THE AMERICAN ZYLONITE COMPANY OF ADAMS, MA 1881-1891

The American Zylonite Company was formed in 1881 to manufacture cellulose nitrate plastic products under a license from the British company, the Xylonite Company. Despite the difference in initial letters, the two names are pronounced the same.

The Xylonite Company was producing nitrated cellulose for molded products under processes developed first by Alexander Parkes, then Daniel Spill. The American Zylonite Co. was formed by Dr. Emil Kipper, a German chemist and L. L. Brown, a successful paper manufacturer who had in the late 1860s manufactured explosive caps for nitroglycerin in North Adams, MA.

The company was formed in 1881 and built a factory between Adams and North Adams, MA at a place ever since known as Zylonite. The operation was managed by Dr. Emil Kipper with George M. Mowbray as technical director. At least a substantial portion of the ownership was by L. L. Brown, the owner of a paper company in Dalton, MA, a competitor to the Crane Co. Mowbray had more than ten years' experience in the nitration of glycerine to form nitroglycerine which was used in the boring of the railroad tunnel through the Hoosac Mountain Range from North Adams to Sherborn Falls, MA.

The American Zylonite Company was very successful and formed three subsidiaries for the production of cellulose nitrate products: Zylonite Comb & Brush Co. 1883; Zylonite Collar and Cuff Co. 1883; and Zylonite Novelty Co. 1884.

By 1885, the company employed nearly 500 employees and was a substantial rival of the Celluloid Co., The Zylonite Co., and subsidiaries who produced hand mirrors, combs, hand brushes, piano keys, billiard balls, jewelry and other novelty items.

The operation of the company and its subsidiaries occupied a site built between the railroad and what now is Massachusetts. Route 8. There was a patent suit by the Celluloid Company claiming that the process which Zylonite was using infringed on Hyatt''s patents. The first judicial decision disallowed the case, but on appeal, the judge in the original case reversed himself and awarded a sizable monetary judgement to the Celluloid Co. Apparently, at the same time there was a bank failure which caused some concern to Brown. As a result of the two unfortunate occurrences, the Zylonite Companies were forced out of business. Production ceased at the installation on January 18, 1891. Apparently Celluloid Co. bought the operation from Brown, land, building and equipment for about $1.3 million. Equipment was moved to the Newark, NJ operation of the Celluloid Co. and some of the pertinent personnel were hired.

What happened to the original factory immediately after this unfortunate event, is not known. However, for the past sixty or more years, the Zylonite factory has passed through a long succession of paper manufacturers. The latest owner is the James River Paper Co.

For more information, contact G. Marshall Naul, 209 Glen St., Chestertown, MD 21620-1417, 410-810-1758.