Guide to the Aluminum Company of America Photographs, 1894-1988 (bulk 1920-1965)

Arrangement

Repository
Heinz History Center
Title
Aluminum Company of America Photographs
Creator
Aluminum Company of America
Collection Number
MSP 282
Extent
32 linear feet (65 boxes)
Date
1894-1988 (bulk 1920-1965)
Abstract
Alcoa, or the Aluminum Company of America (Alcoa), began as the Pittsburgh Reduction Company in 1888. It grew to become one of the world's largest lightweight metal manufacturers of products made of aluminum, titanium and nickel. The Alcoa Photographs contain prints, glass plates, transparencies, 35mm slides, negatives and photograph albums that depict nearly a century of the company's activity, including factory scenes, products, equipment and employees.
Language
The material in this collection is in English.
Author
Collection arranged and inventory written by Renee Savits, April 8, 1999. Revisions to finding aid made by Nick Hartley, August 6, 2015, as part of the encoding process.
Sponsor
The encoding of this finding aid was supported by an NHPRC Documenting Democracy grant.
Publisher
Heinz History Center
Address
1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org

History of the Aluminum Company of America 1888-1998

The Aluminum Company of America (Alcoa), formerly the Pittsburgh Reduction Company, was incorporated in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on September 18, 1888. The company was founded by George H. Clapp, Millard Hunsicker, Captain Alfred E. Hunt, Horace W. Lash, W.S. Sample, and Robert J. Scott, who contributed a total of $20,000 in capital. The formation of the company was made possible by a new process of smelting aluminum which was invented by Charles Martin Hall. On February 23, 1886, while working in a woodshed of his kitchen in Oberlin, Ohio, Charles Hall discovered an inexpensive way to smelt aluminum. Previously, aluminum was considered a semiprecious metal because of the expense involved in producing it. The discovery of an inexpensive way to smelt the metal ushered in a new era for aluminum.

The Pittsburgh Reduction Company built its first facility at the 3200 block of Smallman Street in Pittsburgh in 1888. The demand for aluminum was increasing and by September 1890 the Smallman Street Works was turning out 5,000 pounds a month. At the same time, the demand for capital was increasing. The Pittsburgh Reduction Company borrowed money from some Pittsburgh businessmen, such as David L. Gillespie, a prosperous lumber dealer, and William Thaw, of a coke and railroad business family. The company also began what would become a long lasting business relationship with the Pittsburgh banking house of T. Mellon Sons when Charles Hall sold some of his stock to the bank. In 1889 the company increased the capital stock to $1 million. With the development of relations with the banking house of T. Mellon Sons the company became more formally organized. Captain Hunt, in addition to being president, would become general manager. Charles Hall was vice president of technical operations and Arthur Davis became assistant general manager.

In 1891 the company, to allow for expanded production, moved its plant to New Kensington, 17 miles up the Allegheny River. The company began producing cast products (such as teakettles) and aluminum sheeting, as well as raw aluminum and in 1899 it acquired its first bauxite mining rights. The company grew and by 1907 included a reduction operation at Niagara Falls (NY), the Aluminum Cooking Utensil Company (PA), the East St. Louis Works (IL), the Massena Works (NY) , the St. Lawrence River Power Company, and the Massena Terminal Railroad. The company had numerous mines, alumina plants, hydroelectric facilities, aluminum smelters and fabricating facilities, and the Alcoa Technical Center (in Pittsburgh) for laboratory research and development. In 1907 the Pittsburgh Reduction Company changed its name to the Aluminum Company of America.

Starting in the early twentieth century Alcoa began to expand its operations overseas. Between 1920 to 1928 Alcoa set up sales offices and established operations, from ore deposits to fabricating facilities, in Europe as well as Canada and the Caribbean. By 1930 Alcoa had over half the total world capacity in primary aluminum. Alcoa had marketed itself worldwide and aluminum became one of the most versatile and manufactured metals. Aluminum was used in buildings, airplanes, automobiles, furniture, roofing, tube and foil, impact extrusions, rolled structural shapes, electrical transmission, cooking utensils and high-fashion giftware. Additionally, Alcoa owned facilities involved in every aspect of aluminum production, from bauxite mining to hydroelectric power to fabrication plants. By the 1930s Alcoa had established a significant hold over virtually every phrase of the aluminum production which brought it to the attention of the federal government.

Beginning in 1912 Alcoa was involved in an antitrust suit filed by the United States government on the grounds of monopolistic practices involving restrictive covenants with suppliers. From 1922 to 1930 Federal Trade Commission investigations brought further accusations of unfair competition and discrimination. Finally, in 1937, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a complaint charging the company with monopolizing interstate commerce in over fifteen markets and commodities and engaging in conspiracies with foreign producers. The trial lasted thirteen years, including appeals, with the final court decision in 1951 absolving Alcoa of wrongdoing. Two major ramifications of the anti-trust suit were the divestiture of aluminum war plants to Alcoa's competitors and the disposal of common stock holdings in Aluminum Limited by Alcoa's major stockholders. No longer did Alcoa have such complete holdings over the aluminum market that they had enjoyed in previous years.

After 1950 the company continued to thrive and grow. Alcoa produced more consumer goods and developed innovative ways to market aluminum. The company sponsored weekly television shows, developed more home products, such as roofing, windows and aluminum siding, and stretched the limit of aluminum. They developed key marketing strategies such as the "Alcoa Care-Free Home" and "Forecast" programs. In 1952 Alcoa built a new corporate headquarters in Pittsburgh. The company erected a thirty story aluminum building in the center of Pittsburgh's downtown center. It was a technical triumph and architectural masterpiece that enhanced Alcoa's image. In 1962 Alcoa moved into the design of aluminum ends for tin-plate cans in the beer industry. By the end of 1963 the aluminum top had been adopted by most brewers and was used on forty percent of all U.S. beer cans. Alcoa then began construction on producing an all aluminum can. While Alcoa decided not to pursue the business of producing aluminum cans, the company built facilities to manufacture the sheet metal used in the cans. Alcoa's involvement in the aluminum can business also led the way to its involvement in packing of all kinds. Packaging included foil, collapsible tubes, and composite containers for all manner of consumer goods. By the 1980s packaging and containers would produce more revenues for Alcoa than its other major markets in transportation, electrical equipment, and construction combined. Another aspect of aluminum cans and packaging was aluminum recycling. In the 1970s Alcoa followed Reynolds' initiative and began to develop new recycling technologies.

From the 1980 to 1990s Alcoa pursued high-technology businesses on a wide front, from the aerospace industry to military applications. The company also continued its sales in packaging, automobiles, construction, vinyl siding, plastic bottles, and electrical distribution systems for cars and trucks. By 1998 the company included 215 operating locations, 103,500 employees in 31 countries, and revenues over $15 billion. Alcoa's current (1999) president and chief executive officer is Alain J.P. Belda who succeeded Paul H. O'Neill in 1999. In 1998 the company built a $57 million Corporate Center on the Allegheny River in Pittsburgh. Once again Alcoa used technical innovations in achieving this glass and aluminum architectural masterpiece.

Scope and Content Notes

The Aluminum Company of America Photographs are housed in 65 archival boxes and are arranged in six series. Series have been designated for People, Plants and Subsidiaries, Products, Miscellaneous, Negatives and Glass Plate Negatives. The types of photographs include prints, oversized prints, photograph albums, gelatin dry plate negatives (glass plate negatives), transparencies, 35mm, 4x5 and 8x10 negatives illustrating the Aluminum Company of America between 1890 and 1988. The six series primarily depict work in Alcoa factories worldwide, finished products, equipment, employees and management. Well represented are the product images, trade shows and factory floor views between 1920 and 1970. The majority of prints have corresponding negatives and are noted as such by an asterisk on the container list.

Series I: People, 1897-1988

The People series is housed in 12 archival boxes and is arranged alphabetically by folder title. The series is further divided into two subseries, General, and Individuals from the Biography Series. This series is rich in photographs of Alcoa employee and managers and range from the late nineteenth century to the mid-twentieth century.

Subseries 1: General, 1897-1988

The General subseries (2 archival boxes) is arranged alphabetically by folder title. This subseries contains mainly group photographs, with one or two miscellaneous photographs of apprentices or individuals not included in the biography series. The group photographs are specifically staged group scenes at plants, award ceremonies, dinners and conferences. Researchers looking for employee photographs will want to consult this series, but also the Plant and Subsidiaries series, for more action shots. Of note in the series is the photograph of Colonel and Mrs. Charles Lindbergh in Surinam (British Dutch Guiana) for the first air-mail service from the United States of America to Dutch Guiana, piloted by Mr. Lindbergh. There are also a number of early group photographs of Arthur V. Davis, from his school days to the early years at Alcoa.

Subseries 2: Individuals from the Biography Series, c1900-1980

This subseries (10 archival boxes) contain photographs that correspond with the Biography Series in MSS#282. The Biography Series consists of biographies gathered and produced by Alcoa, primarily on their managerial staff. The photographs are head shots, group and public appearance of the employees. The photographs often are taken throughout the managers employment with Alcoa, and as many of the employees stayed with Alcoa throughout their lives, the photographs sometime span a 20-30 year range.

Series II: Plants and Subsidiaries, 1894-1981 (bulk 1920-1950)

The Plants and Subsidiaries are housed in 7 archival boxes and are arranged alphabetically by plant name. The series contains photographs of the various Alcoa smelting, mining, production and hydroelectric power plants around the world. Most of the photographs were shot in black and white, although some color photographs can be found. The series consist of construction scenes, interior and exterior views and industrial labor photographs. The labor photographs depict employees at work and contain a number of shots of minorities and women, especially the "Rosie the Riveter" archetype during World War II. The Niagara Falls Works and Smallman Street Works contain numerous photographs of smelting pots. Of note are the photographs from the plant in Surinam (formerly British Dutch Guiana), for they contain a number of photographs of the surrounding area and local inhabitants. The Republic Mining and Manufacturing Company in Georgia have exceptional scenes of bauxite mining in the early 1900's and the Allyne Brass Foundry have a number of impressive views of the pouring and working of aluminum, and date from 1907. Also of note are the photographs of the New Kensington plant research laboratory which feature images of the laboratory and machinery.

Series III: Products, 1898-1976 (bulk c1920-1965)

The Products are housed in 35 archival boxes and are arranged alphabetically in two subseries. Subseries have been designated for General, and Exhibit and Trade Show photographs. The series contains photographs of products made of aluminum, by Alcoa and other companies. The exhibit and trade show photographs feature displays by Alcoa.

Subseries 1: General, 1898-1976

The General subseries (12 archival boxes) is arranged alphabetically by folder title. The photographs trace the earliest examples of aluminum usage in coins and plaques, to present day use in automobiles and architecture. The dates within the parenthesis refer to the date the object was created, while the dates outside refer to the date the photograph was taken. The photographs range from images of aluminum automobiles, utensils, ornamental objects, bridges, buildings, furniture and coins.

Of note are the photographs of automobiles and trucks within the subseries. The photographs are of some of the earliest automobiles, from Studebakers to the Pierce Arrow and date from the early 1920's. There is also a large section of photographs on the use of aluminum in trucks and truck bodies.

The architectural installations and the ornamental aluminum sand castings contain a series of photographs of aluminum items from doors to clocks, stairways to window frames. There is some overlap between the architecture, architectural installments and ornamental sand castings divisions, and if researchers are looking for photographs of these type of materials they should consult all folders. Often, the photographs were labeled with the name of the building, location and contractor. The architectural installation photographs were not arranged alphabetically, but many of the same photographs are contained in the ornamental aluminum sand castings and are arranged alphabetically by building. Also of note are the slides, color and black and white photographs of the Alcoa building in Pittsburgh, PA. These include construction photographs, interior and exterior, and photographs of the destruction of the Nixon Theater.

Subseries 2: Exhibits and Trade Shows, 1930-1969

This subseries (23 archival boxes) contains photographs of exhibits and displays produced by the Alcoa Exhibit department. The photographs were originally separated alphabetically and chronologically, and this order was maintained. The alphabetical photographs are organized first by the title of the show and then by the year. The chronological photographs are organized by date only. If looking for specific show consult both subdivisions.

Alcoa exhibited at shows such as the annual Canners Show, state and county fairs, and the National Packaging Show, mainly in the eastern United States. They displayed any number of items made by Alcoa, from siding, to closures, to foil, to cookware. Often, the photographs are accompanied by a description of the arena, cost and attendance of the exhibits. During the period from 1957-1962 there are a number of photographs from the Alcoa Forecast program, featuring such items as an aluminum rug, dress, bathing suit and house.

Series IV: Miscellaneous, 1897-1988

The Miscellaneous Series (1 box) is arranged alphabetically. The series contains photographs that did not specifically fit into the people, plant or product series. Of note are the images of non-Alcoa aluminum plants of the early 1900's, mainly from Europe and Canada. There are also a number of photographs of drawings, advertisements and images from Alcoa's anniversary celebrations.

Series V: Negatives, 1920-1980 (bulk 1929-1965)

The Negatives Series (8 boxes) is arranged alphabetically into four subseries, correlating to the arrangement of the photographs. Subseries have been designated for People, Plants, Products and Miscellaneous. The People subseries are arranged into Groups and Individuals from the Biography series. The Products are arranged into General, and Exhibit and Trade Shows. The series contains 35mm, 4x5 and 8x10 negatives, along with transparencies. The container list notes which photographs have negatives by an asterisk.

Series VI: Glass Plate Negatives, 1916-1937

The Glass Plate Negatives are housed in two archival boxes and are arranged alphabetically. The series contains images from Badin Works (NC) and New Kensington Works (PA), along with two images of Dr. Francis C. Frary. All of the glass plate negatives have corresponding prints, which should be consulted first.

Arrangement

The Aluminum Company of America Photographs have been divided into the following series and subseries:

  1. Series I. People, 1897-1988
  2. Subseries 1. General
  3. Subseries 2. Individuals from the Biography Series
  4. Series II. Plants and Subsidiaries, 1894-1981 (bulk 1920-1950)
  5. Series III. Products, 1898-1976 (bulk c1920-1965)
  6. Subseries 1. General
  7. Subseries 2. Exhibits and Trade Shows
  8. Series IV. Miscellaneous, 1897-1988
  9. Series V. Negatives, 1920-1980 (bulk 1929-1965)
  10. Series VI. Glass Plate Negatives, 1916-1937

Conditions Governing Access

The glass plate negatives in the collection are fragile and must be handled under staff supervision.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Alcoa in 1996.

Preferred Citation

Aluminum Company of America Photographs, 1894-1988 (bulk 1920-1965), MSP 282, Thomas and Katherine Detre Library and Archives, Senator John Heinz History Center

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Renee Savits on April 8, 1999.

Revisions to finding aid made by Nick Hartley, August 6, 2015, as part of the encoding process.

Conditions Governing Use

Property rights reside with the Senator John Heinz History Center. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the Thomas and Katherine Detre Library and Archives of the Senator John Heinz History Center.

Separated Materials

To the Oversized Photograph Collection two linear feet of oversized photographs have been separately arranged and described as MSR#282.

To the Audio/Visual Collection 2 linear feet of film, audio and video cassettes have been separately arranged as MSC# 282.

Subjects

    Corporate Names

    • Aluminum Company of America.
    • Alcoa.
    • Pittsburgh Reduction Company.
    • Alcoa -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh.
    • Alcoa Building -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh.
    • Alcoa Research Laboratory.

    Personal Names

    • Davis, Arthur V.
    • Hall, Charles M.
    • Hunt, Alfred E., Captain.
    • Hunt, Alfred M.
    • Hunt, Roy.
    • Mellon, Richard K.

    Other Subjects

    • Advertising -- Aluminum.
    • Aluminum
    • Aluminum Alloys.
    • Aluminum Construction.
    • Aluminum Industry and Trade.
    • Aluminum industry and trade -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
    • Aluminum mines and mining.
    • Aluminum Ores.
    • Aluminum Plants
    • Cookware, Aluminum.
    • Metalwork, Industrial.
    • Metal Sculpture.
    • Research, Industrial -- United States -- History.
    • Industries -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh

Container List