Herbert Dow - founder of Dow Chemicals

Before Herbert was a pioneer in electrochemistry, he showed a passion for science and a mind for business. Herberts close relationship with his father likely influenced his eventual business successes. Joseph was a natural tinkerer, inventor and mechanical engineer. During his childhood, Herbert and his father constantly worked together to solve problems, which became the topic of conversations at the dinner table, according to Herbert’s sisters. His father often would bring home mechanical problems from his job, providing hands-on experience to accompany Herbert’s formal education. One of their inventions, a small steam turbine, would be used by the U.S. Navy for years to power torpedoes.

After graduating from high school in 1884, Dow enrolled in the Case School of Applied Science (now known as Case Western Reserve University). Following his graduation from Case in 1888, Dow worked for a year as a chemistry professor at Huron Street Hospital College in Cleveland, while continuing his research into the extraction of chemicals from brine.

Not long after he graduated, Herbert perfected his affordable method to extract bromine – which was used in medicines and photographic materials – from brine

In 1889 Dow received his first patent after inventing a more cost-effective and streamlined process for bromine extraction. He quickly formed his own company but was bankrupt within the year. His associates were impressed with his work and in 1890 helped him to found the Midland Chemical Company in Midland, Michigan. Dow continued his work extracting bromine, and by early 1891 he had invented the Dow process, a method of bromine extraction using electrolysis to oxidize bromide to bromine.

Foundation of Dow Chemical

Dow wanted to expand his research of electrolysis to yield other chemicals. His financial backers did not approve of his continued research and fired him from the Midland Chemical Company. He continued his research, developing a process to extract chlorine and caustic soda from sodium chloride.

In 1895, Dow moved his young family to Massillon, Ohio and founded the Dow Process Company to develop the production mechanism for his process.The following year he returned to Midland, where he formed the Dow Chemical Company as successor to the Dow Process Company. The Dow Process Company was incorporated with 57 original stockholders. Within three years, his new company purchased the Midland Chemical Company.

Death

By the time of his death on October 15, 1930 from cirrhosis of the liver, Dow had personally received over 90 patents. Dow was survived by his wife, Grace, and five of their seven children.

Dow is a notable Sept of Clan Buchanan. Learn more about the Names of Buchanan