CHEMICAL REACTION AT DUPONT IS REVOLUTIONARY
Wilmington, Delaware (JFK+50) On July 4, 1920, a researcher at DuPont* Chemical Laboratories here in Wilmington produced a chemical reaction which led to the development of DUCO**, a nitro cellulose lacquer which made possible the mass production of automobiles of different colors in addition to the standard black.
While cars prior to 1924 could be individually custom painted in different colors, the paint required one full month to dry. The first mass produced car made available in a color other than black was General Motors' 1924 Oakland Tourer. It was painted dark blue.
By 1925, Henry Ford, who once boasted to customers that they could have any color car they wanted "as long as it is black," was producing "Model Ts" in a variety of colors.
*DuPont was founded in Wilmington, Delaware in 1802 as a gunpowder mill. In the 20th Century, DuPont developed synthetic rubber, nylon and teflon. In 2014, DuPont was the 4th largest chemical company in the world & in 2017 merged with Dow Chemical Company.
**Duco finish is described as "a pyroxylin material made from chemically treated cotton." Colors available in the Duco finish included white, blue, scarlet, brown, yellow, green, gray, orange and crimson.
SOURCE
"A New du Pont Product--Duco Finish opens a much larger field for the practical use of soluble cotton," The DuPont Magazine, November-December 1922.
Wilmington, Delaware (JFK+50) On July 4, 1920, a researcher at DuPont* Chemical Laboratories here in Wilmington produced a chemical reaction which led to the development of DUCO**, a nitro cellulose lacquer which made possible the mass production of automobiles of different colors in addition to the standard black.
While cars prior to 1924 could be individually custom painted in different colors, the paint required one full month to dry. The first mass produced car made available in a color other than black was General Motors' 1924 Oakland Tourer. It was painted dark blue.
By 1925, Henry Ford, who once boasted to customers that they could have any color car they wanted "as long as it is black," was producing "Model Ts" in a variety of colors.
*DuPont was founded in Wilmington, Delaware in 1802 as a gunpowder mill. In the 20th Century, DuPont developed synthetic rubber, nylon and teflon. In 2014, DuPont was the 4th largest chemical company in the world & in 2017 merged with Dow Chemical Company.
**Duco finish is described as "a pyroxylin material made from chemically treated cotton." Colors available in the Duco finish included white, blue, scarlet, brown, yellow, green, gray, orange and crimson.
SOURCE
"A New du Pont Product--Duco Finish opens a much larger field for the practical use of soluble cotton," The DuPont Magazine, November-December 1922.
1928 Oakland Sport Cabriolet
Photo by Lars-Goran Lindgren
Sweden (2007)
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