Collection Summary
Ethyl Corporation
Ethyl Corporation records
1823-1983
00548
11.10 cubic
feet (25 boxes)
University of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.
English
System Requirements
Training films -- film -- 16mm and 8mm.
20th Anniversary observation -- phonodisc -- 33 1/3 rpm.
Kettering speech -- phonodisc -- 33 1/3 rpm.
History of the Ethyl CorporationThe Ethyl Corporation, chartered in Delaware in 1924, originated from the research efforts of scientists and chemical engineers Charles F. Kettering and Thomas Midgeley, Jr. In 1921, Midgley and Kettering discovered tetraethyl lead as an anti-knock agent in automobile engines. Kettering named this tetraethyl lead "Ethyl" gasoline and made it available to the public in 1923. Midgley and Kettering founded the General Motors Chemical Company to provide distribution of the gasoline. Standard Oil Company of New Jersey joined General Motors Chemical in its manufacturing to create Ethyl Corporation in 1924.
Kettering served as president of the corporation, serving until 1925. Midgley served as vice-president and general manager until his death in 1944. James Boudreau served as vice-president and director of public relations until 1966. Earl Botholomew, an engineer, developed several important patents, including a special mixture of bromine and chlorine and an engine that could use tetraethyl lead and meet clear air regulations. In 1962, Albemarle Paper Manufacturing Company bought out Ethyl Corporation.
Scope and ContentCollection contains mainly historical materials gathered by Boudreau for the history of the petroleum industry and corporation exhibits. Collection includes account books, stock certificates, newspapers and maps, advertisements, and other materials gathered by Boudreau and deal mostly with the petroleum industry in Pennsylvania (1823-1960). Also included is Thomas Midgley's correspondence (1919-1952) regarding scientific research and business matters; photographs and glass slides of research and equipment (1923-1943); publications and speeches (1923-1983); 10 8mm and 26 16mm service and training films; and 5 33 1/3 rpm phonograph records of a 1940 Charles Kettering speech and a 20th anniversary observation.
Access Restrictions
There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes,
and the collection is open to the public.
Copyright Information
The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright,
property, and libel laws as they apply.
Related Materials
There are no known other archival collections created by the Ethyl Corporation at the date of processing.
Additional Information
Finding aid available in repository.
Acquisition Information
Processing Information
The collection was processed by Susan Horan in June 1999.
Portions of this collection was digitized by Kathy Gerlach from 2015-2018.
Preferred Citation
Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Collection Name, Collection
Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.
Existence and Location of Copies
Digital reproductions of select material from this collection are available at
https://digitalcollections.uwyo.edu/luna/servlet/uwydbuwy~14~14.
Access Terms
Boudreau, James.
Gasoline -- Research -- United States.
Gasoline -- United States -- Anti-knock and anti-knock mixtures.
Petroleum industry and trade -- United States.
Petroleum industry and trade -- Pennsylvania.
Buiness records.
Motion pictures.
Negatives.
Phonograph records.
Photographs.
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Midgley, Thomas, 1889-1944.
Business, Industry, Labor, and Commerce
Businesses and Corporations
Science, Technology and Health
Energy Production
Container List
Container List PDF
The American Heritage Center is in the process of converting its older container lists to a more accessible format. This link is to an older version of a container list.
Link to Container List (PDF)
Series VI. Audi-Visual Material
Contains 16mm motion picture service and training films and audio recordings.
26To Set the Record Straight: A Medical and Technical Documentary on Lead in the Environment1971
26Leaded vs. Unleaded Gasoline? The Facts and the Mythsundated
Training Film Series:
27"Carburetor" Training Film Series Engine Components Gasoline Characteristics1956
27"Cooling System" Training Film Series Engine Components Gasoline Characteristics1956
27"Distributor" Training Film Series Engine Components Gasoline Characteristics1956
27"Electrical System" Training Film Series Engine Components Gasoline Characteristics1956
27"Fuel Injection" Training Film Series Engine Components Gasoline Characteristics1957
27"Preventing Carburetor Deposits" Training Film Series Engine Components Gasoline Characteristics1959
27"Preventing Carburetor Icing" Training Film Series Engine Components Gasoline Characteristics1959
27"Valves" Training Film Series Engine Components Gasoline Characteristics1956
27Gasoline for Everybody1947
27Handling Ethyl Drums1958
27One Good Turn Deserves Another1953
28 and 31At Your Command! A Report to American Farmersundated
28Looking Forward: A Film Story of a New Magic in Agriculture1946
28Masters of the Soilundated
28Unloading Ethyl Tank Cars1957
29Fundamentals of Fuel Knock1951
29Looking Ahead1946
29Old MacDonald Had a Farm1944
29Magic in Agriculture: A Film Story about Farm Chemurgy1946
29This is Our Land: A Story about Soil Conservation1946
Automotive Series:
30"Spark Plugs" Training Film Series Engine Components Gasoline Characteristics1956
30"Gasoline Part 1, Volatility" Training Film Series Engine Components Gasoline Characteristics1956
30"Gasoline Part 2, Knocking and Preignition" Training Film Series Engine Components Gasoline Characteristics1956
30"Cooling System" Training Film Series Engine Components Gasoline Characteristics1957
31Ethyl Products Sales Clinicundated
31Mixing Plants Operations1952
31You're the Doctor1951
32Ethyl Mixing Plant Maintenance1958
32Getting Ahead of Tomorrowundated
32Pattern for Progress: The Story of a Farm and a Family1941
32Pick Your Tomorrow1954
32Twin Powerundated
33All the Answers1937
33For Better Performance1954
33The Long Road A Film Story about High Compression Power1946
33Safe Handling of Ethyl Fluid1954
33There is a Differenceundated
332=31952
Audio:
34"Looking Forward" speech by Charles F. Kettering (phonograph record)April 10, 1940
34Transcription of tape recording of 20th Anniversary Observance, parts 1-7 (33 speed photograph records)undated
34Unidentified (magnetic tape)undated