Milton Harris Papers, 1925-1996

Title: Milton Harris Papers, 1925-1996

Predominant Dates: 1930-1991

ID: MSS Harris

Primary Creator: Harris, Milton (1906-1991)

Extent: 5.5 cubic feet. More info below.

Arrangement: The Milton Harris Papers are arranged into ten series: Series 1: Publications, 1929-1991; Speeches, 1942-1987; Series 3: Correspondence, 1966-1980; Series 4: Newspaper Clippings, 1938-1984; Series 5: Biographical, 1925-1991; Series 6: Research Notebooks, 1928-1978; Series 7: Research Files, 1940-1992; Series 8: Honors, Awards and Other Recognitions, 1925-1992; Series 9: Photographs, 1926-1989; and Series 10: Scrapbooks and Photograph Albums, 1950-1996.

Date Acquired: 00/00/1998

Languages of Materials: English [eng]

The Milton Harris Papers document the professional efforts and personal life of Harris, an internationally recognized chemist and textile industry innovator. The collection is comprised of materials documenting Harris' professional activities which included significant developments in water, fire, and wear-resistant fabrics; creation of a textile research institute at the National Bureau of Standards; and the founding of Harris Research Labs, Inc. The collection also contains materials relating to Harris' participation in numerous professional and research organizations including the American Chemical Society, the Textile Institute, and the U.S. Office of Scientific Research and Development.

The collection is comprised of publications and speeches authored by Harris; correspondence; research materials; honors and awards; and hundreds of photographs, newspaper clippings, and items of ephemera, including twelve scrapbooks and photograph albums.

Milton Harris was born in Los Angeles, California in 1906. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Oregon Agricultural College in 1926 in chemical engineering and his doctorate in chemistry from Yale in 1929. An innovator, inventor, and a leader in textile fiber utilization, he is responsible for having developed shrink-proof wool, the permanent press treatment of wool, and wrinkle-resistant cotton finishing. He also revolutionized the razor blade industry during his long association with Gillette.

Milton Harris received top honors from many professional societies for his work in applied science and was energetic in corporate and university advisory groups throughout his career. In 1931 Harris, along with colleagues, formed an institute for the study of textiles at the National Bureau of Standards. Ultimately, their work resulted in fibers that were water-repellent, flameproof, and rot proof, and played a major role in the development of synthetic polymers such as nylon, polyester, and plastics. This research likewise proved to be vital during World War II when Harris was asked to work with the office of the U.S. Army Quartermaster General to develop textiles for use by soldiers.

In 1945 Harris founded his own research laboratory, which later became a subsidiary of the Gillette Company. He was director of research and vice president of Gillette from 1956 until his retirement in 1966. He then devoted his energies to the American Chemical Society - which he served as chairman for five years - and to a host of other scientific organizations and government advisory groups.

At the time of his death, Harris was the holder of 35 patents and the recipient of several medals in the field of chemistry, including the Harold DeWitt Smith Memorial Medal (1966), the Perkin Medal Award (1970), and the Priestley Medal in 1980. An accomplished philanthropist, in 1984 he established the first endowed chair at Oregon State University - the Milton Harris Chair in Polymer Chemistry.

Milton Harris died in 1991.

More Extent Information: 15 boxes, including 5 oversize boxes, 3 bound volumes, 200 photographic prints, and 1 audio cassette

Statement on Access: This collection is open for research.

Acquisition Note: Material in this collection was accessioned from the Harris family in the Spring of 1998 and September 2003.

Related Materials: Correspondence between Milton Harris and Linus Pauling can be found in the Ava Helen and Linus Pauling Papers (MSS Pauling). Materials documenting textile research and application in the early and mid-20th century can be found in the Apparel, Interiors, Housing, and Merchandising Department Records (RG 028) and the College of Home Economics and Education Records (RG 141). The work of other professional chemists can be found in the Paul Emmet t Papers (MSS Emmett), the David and Clara Shoemaker Papers (MSS Shoemaker), and the Robert W. Newburgh Papers (MSS Newburgh), among others.

Preferred Citation: Milton Harris Papers (MSS Harris), Oregon State University Special Collections and Archives Research Center, Corvallis, Oregon.

Processing Information: Preliminary arrangement was done by Sean Goodlett, Lara Uskovich, Erin Haynes, and Anna Wilsey. Revisions were completed by Special Collections and Archives Research Center staff in 2017.

Finding Aid Revision History: The original finding aid created in 2003 has been substantially revised and updated to bring it into compliance with current descriptive practice in 2017.

Harris, Milton (1906-1991)

American Chemical Society
American Institute of Chemists
Cotton fabrics--Research.
Gillette Company
Harris, Milton, 1906-1991
Harris Research Laboratories
History of Science
Oregon State University. College of Science
Proteins--Research
Silk--Research.
Synthetic fabrics--Testing.
Textile chemistry.
Textile industry.
United States. National Bureau of Standards
Wool--Research.
Yale University

Audiocassettes.
Photograph albums.
Photographic prints.
Scrapbooks.