Inventor Name
Pew, Arthur E.
Repository
Hagley Museum and Library
PO Box 3630
Wilmington, DE 19807-0630
302-658-2400
https://www.hagley.org/research
Physical Description
40 linear ft.
Summary
Arthur E. Pew, Jr. (1898-1965) was a member of the third generation of Pews to directly share in the management of the Sun Oil Company. He attended the United States Naval Academy and then studied petroleum engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In 1921 he came to Sun’s Marcus Hook refinery to work in production. He became chief engineering in 1926, working with Eugene Houdry, chief liaison to the Houdry Process Corporation. In 1931 Arthur E. Pew became vice president for engineering and development. The first part of the Arthur E. Pew, Jr. Papers contains corporate and administrative records. Most of this material dates from the period 1931-1951 when he was involved with the Houdry Process Corporation. The records consist of annual reports, board of director, executive committee, and stockholder files. Engineering and development records document Pew’s work with the Houdry Process Corporation during World War II and the development of a catalytic process for cracking petroleum molecules in order to produce high octane aviation fuel and gasoline. Included are Houdry Process research and development records, technical reports, and patent files. The Houdry Process Corporation was also involved in butadiene production and the manufacture of synthetic rubber. Records describe the building of the butadiene plants, and the organization of the Catalytic Development Company. Arthur Pew, Jr. was Petroleum Administrator for War during World War II. Records include meeting minutes, correspondence relating to the strategic petroleum and rubber reserves, papers relating to manpower mobilization, treaty negotiations, crude oil supplies, allocation of aviation gasoline, construction of the War Emergency Pipeline, and related statistical information.
