Niagara Research Laboratories

In 1895 came the hydroelectric development at Niagara Falls by 1910 that was the location of the world s greatest center of electrochemical activity, not only of production but also of process research and product development. Outstanding was Frederick Becket and his Niagara Research Laboratories, where he invented processes for making carbon-free chromium, tungsten, molybdenum, and vanadium by direct reduction of their oxides, and other important processes as well. This was one of the very first... 

In his pursuit of metallurgical advances using the electric furnace, Morehead had sought the services of Frederick M. Becket, who had organized the Niagara Research Laboratories in 1903. 

Metals Research Laboratories, Union Carbide Metals Company, Division of Union Carbide Corporation, Niagara Falls, N.Y. present address, University of Buffalo, Buffalo, N.Y. f Earlham College, Richmond, Ind. 

A. H. Ealter, Internal Report, The Carbomndum Co., Research and Development Laboratory, Niagara EaHs, N.Y., 1953. 

At the age of 36, Dr. Baekeland used part of the "Velox" money to build a small laboratory adjacent to his home ("Snug Rock") at Yonkers, NY. His second major invention was an electrolytic cell for the production of chlorine and caustic soda. After successful pilot plant runs, this cell was used to establish the Hooker Chemical Co. at Niagara Falls, NY. It is of interest to note that his research associate, ().P. Townsend, who was coinventor of the "Townsend Cell" served as Baekeland s patent attorney for many years. 

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