Author
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List, Gary |
Submitted to: Inform
Publication Type: Popular Publication Publication Acceptance Date: 10/1/2003 Publication Date: 12/1/2003 Citation: List, G.R. 2003. Giants from the past: David Wesson. Inform. 14:638. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Few scientists have had more impact on the oilseed industry than David Wesson whose vision and energy played a key role in founding the American Oil Chemists' Society. Born shortly before the start of the Civil War on January 14, 1861, Wesson received his early education in the public schools of Brooklyn, New York and graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) with a Bachelor of Science degree and served as an assistant to the Professor of Chemistry there. Shortly thereafter, Wesson became interested in fats, oils and soaps when he took a position as Chief Chemist for the N. K. Fairbanks Company, Chicago, Illinois, a manufacturer of animal based compound shortenings. Typically, these products consisted of 8 parts oleostearin, 38 parts cottonseed oil and 60 parts lard. These products were so successful in the marketplace that Fairbanks gave up making pure lard. |