Eric B. Denton papers, 1951-2015
Table of Contents
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Denton, Eric B. (Eric Bruce)
- Title
- Eric B. Denton papers
- Dates
- 1951-2015 (inclusive)19512015
1951-1957 (bulk)19511957 - Quantity
- 0.42 cubic feet (1 box)
- Collection Number
- 5789
- Summary
- Papers by Denton regarding the Seattle Vanillin Plant
- Repository
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University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu - Access Restrictions
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Open to all users
- Additional Reference Guides
- Languages
- English
Biographical Note
Eric Denton earned his Master’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Washington in 1951. Shortly after, he was hired by Monsanto Chemical Company as construction engineer for a new vanillin plant. The plant used a technique created by Collis Bryan to produce vanillin from pulp mill waste liquor which was sent by barge to Seattle from a sulfite-based mill in Bellingham. Denton’s colleagues included Phil Sharpe, design engineer, and Sharpe's assistant Bob LaRiviere. The plant opened in 1952 and eventually produced enough material to flavor most vanilla ice cream produced in the United States. It later became the Rhone-Poulenc Plant and closed in 1991.
(Biographical information from Denton’s introduction, box 1, folder 1)
Content Description
Documents written by Eric Denton describing the construction, operation, and components of the plant; news articles; reports; piping blueprints; and photographs. Also includes summary, written by Bob LaRiviere, of his role in the Seattle Vanillin Plant.
Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Use
Creator's literary rights have been transferred to the University of Washington Libraries
Administrative Information
Return to TopDetailed Description of the Collection
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Accession No. 5789-001: Eric B. Denton papers regarding Seattle Vanillin Plant and his personal career, 1951-2015 (bulk 1951-1957)
0.42 cubic feet (1 box)Scope and Content: Documents written by Eric Denton describing the construction, operation, and components of the plant; news articles; reports; piping blueprints; and photographs.
Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.
Acquisition Info: Donated by Eric Denton, September 2013.
Processing Info: Processed by A. Demeter, 2013.
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Description: Inventory from Denton and flash driveDates: undatedContainer: Box/Folder 1/1, Accession 5789-001
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Description: Project summaryDates: undatedContainer: Box/Folder 1/2, Accession 5789-001
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Description: Summary of Bob LaRiviere's RoleDates: 2015Container: Box/Folder 1/3, Accession 5789-001
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Description: Plant and extraction unit photographs (copies)Dates: 1954Container: Box/Folder 1/4, Accession 5789-001
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Description: Engineering team photographs (copies) – D. Dana, Collis Bryan, Phil Sharpe, Eric DentonDates: 1953Container: Box/Folder 1/5, Accession 5789-001
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Description: Seattle Times article on vanillin debutDates: 31 October 1954Container: Box/Folder 1/6, Accession 5789-001
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Description: Startup team photograph – Howard Hand, Al Christianson, Eric DentonDates: 1954Container: Box/Folder 1/7, Accession 5789-001
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Description: Letter to Seattle Times from Eric DentonDates: 1991Container: Box/Folder 1/8, Accession 5789-001
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Description: “Vanillin era over,” Seattle Times articleDates: 26 February 1991Container: Box/Folder 1/9, Accession 5789-001
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Description: Vanillin structural formulaDates: undatedContainer: Box/Folder 1/10, Accession 5789-001
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Description: Production reportDates: August 1957Container: Box/Folder 1/11, Accession 5789-001
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Description: Work crew listDates: November 1956Container: Box/Folder 1/12, Accession 5789-001
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Description: Safety reportDates: September 1957Container: Box/Folder 1/13, Accession 5789-001
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Description: Equipment listDates: undatedContainer: Box/Folder 1/14, Accession 5789-001
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Description: “Exhibits MNRST” - diagramsDates: undatedContainer: Box/Folder 1/15, Accession 5789-001
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Description: Cost estimate to add the 7th oxidation reactorDates: 24 October 1957Container: Box/Folder 1/16, Accession 5789-001
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Description: P. Sharpe detailed design calculationsDates: 1951Container: Box/Folder 1/17, Accession 5789-001
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Description: Eric’s careerDates: undatedContainer: Box/Folder 1/18, Accession 5789-001
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Description: School Career Day presentation by DentonDates: undatedContainer: Box/Folder 1/19, Accession 5789-001
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Description: “Eric’s other credentials” - personal, miscellanyDates: ca. 1951-1998Container: Box/Folder 1/20, Accession 5789-001
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Description: Oxidation (200 area) piping drawingsDates: 1952Container: Box/Folder 1/21, Accession 5789-001
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Description: Alcohol extraction - 300 area pipingDates: 1952Container: Box/Folder 1/21, Accession 5789-001
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Description: Toluene extraction - 400 area pipingDates: 1952 ; 1955Container: Box/Folder 1/21, Accession 5789-001
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Description: Oil distillation (500 area)Dates: ca. 1955Container: Box/Folder 1/21, Accession 5789-001
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Description: Crystallization - 600 area pipingDates: 1955Container: Box/Folder 1/21, Accession 5789-001
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Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Lignosulfonates
- Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)
- Vanillin
- Wood-pulp industry--By-products
Personal Names
- Denton, Eric B. (Eric Bruce)--Archives
Corporate Names
- Monsanto Chemical Company
