WorldWide Drilling Resource

62 SEPTEMBER 2014 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® The Nylon Revolution Compiled by Amy White, Associate Editor WorldWide Drilling Resource ® Nylon fiber is made with materials derived from coal, water, and air. It was discovered by Dr. Wallace Carothers, whose work at DuPont focused on polymers. Ny l on was t he bra i nch i l d o f a groundbreaking chemical research pro- gram. DuPont began commercial produc- tion of the material in Seaford, Delaware, on December 15, 1939. It became the world’s first completely synthetic fiber, and was quickly fashioned into consumer goods. Its most popular use was in women’s stockings, but it became impor- tant in a variety of other applications. A strong fabric which does not tear easily, nylon was channeled into a variety of national defense uses during World War II, including parachutes, mosquito net t ing, surgical sutures, and B-29 bomber tires. After the war, the focus of production returned to stockings. DuPont began developing nylon for other markets in 1950, specifically as belting in truck and automobile tires. The company introduced an improved prod- uct in 1959 - bulked continuous filament nylon. This, along with Antron nylon, rev- olutionized the carpet industry. A number of industrial applications rely on nylon fiber today. Extruded and molded plastic parts made from nylon are used as gear wheels, oil seals, bearings, and temperature-resistant packaging film. Other uses include seat belts, artifi- cial leather, fire and garden hoses, non- woven fabrics for carpet underlayments, Wallace H. Carothers in his lab. Photo courtesy of the American Chemical Society . and disposable garments for the health care industry. Nylon is waterproof , making i t extremely useful for tents, sleeping bags, and sai ls. Bathing suits, ski clothing, jackets, and sports bags are often made from nylon. It is also used to make ropes and fishing line. Nylon is just one more way coal enhances our lives. It remains an impor- tant material accounting for 20% of the world’s manufactured fiber production. In Memoriam Thomas J. “Tommy” Taylor (1953~2014) It saddens us to report former Chairman of the Board of the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers, Thomas J. “Tommy” Taylor was killed June 18, 2014, when the plane he was piloting crashed near Lubbock, Texas. Born March 27, 1953, Tommy was an Abilene, Texas, native. He received a BBA in petroleum land management from the University of Texas. In 1978, Tommy opened an independent lease brokerage office in Houston, and for several years bought, sold, and managed oil and gas properties in several states; returning to Abilene in 1986. After 20 years of drilling wells and buying producing properties from California to Florida, he sold out in 2005 and started Snowmass Energy Partners. The company acquires nonoperated working interests in onshore projects in the United States. Two of Tommy’s employees, Matthew Axtell and David Bradley Patton, were also killed in the crash. Tommy is survived by his children Sarah Kate (Zach), Grace (Philip), Thomas Luke, and Lillyan Eileen; their mother Stephanye; as well as his long- time companion Dr. Stefanie McCain. The management and staff of WorldWide Drilling Resource ® offer their con- dolences to Tommy’s family, friends, and colleagues. Quick ~ NEWS QUIPS Dateline: July 2014 At las Copco-owned Quincy Compressor LLC will consolidate the company’s two U.S. - based manufacturing units into one single location in WWDR ’s backyard ~ Bay Minette, Alabama! It was noted 152 positions will be affect- ed at Quincy’s oper- ations in Illinois, and a number of new posi- tions will be created at the Alabama location. Estimates at this time are the transition will be com- plete in the coming year. Quincy Compressor , within the Compressor Technique business area, employs approximately 550 people throughout the United States in a variety of roles.