Manchester University

SEARCH

  


Advanced Search

 

Manchester University Archives and Brethren Historical Collection

 

Full listing > Accession MC2001/3
Accession #MC2001/3
TopicPlunkett, Roy: Objects,
TitleObjects Belonging to the Roy Plunkett Collection
LocationArchives IS, Unit #8 - a series of smaller boxes and one Large Box marked [MC2001/3 Objects]
CitationObjects Belonging to the Roy Plunkett Collection, MC2001/3, Archives and Brethren Historical Collection, Funderburg Library, Manchester University, North Manchester, Indiana.
AccessResearchers are responsible for determining copyright status of archived materials where this is relevant to their intended use of the materials.
ProvenanceRoy Plunkett willed these materials to Manchester and Betty Plunkett, Roy's sister-in-law, picked them up at Roy's house in Texas and brought them to the Archives.
Scope and ContentObjects and plaques in the possession of Plunkett that were received as awards, commemorative items, gifts, or as examples of the varied uses of Teflon. The archivist does not know the function of some of the objects created with the use of Teflon:

Plunkett's academic stole (very top of shelving unit #8).

Metal cylinder probably presented to Plunkett at time of retirement(?) as a type of humorous gift.  It appears to be the same container pictured in photograph where Plunkett is holding cylinder above wife's head.

Crystal Ball presented to Plunkett with the inscription, "Corpus Christi Plant - OFFICIAL FORECASTING DEVICE - used by A & S Dept. 1972-1975, presented to R. J Plunkett July 11, 1975."

Barometer/Temperature/humidity given to Plunkett at the time of TEFLON's 25th Anniversary.

Stamp roll container, "Our Commitment To Tomorrow Began 50 Years Ago,1938-1988 TEFLON Fluorocarbon Resin.

Beaker made of TEFLON with label, "To. Dr. Roy J. Plunkett, Discoverer of TEFLON, April 6, 1938, IN APPRECIATION, Chemplast, Inc. (first company to isostatically mold TEFLON), Grenelefe, Florida, March 23, 1986.

TEFLON cylinder with hole running through axis and marked something like, "L48 -6-2" ?

Slide case with slides containing information probably used for Plunkett's lectures - chemical equations.  Additional pack of slides probably used for lecture.

Small piece of metal pipe lined with a substance probably containing TEFLON.

Short grooved cylinder - probably made of TEFLON.

Flat mat - probably composed with TEFLON.

Container of F46.

Container of TEFLON, TF5.

Small cylinder probably made of TEFLON.

Two other containers, probably holding a form of TEFLON with the message, "Keep Out Of Reach Of Children, Do Not Expose To High Temperatures."

Commemorative plates - "Dedication Ceremony August 19, 1969, World's Largest Reverse Osmosis Water Desalting Plant, Plains, Texas" - and - "30th Anniversary, GORE, Creative Technologies Worldwide, 1958-1988."

Notecards and slides for Plunkett speech.

One small perfume box.

Silver-plated mug handcrafted in Sheffeld, England with the inscription, "Dr. R. Plunkett, BFPA Conference, Brighton, 1988."

Quartz clock with "Du Pont" logo.

Flexible joint utilizing Teflon as ligaments or tendons (?).

Two dolphin-like figurines commemorating TEFLON's 50th anniversary.

Nametags.

The Ohio State University Centennial Achievement Award presented to Roy Plunkett on 18 December 1970.

50 years - American Chemical Society plaque given to Roy Plunkett.

Plaque - DuPont safety fair judge.

United Fund of Salem County- "Award of Mercy"  plaque given to Plunkett for outstanding guidance and leadership as Chairman of the Budget Commitee during the first and second years of organization 1956 and 1957.

Handpainted tile commemorating the birth of TEFLON illustrating the photograph of Plunkett, assistant, and sawed-open flask (H&R Johnson Tiles Ltd, made in England).

Monofilament of TEFLON fiber.

Synthetically produced veins/arteries (?) made with TEFLON or maybe GORE-TEX?.

Business cards - Dr. Roy J. Plunkett, Discoverer of TEFLON Fluorocarbon Resins, GOlden Anniversary of TEFLON (1938-1988).

1970 key lapel pin.

The Silver Beaver Boy Scout Award (see the photographs of this event).  It COULD be that the woman consistently in early award photos are those of Plunkett's first wife?

Lapel pin - possibly for Plunkett Awards (?). In 1995 letter from DuPont Fluoroproducts to Mrs. Lois Plunkett there is the statement from Anne McIntosh (Communications Manager): "I thought you'd enjoy the enclosed mementoes.  The pin was just coined and handed out to our DuPont Plunkett Student industry advisors.  The boxed item was given to our guests at the awards event.  I couldn't recall if I'd sent you the book and thought you'd like that as well." Perhaps she is referring to this pin?  The letter from 1995 is included in this box.

A batch of unknown objects and textiles - probably utilizing TEFLON and/or Nylon(?).

A second batch of unknown objects and textiles - probably utilizing TEFLON and/or Nylon.  Some of the items have become removed from their envelopes.  It will be up to the researcher to place objects with their identifications: TEFLON felt (liquid filtration fabrics of TEFLON tetrafluoroethylene fiber), red pouch with tag, "Made Especially for you by Rachel Osborne," TEFLONlike sheet, objects made of TEFLON, mesh, probably a TEFLON place or name card with "Dr. Plunkett" printed in gold lettering, TEFLON jacketed gaskets [Chemiseal, corrosion resistant gaskets and packing], 

A group of objects containing: a sample of one "GORE-TEX Cardiovascular Patch, one GORE-TEX Soft Tissue Patch, one GORE-TEX SURGICAL Membrane, one GORE-TEX Suture monofilament [CV-7] and [CV-8] samples, GORE-TEX Soft Tissue Patch 2.0 MM.

Large Box - [MC2001/3 Objects] contains the following:

One large fluorite crystal (with stand) that was used as a table decoration at event (see descriptive information within collection).

Clock - "Golden Year Nylon/Teflon 1988."

Cannister from John Margrave, Rice University, Chemistry Department, Houston, Texas - paper on a new technology for producing fluorcarbon coatings directly on pre-formed objects, correspondence and bottle...." which has been treated by a multiple fluorination technique which shows essentially no residual C-H present from the infrared spectrum.  The material is completely prefluorinated, but at a molecular weight range quite different from that of the normal Teflon we have all become familiar with...."

Framed photograph of DuPont Dordrecht Netherlands, 1988 (see materials related to Dordrecht visit 1988).

Business cards - probably from China visit - including Plunkett cards in Chinese (?) [verso] and card for Jack Hegenbarth, W Liang Ye, and Paul Resnick. Perhaps Hegenbarth and Plunkett were on the trip together?

Within Another Large Box marked [MC2001/3:

Remembrance of Plunkett visit to China, 1988 - from Jack Hegenbarth - Chinese characters for "no problem."

Date of Accession20 January 2016
Bio History NoteSee Plunkett materials for descriptions of conferences and events related to these objects.
Other Plunkett awards and objects are on display on the second floor of the Science Center and are not documented.
Archivist NoteLittle of any description came with the objects.  Jeanine showed them to campus chemists, and is describing what might be TEFLON objects only by speculation and assumption. Description prepared 20 January 2016 by Jeanine M. Wine
 


Manchester University • 604 E. College Ave., North Manchester, Ind. 46962 • 260-982-5000