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Herbert T. Pratt Papers
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Held at: Science History Institute Archives [Contact Us]315 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Science History Institute Archives. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.
Overview and metadata sections
Herbert T. Pratt (1926-2014) was an American chemical engineer, chemistry historian, and a collector of rare chemistry books, chemistry memorabilia, and textiles memorabilia. A native of Eden, North Carolina, Pratt earned his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Tri-State College (now called Trine University) in 1945. Upon graduation, he accepted a position as a development engineer with King-Seely Corporation in Ann Arbor, Michigan. In 1946, he went to work for Fieldcrest Mills in Eden, North Carolina, where he served as Textile Chemist (1946-1948) and Head of Analytical and Applied Chemistry (1948-1952).
In 1952, Pratt joined Du Pont Company's (E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company) Textile Fibers Department in Wilmington, Delaware, where he went on to enjoy a distinguished career. At Du Pont, he became a noted expert on textile chemistry, which included the areas of physical and chemical properties of fibers, textile dyeing and finishing, and quality management systems. Over the course of his career at Du Pont, Pratt rose through the Textile Fibers Department's ranks, serving as Customer Service Representative (1952-1963), Research Engineer (1963-1966), Technical Representative (1966-1972), Technical Specialist (1972-1976), Senior Technical Specialist (1976-1980) and Technical Marketing Associate (1980-1985). From 1975 to 1985, he also served as Du Pont's contact for law enforcement agencies seeking assistance in the use of textile fibers as legal evidence in criminal cases. Pratt retired from Du Pont in 1985.
While still working at Du Pont, Pratt embarked on a second career as a historian of chemistry, with a strong interest in textile chemistry. After retiring from Du Pont, he earned his M.A. in History from Goddard College (1987) and took up this avocation on a full-time basis. Pratt contributed a number of biographies to the 1976 and 1994 editions of American Chemists and Chemical Engineers. He was an active member of several historical organizations, including the National Foundation for History of Chemistry, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the Chemical Heritage Foundation (now called the Science History Institute). He was involved in several historic preservation projects, including the preservation of Viscose Village in Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania.
In addition to his activities as a historian, Pratt was an avid collector of rare chemistry books. He eventually amassed a rare books collection of over 4000 volumes, many of which are now preserved at the Science History Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was also the founder of the Science History Institute's Bolton Society, an organization for chemical bibliophiles. Pratt was also a collector of historic chemistry and textiles memorabilia, which included, but was not limited to, printed materials, notebooks, and signed items. Some of the memorabilia items he collected are also preserved at the Science History Institute (including the items in this archives collection).
Herbert T. Pratt authored numerous research papers on a variety of technical subjects, including textile chemistry and the history of chemistry. He was also an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists and the American Chemical Society. Pratt was also the recipient of several awards, including the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists' Olney Medal (1993) and Harold C. Chapin Award (1997).
Herbert T. Pratt passed away on January 23, 2014.
Sources
"Herbert T. Pratt." Chemical & Engineering News, April 21, 2014 - Herbert T. Pratt (acs.org)
Herbert T. Pratt Papers, Science History Institute Archives, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
"Herbert T. Pratt to Receive The Olney Medal" - OlneyPratt.pdf (aatcc.org)
"Herbert Thomas Pratt, 1926-2014" - Herbert Pratt Obituary (1926 - 2014) - Newark, DE - The News Journal (legacy.com)
The Herbert T. Pratt Papers contain the research files and memorabilia of American chemical engineer, chemistry historian, and collector of rare chemistry books and chemistry memorabilia Herbert T. Pratt. The collection is arranged into the following eleven series:
- Research Files
- Printed Materials
- Manuals
- Papers
- Sample Cards and Sample Books
- Notebooks
- Miscellaneous Materials
- Signed Items
- Artifacts
- Oversized
- Images
The Herbert T. Pratt Papers were donated to the Science History Institute (formerly the Chemical Heritage Foundation) by Mary S. Pratt in August 2014.
The Herbert T. Pratt Papers were processed by Kenton G. Jaehnig in August 2021.
Organization
Subject
- Chemical industry--History
- Chemistry--History
- Dyes and dyeing -- Chemistry
- Dyes and Dyeing--History
- Dyes and dyeing -- Textile fibers
- Dyes and dyeing -- Textile fibers, Synthetic
- Historians of science
- Planned communities -- United States
- Scientific apparatus and instruments
- Scientific apparatus and instruments industry
- Synthetic fibers industry
- Textile chemistry
- Textile fabrics
- Textile fiber industry
- Textile fibers, Synthetic
- Textile industry -- History
- Textiles
Occupation
- Publisher
- Science History Institute Archives
- Finding Aid Author
- Finding aid created and encoded into EAD by Kenton G. Jaehnig.
- Finding Aid Date
- 2021
- Access Restrictions
-
There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes and the collection is open to the public.
- Use Restrictions
-
The Science History Institute holds copyright to the Herbert T. Pratt Papers. The researcher assumes full responsibility for all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.
Collection Inventory
This series contains research files created and maintained by Herbert T. Pratt during his career as a chemistry historian. The contents of the Research Files are arranged into the following five sub-series:
- Biographies - American Chemists and Chemical Engineers - 1976 Edition
- Biographies - American Chemists and Chemical Engineers - 1994 Edition
- Textile Mill Scale Up of Nylon Hosiery Files
- Viscose Village Files
- Miscellaneous Research Files
American Chemists and Chemical Engineers is an encyclopedia published by the American Chemical Society. It contains biographical entries for numerous American chemists and chemical engineers, which list their contributions to chemistry, chemical engineering, chemical technology, and chemical education. Herbert T. Pratt authored several entries published in this encyclopedia
Arranged in alphabetical order by subject, this sub-series contains research files created and maintained by Herbert T. Pratt for biographical entries he authored for the 1976 edition of American Chemists and Chemical Engineers. These files document the historical research conducted by Pratt for the writing of these biographies.
The contents of the files in this sub-series consist of a variety of materials. Manuscripts of Pratt's American Chemists and Chemical Engineers entries (mostly photocopies), notes taken by Pratt, and photocopied newspaper, journal, and magazine articles are the most common items found in this sub-series. Small amounts of other miscellaneous materials, including, but not limited to, correspondence, photocopies of published versions of Pratt's American Chemists and Chemical Engineers entries, photographs, and negatives are found here as well.
Contains 1 black and white image.
Contains 1 black and white image.
Contains 17 black and white images, 10 color images, and 6 16 mm black and white negative strips.
Contains 1 black and white image.
Arranged in alphabetical order by subject, this sub-series contains research files created and maintained by Herbert T. Pratt for biographical entries he authored for the 1994 edition of American Chemists and Chemical Engineers. These files document the historical research conducted by Pratt for the writing of these biographies.
The contents of the files in this sub-series consist of a variety of materials. Notes, manuscripts of Pratt's American Chemists and Chemical Engineers entries (mostly original), photocopies of published versions of Pratt's American Chemists and Chemical Engineers entries, and photocopied newspaper, journal, and magazine articles are the most common items found in this sub-series. Smaller, but noticeable, amounts of photocopied book pages, photocopies of historic documents preserved at other archival institutions, and correspondence are also present in these files. Small amounts of other miscellaneous materials, including, but not limited to, miscellaneous printed materials and photographs are preserved here as well.
Contains 4 color images.
Contains 2 black and white images and 1 black and white negative.
Contains 3 black and white images.
Arranged alphabetically by subject, this sub-series contains research files created and maintained by Herbert T. Pratt for his paper "Textile Mill Scale Up of Nylon Hosiery: 1937-1938". Pratt presented this paper at the History of Synthetic Fibers Symposium, which was held in Atlanta, Georgia in April 1991. These files document the historical research conducted by Pratt for the writing of this paper.
Pratt's conference correspondence, original Du Pont documents (reports, notes, and memoranda), photocopied Du Pont documents (correspondence, memoranda, notes, and reports) and a photocopied manuscript of "Textile Mill Scale Up of Nylon Hosiery: 1937-1938" are found in these files. Pratt's paper proposal, his research notes, and photocopied book pages are preserved here as well.
Viscose Village is a planned industrial community built by American Viscose Company in Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania. Built in 1912-1915, it housed workers at American Viscose's rayon mill in Marcus Hook, which was the first artificial fiber manufacturing plant in North America. The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission declared the former American Viscose works in Marcus Hook, including Viscose Village, a state historic landmark in 2002. Herbert T. Pratt was involved in efforts to preserve Viscose Village and have it designated a National Historic Chemical Landmark by the American Chemical Society.
Arranged alphabetically by subject, this sub-series contains research files regarding Viscose Village that were created and maintained by Herbert T. Pratt. These files contain historical information regarding Viscose Village and limited documentation of efforts to preserve the site and have it designated a National Historic Chemical Landmark. They also provide limited documentation of historical research regarding Viscose Village conducted by Pratt.
The contents of the Viscose Village Files consist of a variety of materials. Correspondence, Pratt's research notes, photographs, negative strips, photocopied book pages and articles, and web page printouts are found in this sub-series. A copy of the Marcus Hook Borough document Viscose Village, Historic Resource Assessment & Preservation Plan and an excerpt from Christine Tate's Ph.D. dissertation Viscose Village: Model Industrial Worker's Housing in Marcus Hook, Delaware County, Pennsylvania are preserved in these files as well.
Contains 8 color images, 7 16 mm color negative strips, 3 pages of color photocopied images, and 2 pages of black and white photocopied images.
Arranged alphabetically by subject, this sub-series contains miscellaneous research files created and maintained by Herbert T. Pratt. These files concern a handful of topics that were of interest of Pratt. The contents of the Miscellaneous Research Files consist of a variety of materials, including, but not limited to, correspondence, research notes, journal, magazine, and newspaper articles (originals and photocopies), paper manuscripts, libraries and holdings lists, a compilation of photocopied reprints, and photographs.
Contains 2 color images.
Contains 3 black and white postcards, 1 color image, and 1 black and white photo reproduction.
This series contains chemistry and textiles related printed materials collected by Herbert T. Pratt. The contents of the Printed Materials are arranged into the following seven sub-series:
- Sales Literature
- Articles
- Reprints
- Publications
- Periodicals and Newsletters
- Government Documents
- Miscellaneous Printed Materials
Arranged alphabetically by subject, this sub-series contains chemistry and textiles related sales literature collected by Herbert T. Pratt. Examples of sales literature published by scientific instrument and apparatus manufacturers make up the largest component of this sub-series. Items printed by chemical companies, dye manufacturers, fertilizer companies, chemists, and a mineral springs resort are also present here.
Several types of sales literature are present in this sub-series. Brochures and sales publications are the most common items found in this sub-series. A variety of other miscellaneous types of sales literature, including, but not limited to, broadsides, advertising cards, pamphlets, and sales bulletins are preserved here as well.
Arranged alphabetically by subject, this sub-series consists of chemistry and textiles related magazine and journal articles collected by Herbert T. Pratt. Three of the files in this sub-series concern scientists. One file regarding acetate and one file regarding textile fibers are also present here.
Arranged alphabetically by author, this sub-series contains chemistry and textiles related article reprints collected by Herbert T. Pratt. The reprints in this sub-series cover several topics, including, but not limited to dyes, pharmacology, and the history of chemistry. The reprints in this sub-series are of articles published in scientific journals, magazines, and publications.
Arranged alphabetically by subject, this sub-series contains chemistry and textiles related publications collected by Herbert T. Pratt. Publications printed by chemical companies (most notably Betz Laboratories, Incorporated and E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, Incorporated) and professional organizations make up the largest components of the materials in this sub-series. Publications printed by scientific instrument manufacturers (Finnigan Corporation and Finnigan MAT), a museum, professional conferences, historical researchers, and an antiques firm are also present here.
The contents of this sub-series consist of a variety of different types of publications. Corporate annual reports are the most common items preserved in this sub-series. Other miscellaneous types of publications, including, but not limited to, programs, handbooks, member directories, membership booklets, and catalogs are found here as well.
Arranged alphabetically by publisher, this sub-series contains chemistry related periodicals and newsletters collected by Herbert T. Pratt. A handful of periodical and newsletter issues published by Finnigan Corporation and Finnigan MAT are preserved in this sub-series. A single newsletter issue published by the Linus Pauling Institute of Science and Medicine and a periodical issue published by the New Hampshire Historical Society are also present here.
Arranged alphabetically by publisher, this sub-series contains a handful of science related government documents collected by Herbert T. Pratt. A majority of the documents in this sub-series were published by United States government. Single examples of documents published by the Parliament of the United Kingdom and the Pennsylvania General Assembly are also present here. The contents of the Government Documents sub-series consist of a British patent, a Pennsylvania state law, a brochure, a booklet, a pamphlet, and a U.S. Congressional document.
Arranged alphabetically by subject, this sub-series contains miscellaneous chemistry, textiles, and science related printed materials collected by Herbert T. Pratt. This sub-series contains miscellaneous printed materials that do not readily fit elsewhere in the Printed Materials Series. The materials in this sub-series come from a variety of sources, including, but not limited to, chemical companies, scientific instrument manufacturers, professional organizations, and industrial organizations. They concern a variety of topics, including, but not limited to, courses and workshops, publications, individual scientists, and museum exhibits.
The contents of this sub-series consist of a variety of different types of printed materials. Brochures are the most common items found in this sub-series. Small numbers of other miscellaneous types of printed materials, including, but not limited to, programs, certificates, book pages, and photographs are preserved here as well.
Contains 3 color images and 7 black and white images.
Contains 1 sepia image.
Arranged alphabetically by author, this series contains a handful of manuals collected by Herbert T. Pratt, which pertain to textiles and chemistry. Five manuals pertaining to textiles, which were created by E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, Incorporated, J.B. Gaither and B.L. Whittier, and Arthur C. Hayes and J. Glenn Templeton respectively, are preserved in this series. A bound two volume printed reproduction of Henry A. Mott's The Scientific Manual, A Practical Treatise on Chemistry (Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis), Stoichiometry, Mineralogy Assaying, Blowpipe Analysis is also preserved here.
Contains fabric samples.
Contains fabric samples.
Arranged alphabetically by author, this series contains a handful of technical papers collected by Herbert T. Pratt, which pertain to the production, processing, and dyeing of textiles. Two papers produced by E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, Incorporated and a single paper produced by the American National Standards Institute are preserved in this series. A single paper written by Herbert T. Pratt and a single paper written by P.H. Stott are found here as well.
Arranged alphabetically by subject, this series contains sample cards and sample books collected by Herbert T. Pratt, which pertain to dyes and textiles. Items produced by E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, Incorporated make up the largest component of the materials in this series. Small numbers of sample card and sample books produced by Ciba Company, Incorporated, Farbwerke Hoechst AG, Old Slater Mill, and W. Cushing & Company are also preserved here.
Dye sample cards (most of which contain fabric samples or fiber samples) make up a large majority of the materials found in this series. Three fabric sample books, a fabric sample card, a flax sample book (which contains a flax sample and a fiber sample), and a color organization chart are preserved here as well.
Contains fabric samples.
Contains fabric samples.
Contains fabric samples.
Contains fabric samples.
Contains fabric samples.
Contains fabric samples.
Contains fabric samples.
Contains fabric samples.
Contains fabric samples.
Contains fabric samples.
Contains fiber samples.
Contains fabric samples.
Contains fabric samples.
Contains fabric samples.
Contains fabric samples.
Contains fabric samples.
Contains flax sample and fiber sample.
Contains fabric samples.
Arranged alphabetically by subject, this series contains chemistry and textiles related notebooks collected by Herbert T. Pratt. Notebooks created by individual chemists, including, but not limited to, Winthrop C. Durfee and E. Emmet Reid, make up the largest component of this series. Notebooks produced by fertilizer companies, a chemical company, and a chemistry set manufacturer are also found here.
The contents of this series consist of several types of notebooks. Bound notebooks, bound ledger books, and pocket notebooks are the most common items found in this series. A bound price list, a trade memo book, and a chemistry set notebook are preserved in this series as well.
Arranged alphabetically by subject, this series consists of miscellaneous materials collected by Herbert T. Pratt, which pertain to chemistry, dyes, and textiles. The materials in this series do not readily fit into any other series in this collection. It includes items from several types of creators, including, but not limited to scientific instrument and apparatus manufacturers, chemical companies, and chemists.
The contents of the Miscellaneous Materials series consist of a variety of materials. Letters and price quotations are the most common items found in this series. Other miscellaneous materials, including, but not limited to, class handouts, spectrophotometer analyses, song lyrics, and a photocopied broadcast manuscript are preserved here as well.
Arranged alphabetically by surname, this series contains miscellaneous items signed by prominent scientists, which were collected by Herbert T. Pratt. Chemists make up a majority of the scientists represented in this series. Small numbers of items signed by scientists from other disciplines, including, but not limited to, geologists, physicists, and botanists are also present here. Ten of the scientists represented in this series are Nobel Prize winners.
Signatures, handwritten letters, lithographs, and handwritten notes are the most common items found in the Signed Items series. Other miscellaneous types of signed items, including, but not limited to, typed letters, handwritten essays, photographs, a handwritten article, and a handwritten book title page are also preserved in this series. Small amounts of accompanying materials not created by the scientists themselves, including, but not limited to, picture and obituary clippings from publications, typed translations, and typed transcripts are present in this series as well.
Contains 1 sepia image.
Contains 1 black and white image.
This series contains an unidentified fiber color sample kit collected by Herbert T. Pratt.
Contains fiber samples.
Arranged alphabetically by subject, this series contains five miscellaneous oversized items collected by Herbert T. Pratt, which pertain to chemistry, textiles, and dyeing. The contents of this series consist of an advertisement on a musical score, two oversized brochures, a photo reproduction, and an auction notice.
Contains 1 black and white photo reproduction.
Arranged alphabetically by subject, this series contains miscellaneous images collected by Herbert T. Pratt, which pertain to chemistry and textiles. It includes images of several subjects, including, but not limited to, chemists, historic sites, a chemical company conference exhibit, textile fibers, and a chemical company facility.
The contents of the Images series consist of photographs, negatives, and postcards. A very small amount of accompanying materials, including a photocopied newspaper clipping, notes, and a memorandum are preserved here as well.
Note - Item level cataloging may be available, consult Image Archives.
Contains 1 black and white image and 1 black and white negative.
Contains 1 black and white image.
Contains 3 black and white images.
Contains 1 black and white image.
Contains 5 black and white images.
Contains 1 color postcard.
Contains 1 black and white image.
Contains 1 black and white postcard.
Contains 1 color postcard.
Contains 1 black and white image and 1 black and white negative.
Contains 2 color postcards and 1 black and white postcard.
Contains 1 color postcard.