‘he need for the prepellent. has become so important that the

Wer Departnent has authorized Monsanto to provide facilities at
Marehall, fexas, for its large-scale manufséture. The scops of
“this development nay be reslized from estimates of the final size
of the plant at Merchall, which will cover approxinately 2030 acres!

Bien nillien dollars will be spent in its construction and it

be staffed by soprizinately 7OO empleyes. Boring the period

betes used. for x

various #ar agenties: Br...
ites. which formulst ethe -

ex



the staircase from the second to the third floor w
Also, extensive renovetion was necessary to fit the building
for service as o chemical research laboratory. This site
bocome known as Unit II| and all activities were tronsferred

in October 1944.

A lack of sciontific oquipment plagued the project from the

outset. Total initial loborotory supptios ot the Seminary

building consisted of o “bushel basket" filled with essorted

Unit II! site in 1948, Cafeteria.is shown in foreground ond
corner of physics building in left foreground.”

This was no oasy job with the war on; and it'wos made mére diffi
cult due t0 the secret nature of the project, No official pri-

drity rating was obtainable because griy “official ralétionship
with the Manhatten Engi jeer District hed te be avoided for
security reasons, Fortunately, & state in thet Mon jive was’
engaged in’ critical govermment“work wos noemetty rr

obtain the necessary materials, “Whore ‘aie! failed: sclediisis
either improvised or moneged to oot by" without the equipment."

All Manhattan Proiset'wotk at Dayton, was secret and the security





OFFICE FOR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
OFFICE OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
1590 P STREET NW.
WASHINGTON, D: C.
April 13, 1943.

Mr, Charles Belnap, President,
Monsanto Chemical Company,
Dayton, Ohic.

Dear Mr. Belnap:

fhe procedure which is being adopted in connec-
tion with patent matters concerning a recent develop-
ment .on propellants has been reported to me by Dr.
“Kis owsky ina” recent letter. He tells me that Dr.
mpahy has informed him that the Com-

- DeBy nae ‘taken certain steps in this regard greatly
oderi fy

csemplex patent situation.

write ‘because it is certainly my impression

- that your’ Company has taken these steps because of a

high sense of patriotic duty and a willingness to fore-
go'certain possible patent rights in your Company in -
_order-to arrive at: a solution of the entire matter which
is favorable to the United States Government and such
as to give a clear-cut position where ‘otherwise there
might be some confusion.: I would ‘like to tell’ you per-
-Sonekly that I greatly appreciate this attitude on the
part of your_Ccomp ‘ny.’ The relations between this Office
and-your.“organization.in eonnection with important. der
‘Velopments which have been carried on in the interests
of the war effort have been cordial and effective. I
- believe that you should take great satisfaction in the
that. are attained, .and in the- fact ‘that, these ~
in getting:en- with “the war. - Im addi-
*you-have my- personal” expression of appreciation

of the gracious manner in which you have approached the

patent problem which has arisen in connection with this
development.

cordially yours,

Vv. Bush,
Director.





groan cork floor, @ stage, @ squash court, lounges, end en ovt-

I 4 security fencing, 24 hour per doy exterior lighting and
door swimming pool. .

To quail the neighbors' complaints, no deliveries wor!

farmed guards patrolling the site displeased the neighbors,

a made, bingide the fence.
the sito by commercial carriers. Rather deliveries w

to Unit IU,

.o had no idea of the urgency of the procésses boing conducted
where they wore reloaded onto smaller government, «

‘stensive alterations to the exterior of the main bu{lding |:
vehicles and shuttled to Runnymede, Still, the Installation

not required, but the interiof presented'many problems
facilities and laboratories.,Care

IEE was exercised in moking @
gees :
ers

in constructing process

5 fow changes af possible in the

“building to alleviate the problem of restoration upon vacating .

the site. Procoutions were taken to minimize annoyances such *

s noise, smoke ond dirt 10 avoid undue eriticlsim from the

sidential oreo,

-become known, however, after the’
tcinle weapons, thet the woth at thé'plaphodsd: vt
ai
nplainy eciA
Ye found a dead bird in ov" ytd, Wendt Have Hdbn

chock hi

ak

eee Séexainple’s. One
4 7 ” pemeeeer Cre Ta Be ay ats Sage

Loading dock at Unit IV. Shipments were shuttled rot Fe heme oe ese eae

Unit Ill using small government vehicles. Corrugated, 4 Vastigote. A Iscal testing labor:
glass roof is visible in the background. ver

~ the situation and reported that the



James H. Lum,
Laboratory Director,
1943 - 1945

_source of neutrons, substomle particles which would assure

ion of a choin reaction, Discovered by Plerre ond Marle Curie

in 1898, polon

m wos named to honor Poland, her home, Prior to

Monsanto's involvement in the Manhattan Project no weighable_

_svantities of the pura element hod ever beon isolated and prop:

argtion of the pure moral called for the development of revolu-

tionary selontific tochniques.

_atlginal Nicholas Raad location was desianoted os Unit h._

Dr. James H. Lum from Mongonto was appointed Laborato

cand Dr, W. C, Femolius from Ohio St

Associate Laboratory Director. “age

1944 - 1945,
_Loboratory Director,
1945 + 1946,

University

4



have acted as consultants in physical chemistry and physics to

unit,

John R. Bek was assigned to the initiel research ab the main ¥

lsborateries of Central Research Department on the propelient

project. With the establishment of Unit 2, he became project

director ani remained in this position until he was transferred

> tothe Brenton plant on daly 1, ight, as. ‘Sssistant plant nanager.

He Was stccoeded at. Ent. “2 by C. Rogers Mobal

dirietor, has supervised the operations at this nit and hes as-

sted’ in” the estab 2ichaont of the targe plont. ‘at_Mershall, foxes.

eliaeter, Robert ene Wit aw Dunlap

tronsterred, fro Centred Research ‘to unit 2 for the: duration, .

Herbert Morris, ‘Pasi Jacobs, Robert Wangeria, end Williom Slager

nére transferred from Payton to fexas City for supervisory positions

‘Be. the styrene plant,

In sadition, there were: these sransfere from ther Yonsanto locations .



a contract was completed for research on a problem in the field
. of quid fuels, This problem was of vital interest te England
during the dark days of the war when invasion of the British
Isles by Germany appeared imminent, Research was prosecuted with
great vigor, With the result ‘that in April, 19h1, a solution to
the problem was secured and the contract was suecessfally termin~

‘ated.

on’ in 1939 in “ebaischion'w w hh 4] ; plastics devel~

opment for the Company. By 19h1 the fundasentals for a successful

precess had been established. Pilot plant, studies were then initi~

‘eted in'Bayton. To speed the transfer fron research to production,

ext nsive training progran tor personne} for the. Production unit

ty



=a

ajor Gen. C. 7, Harris, Jr. March 26, 1942.

You have sent one of your staff to our laboratories to ob-
serve the process. He has been given complete information regarding
it. You have suggested to us that we place this process immediately
under concentrated research in order to be able to make recommendations
to the government as to its practicability.

We regard this process as unfinished. We believe that con-
tinued laboratory development would improve it. Our pilot plant has
run continuously only one month. We know that further continued
operation of our pilot plant may reveal unknown but inherent difficui-
ties. Therefore, in normal commercial development of this process
we would not time the erection of a commercial plant now. We would
continue pilot plant operation until satisfied that all difficulties
to be revealed by its continued operation had been uncovered.

We know, too, from past experience, that unforseen troubles
are encountered in translating pilot plant results into commercial
production; that it is not possible to duplicate in pilot plants all
onditions of commercial plants. In the present instance, this comment
heey pertinent to the convertor phase of our formaldehyde
8 esis.

Now, if due to the urgency of the situation and despite a
full understanding of the position of this process, you desire us to
proceed with a commercial plant, we are willing to begin immediately
the design and proceed with construction at the earliest possible
-moment.

It is our recommendation, however, that such a plant not
exceed a capacity of 124 tons per day of 100% formaldehyde. It is
our belief that such a plant can be built for $1,250,000. It is our
‘belief that the rated output will eventually be obtained. However,
lue..to the uncompleted development of the process and our lack of
kperience with a large plant, we are unwilling to make any warranties
egérding the plant other than that of bending every force of our
zation toward its earliest possible successful operation.

Very truly yours

Charles Allen Thomas
Central Research Director
MONSANTO CHEMICAL COMPANY

Oe



do

fohn Bradley
‘Director of Buglesives

Bis
Interior of Unit 1V during dismantling operations:



AEE ED soeusecol fi



FAI URED 1 ROCn

DAD GTS

JAX 29.0NG SOLID aso DA
oP 408 “

mn
Z
f



& ‘large group of Monsanto people responded to repeated calls
for blood donors from the American Red Cross$ a surgical dres-
sing unit was established for a group of laboratery girls who
helped regularly in preparing surgical dressings at the Bayton
Rea cross. :

Monsanto Women, a group organized for Women employes and wives

--0f employes , “met regularly and devoted much of its pregran te

various. war ‘aotivities, including a ibalth for Vietory* cia

ie on te the wa:


CENPRAL HESEARCH DEPARIMEN?

MONSANTO CHEMIGAL- COMPANY

the Central Researeh De

"Pica the beginning of the war periea,

partment of Monsanto Ghewical Sonpenr has soaeasl in important

ects: he :
einen and varied ‘pews,

Most .

the ‘main laboratories.



0 attract now w employee | for they could be fold ne 1
shout tho work they would be doing, Indeed,

employos know thot they wore ultimatoly work

foureor garage, nono of the new ragidents hod an automobile

I ‘The Monsanto wives used child wagons to bring tholr

+ @ secrer weopon, “we dan’t know how far Germany has.
shut whoover gots the answer firgt will win’ the wa
rooched this point, however, Dr. Lum, feoring

security, ropidly chenged the subject. TI

Ven,
Growth of the priest provided additional probly:

employes were moving t0 Peyton to cooly thet

. quaripes In rooming houses, ay the YMCA er 2 sad ne
whon they, coyld be found, The project's busting ely

with locol realtors to logate family ho





pulld a CEREX plant at our Plastice Division, and output was
sufficient 40 provide experimental quantities for actual use in

many instances, pending completion of the manufacturing plant,

Another copolymer was developed and put into production at Central id at?
Research, in cooperation with General Eleetric Company. This new
copolymer is highly desirable for radar insvlation in certain con
7 fidential applications for the U. S, Navy Bureau of Ships, Our
“a plant is the only souree -of this material, Production is small,

but sufficient - to neet.the ented, poquirenente of the Bary.

ened An, wate cient

ds of a number - of aircraft engine manu»
, sealant or  impreguating magnesium cast
3 ings’ to prevent gasoliae ‘Teakage. Pilot plant facilities met im

mediate needs and farther “Investigations as to other applications

nade by the Plastics Division.

”

instronental in the development av ys

Sed-water detergents for use by the

Bin evaluating and preparing com



effort. ‘on December 6, 1943, an svard for chemical engineering
achievement was presented to Monsanto “in recognition of ite
meritorious ‘contribution $o the design, eonstruction, and oper=
ation of the American synthetic rabber industry @° a grea wars
tine miracle made possible through patriotic sharing of the
ereative knowledge, engineering experience, end manufacturing
facilities of the rubber, chemical, and petroleun industries. ++

presented by gal and Metallurgical Engineering. *

“ CRHEX wos. Anbroduced in experimental quantities in 19k: this

P ise oubities high heat “aistortion with molésbility, good

el oteeat properties, end dimensional bility.

froma Yong sebech wy the chemists of the Central Research

fitted x jronotios Pilet . pion operations.



oe

MONSANTO CHEMICAL COMPANY

|
Executive Offices, St. Louis, Missouri

March 26, 1942.

Major General C. T. Harris, dr.,
Office of the Chief of Ordnance,
Washington, D. C.

My dear General Harris:

We find ourselves in a difficult position, We are most
anxious to make every contribution of which we are capable to the
war, and I believe you are familiar with the full measure to which
we have already extended ourselves. The management of this Company
pelieves that no one or no corporation should profit through the
misfortme of war, and our participation has been on the basis of
either no profit or nominal profit which does little more than cover
overhead expenses,

We are, however, mindful of certain elements of the press,
certain politicians and others whose philosophy is hostile to busi-
ness; individuals who are anxious to seize any incident they can
interpret or misinterpret to the detriment of industry.

Therefore, we want to place our present position on record
for use, if need be, in the event of an unwarranted future attack
which these elements might make from the vantage point of hindsight.

It is our understanding that the Wer Department is urgently
in need of a now high explosive; that the important raw materiel now
limiting the production of this high explosive is formaldehyde; and
that large quantities are required quickly.

We understand present production of formaldehyde involves
synthesis from methanol. A methanol plent requires large quantities
of high pressure equipment. The facilities for producing this equip-
ment are urgently needed also in the production of cannon and other
weapons, and to increase the productive facilities of formaldehyde
through this route would not only Anvolve much time, of which there
is none to spare, but that it would be at the expense of the pro-
duction of other weapons of war.

We have researched three years in the development of a new
synthesis for formaldehyde, This synthesis starts with methane, &
paw material of which there is an abundance. It does not involve the
use of high pressure equipment, which fs in such short supply. Lebors-
tory results indicate that the cost of production when our process is
fully developed will be materially less than other presently known
processes.



Poration of stable isotopes of the noble

thormal diffesi



i}

aera
CE"6 MOTOR ASSEMLY

eopdiuaet en,

jeer at
uw tone

ers

Dwi, Nas 0 «100ANK-43-1



Tho development of the $60-million Atomic Energy Commission
production ond research facility in Miamisburg con be traced 40°
an origin in 1926 whon the Thomas and Hochwalt Loboratories wer
establishod in Dayton, This firm was acquired by, Monsonto
Chomico! Company in 1936 to carry on long-range and fundemental

* seiontific study on a company wide basis,

th March 1939, only 0 fow woeks after the discovery of uranium
fission, the possible militaty Importance of etomic energy was
called to the attention of the U, 8. Government. In the autumn —
of 1939, the ficst Government committee on uranium was created.
The initial work was dona in various universities with the overa
effort boing somewhat loosely organized. By the ond of 1941, an
" extansive review indicated that an increased effort on,
project should be undortakan under the administrat}
formal organization. This decision wos opprov

Roosevelt, In the summer of 1942, the Army Corps of Engine

orgonized tho Manhattan Engineer District for this purpose,

Charles A. Thomas, PRM
‘Project Director,
1943 - 1945.)

Dr. Charlés Allen Thomas was director of Monsanto's Contral

Research Department in Dayton when, in 1943, he was called to

Washington for @ conference with Genoral Leslie Groves, Groves_

ei Bh ee
Iyersity prlor tori
dscspline 2

apd metallurgy of radioacti

the Dayton Projects

Polonium was vital to the con



rusting window screens and had no relationship to work at

Runaymeade. It is significont to note thet not a single
accident occurred at elther Monsanto location causing any

injury to the public. Loe

Groat core was token to assure the safety of the surrounding .,

orous, Trveks oquipped with radiotion detection equi

made regularly scheduled runs throughout the greater Dayton
oreo, Even os far os 75 miles distant, air and soil and
woter wore somplod to ensure that radioactivity wos pet re-

leased in the community.

Rodiooctivity in the loboratory had to be carefully eontrofied.

um hich were excoptioncly, hard to mest, It beeg,

dolay the courior arriving t0 pick up the poloniu

ment.

“the packoges. Still, all commitments were met and shipments... °,.

were made on schedule,

omong which wer

water and power supplieg. The site sel





AH, Other War Activities
fhe grovth of Centre] Reeearch reflects ite participation in the
war effort, At the outbreak of war, slightly more than 100 em-
ployee were working at.Central Research, {wo years after Pearl
Harbor, there were approximately almost 500 persons at all four

unite, most ‘of them on n dizect war sectgmentts

no interesting” note is the ead tien of a@ number of Foner euployes
o the Regearel ff, ; oth

An Boyté ait Montgomery ~Gounty. “B Mesontsntantton corps’ -



Im addition, Br. Thomas has been called pon to act as coordinator ina *

research project wy the Far Departuent of nationwide scope, and

primary importance in the prosecution of of the war,

Carrell A, Hochwalt, Asseciate Central Research Director, has *

served since 1940 ac a special investigator and consultant for

the ORC. Dr. Hochwalt is also e consultant for the Office of 1

“Wattoiet Defense Research Comittee.

at the 2 Explosives Research

At Sie! prtvent time; >”





could be occupied immodiotely, The rental agreement. st

ther the building was. tebe tuned back to the owners in Its

have it, though, he could not be reached thet night and the -

hoploss SED man spent the entire night in joil.

Aa tho magnitude of the polonium production program unfolded

ond the stoff grow fo meet anlarged scientific deman

became apporont thot additional loboratery space would be re-

Ite

small beginning to almost 200 porsons in lese than a yes

in Fobruary 1944 the Runnymeade Playhouse in Oakwood was

ronted by the Army Corps of Engineers and tumed over tor”
Monsente, It wos difficult, however, to obtdin @ lease on

the property, Tho Signal Corps hed used the property previ-

ously ond local residents were unhappy with the constent

movement of proparty and equipment in ond out of the neighbor.

hood, one of the most prestigious in Doyton,

The location, dosignoted Unit IV, was chosen primorily because

there stood the only building of adequate size in Dayton thot -

original condition, Tho building had been erected in 1927-40:

provide recrectionel facilities for the Talbott fomily,ond s:«

{1 provided some of the most unique facilities ever encountore:

rue i
Entrance to Unit’ Vs viewadsdown the

Ino scientific laboratory, These focilitios included a corrugated.
Only the front doorknob remains todayy

gloss roof, several greonhouces, an indoor tennis court with»





Pr ostpmee

Captain Benton A, Bull

Division B

National Defence Research Comittee
1703 = Band Street, Hoe. :
Washington, De Cv

Dear Captain Bull: Re: Use Pe Propellant

I have discussed the mitter of Monsanto rights under our National
Defense Research Committes contract with our Bresident,
Exe Ghavles Belknap, and others jn the Goupenys

As a result of thie discussion, Monsanto velisves that te great-
est contribution to the war effort end to the further continuation
which we have enjoyed with the

of the very satisfactory relations
National Defense Research Comittee would be served if the Mensento
Chemical Company dedicates all of its rights +o the Government of
the United States. Accordingly, you are hereby Loformeé that all
een retained by Monsanto under our

of the rights which might have b:
eontragt with respect to the U. P. Propellant are released to the

Government.

In view of our decision, as stated above, we will not prepare any
patent applications on this development. Should you desire to
file patent applications on this aevelopuent, we will be glad to
eooperate with.you to the best of our ability in the preparation of
the patent documents,

Yours very truly

- Charles Allen Thomas
, Gentral Research Director

CAT xas A
ee: Mre Charles Belmap’
Dre Je Be Conant
Bee Roger Adams
Dre Ge B. Kistiakowsky
Dre Le. P. Bammett

¢
t
i
i
H
é
t



Rl was docided that it would be both less expensive and

_ 20fer to dismantle the Unit IV location than to restore It )

started in February 1950 ond completed {ater the same

year. The ramains wore moved to Mound Laboratory by trick °

ond stored. The excavation was filled with dirt, covered

with sod, ond rotummed to the original owners.

|
|
| of the playhouse was highly contaminated, Demolition was _
j
|

the Board

operates as the Dayton Laboratory of Monsanto Research C

sation,

ion of functional components for weapo

development and produ

1 a nuinbor of yoors this light manufacturing has been the mai
i > moran a

stay. of the Laboratory,



services in their mobile laundry units, “These formulations
have given an ‘excellent sea-water detergent and an all<purpose

personal soap.

Another laboratory development of considerable interest to the A
armed forces is an easily applied, permanent water repellent, yen
| Final stages ef the development and practical mill triel of this -

product {mown as Respreof, W, R,) have been reached. This pro~

‘was’ requested by ‘the government to initiate research to develop

new récket and jet propellant which would have superior properties;

dials, Laboratory research was soon expanded

“. Forking in close cooperation with - |
_Notking in 03 \
{

+h the Army Air

Spropellent to the lawiching of

n developed te meet thie



warfare: George BH. Beebel, ¥. BR. Derby, Ernest Dybdal, BR G.
Fordyce, J. € Harris, J, W. Heyd, Paul Jacebs, Milton Kesmin,
g. B Lom, P, E. Marling, F.'T, Marshall, E. K. Rosenquist, and
RB, Seymour, The company plant formulated a plant aireraid

alarm and conducted actual blackout tests. |

4 momber of the members of the technical staff at Bayton have also

contributed considerable of their time and experience in presenting

courses of study under various government war education plans; .

G M, Kosolopert
s. Anabangh

4 iven ‘da conjuction with University. of Boyton,

ere astabiicheas “this gave all employes

rden ina” ‘eentrally locatea plot. Weeded