POST-WORLD WAR I RESEARCH
With the conclusion of World War I, George A. Richter and a number of scientists from the Chemical Warfare Service returned to Berlin ready to expand Brown Company’s research program and create new post-war products. Perhaps the most notable new arrival was William E. Corbin, whose name spelled backwards, Nibroc, would later be identifi ed with the company’s paper towel products. Over the next 40 years a number of leading scientists joined the department’s staff. Through their combined efforts Brown Company held almost 800 patents in the United States and Canada by 1946. Many of their successes related to improvements to product production. Products that Brown Company scientists developed included waxed paper, kraft paper twine, photographic pulp, synthetic insoles, paper fi lters, sand paper, and cellophane.
Dr. Ge o r ge A. Ri c h t e r, 1957
Richter ser ved as director of research for Brown Company from 1 9 1 9 t o 1 9 4 0 . Du r i n g t h a t p e r i o d s ome 4 0 0 p a t e n t s we r e g r a n t e d
t o Dr . R i c h t e r . He s p e c i a l i z e d i n h i g h l y p u r i f i e d a n d h i g h b r i g h t n e s s p u l p s f o r u s e i n p h o t o g r a p h i c p a p e r . He wa s o n l y t h e s e c o n d
Ame r i c a n t o b e awa r d e d a n h o n o r a r y d o c t o r a t e b y t h e Ch a lme r s Te c h n i c a l I n s t i t u t e o f t h e Un i v e r s i t y o f Go t e b o r g i n Swe d e n .
W. E . C o rbi n , 1920
Co r b i n j o i n e d R i c h t e r a t B r own Comp a n y f o l l owi n g Wo r l d Wa r I a n d was recognized as an outstanding expert in kraft paper.
Most notably, Corbin was instrumental in the development of the first wet-strength paper towel (Nibroc), which soon became a n imp o r t a n t a n d p r o f i t a b l e p r o d u c t .
Ge o r ge A. Day, 1946
Ge o r g e A. Da y b e c ame d i r e c t o r o f t h e d e p a r tme n t a f t e r R i c h t e r retired. He had joined the company 20 years earlier after a shor t career with a consulting laboratory in Toronto. Under Day the research department boasted over 25 university-trained scientists and 50 research assistants.
Nibroc Towels, 1921
Bales of pulp ready to be shipped to Eastman Kodak Company, 1936
DAY
CORBIN
RICHTER
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