Milford chronicle., 1954-05-21
Chemical Progress
Week Being Observed
Throughout Nation


Chemical Progress Week, being
observed nationwide this week, is
saluting one of the most spectac-
nlar economic developments of this
century-the growth of the Ameri-
can Chemical industry from infancy
to lusty maturity. The Chemical
industry, as it is known today, has
only been in existence since 1900.
Then, Chemical manufacture was
limited to a few relatively simple
inorganic and organic compounds.
In nthe ensuing so years a continu-
ing stream of new materials has
poured out of the Country's labora-
tories.
OF all the developments in the
last % years that have contributed
to raising the American standard of
living. none have been more inn
pOrtant than the creation Of a
strong American Chemical industry.
Through fertilizers and pesticides.
cemicals have made possible more
food per acre. Preservation and
packaging have also been advanced
by Chemical research, holding down
the cost of food.
The development Of plastics in
great variety has brought new
structural materials which now
challenge the supremacy of the
metals. There are new synthetic
Finishes, synthetic rubber, films,
dyestuffs, improved motor fuels and
pharmaceuticals, all playing their
important roles in our economy.
New engineering techniques have
been developed on a large scale, in
cluding equipment for the use of
high pressures and catalytic re-
actions, which have brought about
a host of products of Importance to
agriculture and industry.
Neither black magic nor the
generous bounty of nature has
made Chemistry's development pos
sible. The yeast of growth is rare
and costly, calling for huge invest
ment. Between 1945 and 1853 the
industry spent nearly SO billion for
new plants and equipment. Re
a
ing the industry moving briskly
forward. OF about 81 billion spent
last year on Industrial research,
the Chemical companies spent a full
fifth. One of every five U. S. indus
trial workers is in the Chemical
industry.
The Chemical industry's vigor
has helped bring about major social
advances. Discovery and production
have brought the average Ameri-
can a way Of life that would have
been the envy and wonder of the
kings and emperors of a century
ago. In food, clothing, shelter and
transportation in ease, convenience
and comfort, the standards of even
the most modest American home
have gone steadily upward
1t is essential to realize that such
social and material gains have not
been accomplished by legislation,
by deals, old. new, or fair, but sim
ply through the application and en-
cOnragement of invention and de-
velopment. The 12-hour shift and
the six-daY week could not have
disappeared from the scene through
laws or social upheaval. had not
modern machinery. developed by
research, made it possible for the
American workman of 1853 to pro-
duce many times as much goods as
the workman of 1850. Women have
not been freed from household
drudgery by feminist agitation, but
bv the invention of the sewing ma
chine, the dishwasher, the refriger-
atOr-and revolutionary develop
ments for handling and distributing
foodstuffs.
There is one overriding require
ment for continued progress, both
in the Chemical industry and the
nation: that we maintain a free
society. Freedom of thought, oi
action, of expression is essential
to research wherever it be done
Freedom to reap the harvest OF
ones accomplishments is equally
essential If basic knowledge is t.
be converted into goods and ser.
vices for the benefit Of mankind.