3
Experiment Notes, Problem A.100, Book XI, 1944
BOX 1 / Folder 4
Experiment Notes, Problem A.100, Book XIII, 1944
BOX 1 / Folder 5
Experiment Notes, Problem A.100, Book XIV, 1944
BOX 1 / Folder 6
Experiment Notes, Problem A.100, Book XVIII, 1944
BOX 1 / Folder 7
Experiment Notes, Problem A.100, Book XXVI, 1945
BOX 1 / Folder 8
Experiment Notes, Problem A.100, Book XXX, 1945
BOX 1 / Folder 9
Experiment Notes, Problem A.100, Book XXXIV, 1946
BOX 1 / Folder 10
Experiment Notes, Problem A.100, Book XXXV, 1946
BOX 1 / Folder 11
Experiment Notes, Problem A.100, Book XL, 1946-1947
BOX 1 / Folder 12
Experiment Notes, Problem A.100, Book XLIII, 1947
BOX 1 / Folder 13
Experiment Notes, Problem A.100, Book 60, 1948
BOX 1 / Folder 14
Experiment Notes, Problem A.100, Book 65, 1948
BOX 1 / Folder 15
Experiment Notes, Problem A.100, Book 71, 1949
BOX 1 / Folder 16
Experiment Notes, Problem A.100, Book 75, 1949
BOX 1 / Folder 17
Experiment Notes, Problem A.100, Book 78, 1949
BOX 1 / Folder 18
Experiment Notes, Problem A.100, Book 82, 1949
BOX 2 / Folder 1
Research Notes, Paper industry - Potassium nitrate, sodium nitrate in pulp treatment, 1962
BOX 2 / Folder 2
Research Notes, Fertilizers, 1962-1963
BOX 2 / Folder 3
Research Notes, Sponge Division-Reports, 1963
BOX 2 / Folder 4
Research Notes, Sponge Division-Literature, 1963
BOX 2 / Folder 5
Research Notes, Potash Process Patents, Oxyinitration-Reports, 1962
BOX 2 / Folder 6
Research Notes, Hydrogen, Ammonia, Oxygen Nitric Acid, Phosphoric Acid Reports, undated
BOX 2 / Folder 7
Research Notes, Vinyl Chloride, 1962
BOX 2 / Folder 8
Research Notes, Rubber to Brass Adhesion with metal specifications, 1929-1933
BOX 2 / Folder 9
Research Notes, "The Adhesion of Rubber to Metal", 1932
BOX 3 / Folder 1
Experiment Records, 319WL-347WL2, 1934
BOX 3 / Folder 2
Experiment Records, 348WL-371WL, 1934
BOX 3 / Folder 3
Experiment Records, 372WL-381WL75, 1934-1936
BOX 3 / Folder 4
Experiment Records, 383WL-394WL9, August-December 1935
BOX 3 / Folder 5
Experiment Records, 395WL-414WL2, March-September 1936
BOX 3 / Folder 6
Experiment Records, 415WL-431WL10, May-December 1936
BOX 3 / Folder 7
Experiment Records, 432WL-457WL3-12, 1937-1939
BOX 3 / Folder 8
Experiment Records, 203WL-204W165, 1931-1932
BOX 3 / Folder 9
Experiment Records, 204WL90-205, 1931-1932
BOX 3 / Folder 10
Experiment Records, Problem 2.4, September 1930-1931
BOX 3 / Folder 11
Experiment Records, Problem 2.4, September 1930
BOX 3 / Folder 12
Experiment Records, 194WL1-83, January 1931
BOX 3 / Folder 13
Experiment Records, Problem, 1.34, 1930
BOX 3 / Folder 14
Experiment Records, Miscellaneous, 1951-1953
BOX 4 / Folder 1
Experiment Records, WL1-WL2, June 1926-April 1929
BOX 4 / Folder 2
Experiment Records, 62WL-90WL39, 1926-1930
BOX 4 / Folder 3
Experiment Records, 92WL-138WL42, October 1927-April 1932
BOX 4 / Folder 4
Experiment Records, 139WL-149WL, January 1929-March 1934
BOX 4 / Folder 5
Experiment Records, 149WI,90-140, April-September 1934
BOX 4 / Folder 6
Experiment Records, 149WL140-199, September 1934-July 1935
BOX 4 / Folder 7
Experiment Records, 149WL200-293, July 1935-October 1939
BOX 4 / Folder 8
Experiment Records, 149WL293-•331, October 1939-August 1942
BOX 4 / Folder 9
Experiment Records, 150WL-174WL, October 1929-March 1931
BOX 4 / Folder 10
Experiment Records, 174WL-202WL, 1930-1935
BOX 4 / Folder 11
Experiment Records, 205WL-227WL, 1928-1931
BOX 4 / Folder 12
Experiment Records, 229WL-237WL, June 1931-December 1932
BOX 4 / Folder 13
Experiment Records, 239WL-264WL, July 1931-March 1932
BOX 4 / Folder 14
Experiment Records, 164WL-295WL, February 1932-December 1933
BOX 4 / Folder 15
Experiment Records, 296WL-319WL, November 1932-August 1933
Series II: Correspondence, 1941-1990
BOX 5 / Folder 1-3
Correspondence (numbers 001-400), March 20 1941-December 31, 1941
BOX 5 / Folder 4-8
Correspondence (numbers 001-653), 1942
BOX 5 / Folder 9-16
Correspondence (numbers 001-726), 1943
BOX 5 / Folder 17-19
Correspondence (numbers 001-314), 1944
BOX 5 / Folder 20-22
Correspondence (numbers 001-440), 1945
BOX 5 / Folder 23-24
Correspondence (numbers 001-299), January 4, 1946-October 2, 1946
BOX 6 / Folder 1
Correspondence (numbers 300-408), October-December 1946
BOX 6 / Folder 2-3
Correspondence (numbers 001-350), 1947
BOX 6 / Folder 4
Correspondence (numbers 001-260), 1948
BOX 6 / Folder 5
Correspondence (numbers 001-216), 1949
BOX 6 / Folder 6
Correspondence (numbers 001-158), 1950
BOX 6 / Folder 7
Correspondence (numbers 001-126), 1951
BOX 6 / Folder 8
Correspondence (numbers 001-158), 1952
BOX 6 / Folder 9
Correspondence (numbers 001-123), 1953
BOX 6 / Folder 10
Correspondence (numbers 001-124), 1954
BOX 6 / Folder 11
Correspondence (numbers 001-126), 1955
BOX 6 / Folder 12
Correspondence (numbers 001-128), 1956
BOX 6 / Folder 13
Correspondence (numbers 001-153), 1957
BOX 6 / Folder 14
Correspondence (numbers 001-139), 1958
BOX 6 / Folder 15
Correspondence (numbers 001-139), 1959
BOX 6 / Folder 16
Correspondence (numbers 001-090), 1960
BOX 6 / Folder 17
Correspondence (numbers 001-103), 1961
BOX 6 / Folder 18
Correspondence (numbers 001-093), 1962
BOX 6 / Folder 19
Correspondence (numbers 01-048), 1963
BOX 6 / Folder 20
Correspondence, October 1963-December 1964
BOX 6 / Folder 21
Correspondence, January-December 1964
BOX 6 / Folder 22
Correspondence, January 1966-March 1967
BOX 6 / Folder 23
Correspondence , Allan Stahl to Dr. Semon regarding literary works (polymer science, polyvinyl chloride, biography of Semon,
etc.), 1983
BOX 6 / Folder 24
Correspondence (no numbers), Semon to Mansel Blackford regarding history of B.F. Goodrich manuscript, 1990
BOX 6 / Folder 25
Correspondence, John Ong (CEO of Goodrich) to Semon explaining rationale for Blackford writing company history; asking for
Semon's input, 1990
Series III: Subject Files, 1929-1965
BOX 7 / Folder 1
Acetylene Chemicals - Research Reports, 1954
BOX 7 / Folder 2
Acrylonitrile - Research Reports coinciding with lab notes in Box 1, 1934-48; patent reports and application, undated
BOX 7 / Folder 3
Adipic Acid, undated
BOX 7 / Folder 4
Age Resistors - Research Reports, 1944 - Paper presented to the American Chemical Society Institute, 1928; Surface application
paper, 1930, 1944
BOX 7 / Folder 5
Alcohol - Articles and excerpts regarding alcohol and petroleum products in the development of synthetic rubber, undated
BOX 7 / Folder 6
Aldehyde, undated
BOX 7 / Folder 7
American Chemical Society - Advisory Committee to the U.S. Army Chemical Corps, 1958
BOX 7 / Folder 8
Ameripol SN - Reprints of article in Industrial Engineering Chemistry, 1956
BOX 7 / Folder 9
Awards - Modern Pioneer, (with nomination application), 1940
BOX 7 / Folder 10
"B" Miscellaneous, undated
BOX 7 / Folder 11
Brass Plating - Report on brass plating for adhesion to rubber, 1929
BOX 7 / Folder 12
Brass Plating - Publications, 1936
BOX 7 / Folder 13
Buna, 1945 - History of German Synthetic Rubber plant - I.G. Farben Institute, 1945
BOX 7 / Folder 14
Butanedial - Chemical research laboratories report, 1937
BOX 7 / Folder 15
"C" Miscellaneous, undated
BOX 7 / Folder 16
Carbon Black and reinforcing pigment, undated
BOX 7 / Folder 17
Chlorine Plant - Feasibility study of electrolytic cell plant for the prediction of chlorine in making polyvinyl chloride, 1940-1941
BOX 7 / Folder 18
Clark plant, undated
BOX 7 / Folder 19
Conductive Rubber - Correspondence, undated
BOX 7 / Folder 20
Corrosion - Corrosive Reporter Vol. 5, undated
BOX 7 / Folder 21
Creosol - Notes, Correspondence and reports, 1939-1945
BOX 7 / Folder 22
"D" Miscellaneous, undated
BOX 7 / Folder 23
Emulsifying Agents - Research reports and memos, 1943-1944
BOX 7 / Folder 24
"F" Miscellaneous, undated
BOX 7 / Folder 25
Farm Chemurgic Council, 1949-1952
BOX 7 / Folder 26
Fluorochemicals - Notes, 1957
BOX 7 / Folder 27
Furfuryl amine, undated
BOX 7 / Folder 28
"G" Miscellaneous, undated
BOX 7 / Folder 29
Charles Goodyear Award, 1944
BOX 7 / Folder 30
"H" Miscellaneous, undated
BOX 7 / Folder 31
Hevea Type Rubber - Data Booklet, undated
BOX 7 / Folder 32
Hexachlorcyclopentadiene - Notes; Preliminary Technicaldata - general information, 1947
BOX 7 / Folder 33
Historical Development, undated
BOX 7 / Folder 34
Hycar Tax file, 1944
BOX 7 / Folder 35
Hydrogen Cyanide - Technical Reports, 1940-1947
BOX 7 / Folder 36
Hydrogen Chloride and Soda Ash - Research Reports, 1965
BOX 7 / Folder 37
Hydroquinone - War Production Board news release, 1945
BOX 8 / Folder 1
Isocyanates - Technical reports, 1954
BOX 8 / Folder 2
Jato - Fuel Propellants conception sheets, undated
BOX 8 / Folder 3
"K" Miscellaneous, undated
BOX 8 / Folder 4
Kamlet Chemicals - Meeting, August 1950
BOX 8 / Folder 5
Ketene - Research reports, 1943
BOX 8 / Folder 6
Kriston - Background information, 1945
BOX 8 / Folder 7
Laboratory Research - New facility - requests and recommendations to management, 1940-1944
BOX 8 / Folder 8
Lectures, 1953-1954
BOX 8 / Folder 9
3-Methoxypropionablehyde - Research Reports, 1948
BOX 8 / Folder 10
Methyl Methacrylate - Cost estimates, 1950
BOX 8 / Folder 11
Miscellaneous - Notes of Research experiments with various material, undated
BOX 8 / Folder 12
Molecular Pumps - Purchase orders, 1948
BOX 8 / Folder 13
Molecular Stills - Operating instructions, 1944
BOX 8 / Folder 14
Monomers - Index, 1954
BOX 8 / Folder 15
"N" Miscellaneous, undated
BOX 8 / Folder 16
1,5 Naphthalene Diamine, 1948
BOX 8 / Folder 17
Nirub - Research reports, 1955
BOX 8 / Folder 18
Nitrile Rubber - Reports, 1945-1946
BOX 8 / Folder 19
N I X Goodrite Research Reports, 1949
BOX 8 / Folder 20
"O" Miscellaneous, undated
BOX 8 / Folder 21
"P" Miscellaneous, undated
BOX 8 / Folder 22
Patents and Publications - lists (with short biography), 1952
BOX 8 / Folder 23
Perbunan - Comparison studies with Hycar, 1952
BOX 8 / Folder 24
Personal file - Correspondence, 1926-1939
BOX 8 / Folder 25
Photographs, undated
BOX 8 / Folder 26
Photocopies, undated
BOX 8 / Folder 27
Plastics - reports, 1944
BOX 8 / Folder 28
Plasticizers - Research reports, 1944-1946
BOX 8 / Folder 29
Polymer Program - Status report, 1951
BOX 8 / Folder 30
Polyvinyl Chloride - Reports, 1938
BOX 8 / Folder 31
Publications - Articles, 1948-1954
BOX 8 / Folder 32
Publicity - Biographies, resumes and vitae, undated
BOX 8 / Folder 33
Reservation Travel - Trip request forms, itinerary, 1946-1954
BOX 8 / Folder 34
Travel Advance - Permits, 1948-1954
BOX 8 / Folder 35
Tuads - Research Reports, 1930-1931
BOX 8 / Folder 36
Vinyl Benzoate - Research Report and cost estimates, 1946, 1953
Series IV: Printed Material, 1940-1991
BOX 9 / Folder 1
Newspaper clippings from the Akron Beacon Journal regarding Dr.Semen's life, work, achievements, and retirement, 1940
BOX 9 / Folder 2
"A Tribute to W. L. Semon - Presented at his Retirement," (contains letters of congratulations from co-workers, colleagues
and various people in the industry), September 30, 1963
BOX 9 / Folder 3
B. F. Goodrich history by Beasley, undated
Series V: Awards and Honors, 1933-1991
BOX 9 / Folder 4
United States Patent Plaques - Synthetic Rubber-like Composition and Method of Making Same; Method of Preparing Polyvinyl
Halide Products, October 10, 1933
BOX 9 / Folder 5
New York Patent Law Association Inventor of the Year, 1981
BOX 9 / Folder 6
The Plastics Hall of Fame, 1982
BOX 9 / Folder 7
BFG Geon Vinyl Division - Glass Bowl Honoring Dr. Semon;Plastics Academy Industrial Achievement Award in Material
Manufacturer category, 1990-1991
BOX 9 / Folder 8
COSI Ohio Science and Technology Hall of Fame, 1991
BOX 10 / Folder 1
Morley Medal of the American Chemical Society, April 1968
BOX 10 / Folder 2
Kent State University - Honorary Degree, Doctor of Science, May 1981
BOX 10 / Folder 3
International Synthetic Rubber Award, October 1964
BOX 11 / Folder 1
American Chemical Society - Fifty Year Membership Certificate, January 1968
BOX 11 / Folder 2
Kent State University - Distinguished Service Award, March 1968
BOX 11 / Folder 3
Goodrich Ameripol 2,000,000,000 tire ad, framed, undated
BOX 12 / Folder 1
H.E. Fritz Portrait, signed, 1943 June 25
BOX 12 / Folder 2
T.G. Graham Portrait, signed, undated
BOX 12 / Folder 3
John Collyer Portait, signed, undated
BOX 13 / Folder 1
Alumnus Summa Laude Dignatus - University of Washington College of Engineering, 1946
BOX 13 / Folder 2
American Institute of Chemical Engineers - Lifetime Honorary Membership, March 1964
BOX 13 / Folder 3
American Chemical Society - Charles Goodyear Medal, April 1946
BOX 14 / Folder 1
Framed Franklin Institute " The Elliot Cression Medal for Achievements in the field of Rubber and Plastics, October 1964
OVERSIZED MATERIAL: Portrait of Arthur Marks (bequeathed to Dr. Semon by David Spence), undated