Dow Chemical Co
c.1890 Herbert H. Dow set up a business extracting bromide from brine but the venture failed.
1897 The company was formed by Dow, making bleach and extracting potassium bromide from brine. Dow's use of an electric current to separate bromides from the brine was revolutionary.
1913 Faced with low priced European competition, Dow Chemical exited the bleach business which, in Herbert Dow's view, was beginning to become a commodity one.
WWI Dow Chemical was pressed into the manufacture of phenol, for explosives, and magnesium, used in incendiary devices. These products were later to play an important role in the development of Dow Chemical and the chemical industry in general.
1930s Invested in R&D for new products and processes.
WWII Dow Chemical supplied magnesium and even shared its patented extraction process with other companies
1943 Dow and Corning Glass formed Dow Corning, a company that manufactured silicone products for the army. The company later expanded into civilian markets.
By the end of WWII, Dow's product line was extensive and included chemicals used in almost every conceivable industry. Bulk chemicals accounted for 50 percent of sales and plastics accounted for 20 percent of sales, while magnesium, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural chemicals each accounted for 10 percent of sales.