Dr. Bill Bazzelle began his career at DuPont in September 1967, shortly after defending his dissertation at Wayne State University. He was drawn to the company’s Experimental Station in Delaware because of its college campus-like appearance. Dr. Bazzelle started in the analytical and plastics departments, before transitioning to nuclear magnetic resonance and gas chromatograph laboratories.
Finding housing in Delaware was an early challenge for Dr. Bazzelle due to the racism of landlords at available properties. He shared this problem with Black colleagues at DuPont who had also relocated to the state to work. With the help of his supervisor and colleague Dr. Delbert Glover, Dr. Bazzelle rented a place in New Castle, Delaware.
As one of the few Black employees at DuPont in the 1960s and 1970s, Dr. Bazzelle was part of a network of colleagues who formed the Black DuPont Employees Association. This group provided a space where Dr. Bazzelle and his coworkers could discuss workplace issues as well as advocate for youth mentorship and Civil Rights issues such as voter registration and housing segregation.
Dr. Bazzelle's career path took him into manufacturing. In the mid-1970s, he played a key role in establishing the analytical laboratory for DuPont's new facility in La Porte, Texas. This plant made polyethylene and polyvinyl alcohol—materials used in products like shatter-resistant windshields. He later transferred to the Sabine River Plant in Orange, Texas, which is where he spent most of his time while in Texas. In Orange, Dr. Bazzelle was a senior research chemist, responsible for both plant and laboratory operations. He was later promoted and began managing the chemical division and supervising the research staff.
Even with the career advancements he achieved in Texas, Dr. Bazzelle knew he would have greater opportunities in Delaware, so he transferred back north. In Delaware, he worked in the research division for DuPont's polymer section and was promoted to Intellectual Property Manager. This role included the oversight of patents and technology sales. This role allowed Dr. Bazzelle to travel internationally to Armenia, Russia, China, and Japan to promote and sell DuPont technologies.
In this excerpt from Dr. William E. Bazzelle Sr.: A Life of Science & Service, Dr. Bazelle’s discusses his career at DuPont:
Introduction | Heritage | Growing Up | College | Graduate School | DuPont Years | Family | STEM Mentorship | Philanthropy