Pierre DuPont (1870–1954) was the founder of the chemical empire DuPont. The DuPont family had amassed wealth over generations through gunpowder and chemical factories. Pierre DuPont led his family of 13 from France to the United States by sailing ship to establish factories. By 1905, DuPont produced 64% of America’s sodium-based explosives, 80% of nitrate explosives, 72% of glycerin-based explosives, and 100% of military smokeless powder. With the outbreak of World War I in Europe, DuPont’s gunpowder supply could not meet demand.

To expand production, DuPont borrowed $14 million from J.P. Morgan on Wall Street and established five additional explosives factories. Among them, the Tennessee plant became the world’s largest smokeless powder factory.

Strategic Investment

On April 6, 1917, the U.S. declared war on Germany. Steel tariffs were imposed, and General Motors (GM) stock plummeted. Seizing the opportunity, DuPont purchased $25 million worth of GM shares, ultimately holding 23% of the company. The GM chairman ceded board control to DuPont.

Global Arms Leader and the Atomic Bomb

By 1939, at age 69, DuPont had retired from daily operations but still participated in major company decisions. During World War II, the U.S. atomic bomb project entrusted DuPont with production. The contract specified a profit of only $1 above costs. This allowed DuPont to attract top scientific talent, leading to unparalleled technological expertise.

On August 6, 1945, DuPont produced the uranium-235 atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima; on August 9, the plutonium-239 bomb was dropped on Nagasaki.

DuPont’s Influence

The DuPont family’s influence extended to all 50 U.S. states, like a vast tree with deep roots. The DuPont group included enterprises across industries: industrial, rail, oil, aviation, banking, aerospace, Coca-Cola, insurance, military, chemicals, food, television, and computers. Some described the DuPont group as a tree covering the world.

Modern DuPont

By July 1986, U.S. News & World Report listed DuPont as the second-largest company in the U.S. Today, the DuPont family holds controlling interests in over 100 U.S. companies. Family assets total $7.6 billion, while assets of companies under family control reach $150 billion. In 2005, DuPont’s revenue was $29 billion with net profits of $3.2 billion and 60,000 employees. The family’s base is in Wilmington, Delaware, where many skyscrapers bear the DuPont name.

From 13 family members arriving on the America Eagle 195 years ago, today the DuPont family exceeds 360,000 members, including 1,600 direct descendants. A core group of 50 controls over $150 billion in assets through joint holding and trust companies.

DuPont in China

DuPont established a Beijing office in 1984 and DuPont China Group Co., Ltd. in Shenzhen in 1988. The company now operates five offices in Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Beijing, with 18 wholly owned or joint ventures totaling over $600 million in investment and more than 3,000 employees.

Longwood Gardens

Upon his death in 1954, DuPont bequeathed Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania to the public. Purchased in 1906, it spans over 1,050 acres with historical trees, 20 outdoor gardens, 20 indoor gardens, and extensive parkland. Visiting all gardens takes more than half a day. Longwood Gardens remains one of the finest public gardens in the U.S., funded through DuPont’s estate and ticket revenue. It is located southeast Pennsylvania, along Route 1, 33 miles (53 km) from Philadelphia and 130 miles (209 km) from New York.