Parsons, L E 1975
Professor L. E. Parsons, a Tech student from 1929 to 1936 and a member of the Textile Engineering Department since 1942, discusses that department, his experiences on the faculty, and the development of synthetic fibers.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: L.E. Parsons
Additional Parties Recorded: None
Date: February 27, March 11, October 16, 1975
Location: Lubbock, Texas
Interviewer: Marshall L. Pennington
Length: 4 hours 15 mintues
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1: Autobiographical data given,
Recalls youth on dry land cotton farm,
Discusses cotton picking,
Diversions on the farm,
Rattlesnakes discussed,
Talks about brothers,
Reasons for coming to Texas Tech as an undergraduate, 1929-1936,
Early years as undergraduate at Tech reviewed,
Discussion of textile engineering curriculum,
Fields that textile engineers may enter,
Left Tech for six years and returned in 1942 to teach,
Acquaintances mentioned,
Beginning of Textile Engineering Department discussed,
Suit made for John Nance Garner remembered,
Construction of first textile building,
Burlington factory at Post remembered,
Need for water in the textile industry,
Explanation of wet finishing.
Tape 1, Side 2: Continued discussion of synthetic and man-made fabrics,
Distinction between the two types of fabrics,
Outlines relation between anti-freeze and polyester fiber,
Defines polyester and explains how filaments are made,
Dangers involved in production of various fibers,
Hazards of asbestos,
Nomex, a highly heat resistant nylon, and other,
synthetics discussed,
Characteristics of different fibers,
Use of fabrics in automobile tires,
Change in popular use of various fabrics.
Tape 2, Side 1: Strength of various fabric types,
Most synthesized fibers are not attacked by moths or mildew,
Effect of sunlight on fibers,
Specialty fibers discussed,
Mohair used in railroad Pullman cars in curtains and beds because of durability,
Vicuna fiber from Andes Mountains,
Alpaca fiber also from South America,
Camel hair and cashmere favored in expensive clothing,
History of man’s use of fibrous materials,
Fabrics reclaimed from Egyptian tombs are cotton, flax or ramie,
Ramie described,
Traits of different fibers,
Silk production,
History of mechanization of spinning yarn,
Regular spinning and open-end spinning contrasted,
Dyeing processes,
Water based dyes,
Bleaching,
Solution dyeing,
Printing multi-colored material.
Tape 2, Side 2: Dyeing processes (continued),
Autobiography (continued),
Worked for DuPont in Tennessee,
Returned to Texas Tech for research in 1942,
Family discussed,
Children attended Tech,
Wife received degree in interior design,
Non-woven fabrics discussed,
Future for non-woven fabrics,
Tech’s textile engineering equipment used for research by manufacturing companies,
Areas of teaching,
Has taught engineering course since 1956,
Work with clothing and textile students,
Research in textiles at Texas Tech,
Helped sell West Texas cotton,
Denim fabric discussed,
Harold Hinn and John Bradford noted,
Texas Tech presidents mentioned.
Tape 3, Side 1: Memories of Clifford B. Jones,
Establishment of Jones Stadium,
Memories of E. N. Jones,
Memories of Dossie M. Wiggins,
Memories of Robert C. Goodwin,
Study in Europe (1949),
Recovery from World War II,
Conditions in England,
Aramids, fibers with high heat resistance,
Uses and strengths,
Experimentation and potential,
J. C. Penney archery equipment,
Anecdotes about strength,
Split film fiber,
Method of making yarn,
Inexpensive,
Description of fabric,
Uses,
Buoyancy of synthetic fabrics,
Surgical uses.
Tape 3, Side 2: Surgical uses of synthetic fibers,
Development,
Cotton bale sampling standards,
Opportunities in textiles,
Accomplishments of Texas Tech graduates,
Development of mills,
Abilene, Texas,
New Braunfels, Texas,
Post, Texas,
Littlefield, Texas,
Manager, Bob Hale, Texas Tech graduate,
Development of finishing plant,
Reputation of Textile Research Center,
Support of Board of Regents,
Open-end spinning,
Aid to West Texas economy,
Texas Tech Deans of the College of Engineering,
William J. Miller,
O. V. Adams,
Dean St. Clair,
Deiser Holcomb,
John Bradford,
Outstanding graduates,
M. L. Hurd,
Eliot Knox,
Employment during Depression,
Size of textile faculty.
Tape 4, Side 1: Unusual teaching assignments,
Decreasing size of textile engineering faculty,
Honors and awards,
Participation in research,
Viscose research.
Tape 4, Side 2: Blank
Range Dates: 1929-1975
Bulk Dates: 1929-1975
Access Information
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Transcript:
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