Three Industry Leaders Inducted Into ATHF Class Of 2011

The American Textile History Museum (ATHM), Lowell, Mass., recently inducted three textile industry leaders — Stephanie Kwolek, Elliott White Springs and Robert Ten Broeck Stevens — into the American Textile Hall of Fame's (ATHF's) Class of 2011. ATHF recognizes individuals, corporations and institutions that have made significant contributions to the U.S. textile industry.

Stephanie Kwolek began working in Wilmington, Del.-based DuPont's textile fibers research laboratory in 1946, and in 1971, she developed Kevlar®, a para-aramid fiber that is exceptionally strong and used in various consumer and industrial applications including military and law enforcement protection. Kwolek was the fourth female member inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 1994, and was awarded the National Medal of Technology in 1996 and the Perkin Medal in 1997. Now retired, Kwolek currently serves on the National Research Council and National Academy of Sciences and works as a consultant for DuPont.

Elliott White Springs took over Springs Cotton Mills — now known as Springs Creative Products Group LLC, Rock Hill, S.C., a supplier of retail fabrics, packaged craft kits and home products — from his father in 1931 and transformed the business despite the Great Depression. Springs consolidated five existing run-down mills into one company, built a finishing plant, established a sales organization and modernized the business. His unique Springmaid advertising campaign remains one of the most notable in the history of advertising in the United States. During his 28 years of leadership, the company's assets increased by $125.5 million and its sales increased by $176 million. When he died in 1959, Springs Cotton Mills was the seventh-largest textile company in the United States. Springs was an accomplished aviator, having served in WWI, during which he was the fifth-ranked Flying Ace and received the British Distinguished Flying Cross and the American Distinguished Service Cross; and also served in WWII as lieutenant colonel. He also authored nine books, three screenplays and many short stories.

Robert Ten Broeck Stevens joined J.P. Stevens and Co. Inc., a North Andover, Mass.-based woolen mill, in 1921 and became president upon his father's death in 1929. During his tenure, the company experienced strong growth grew from a regional textile organization to a leader in U.S. textiles. His many outside activities included a term as Chairman of the New York Federal Reserve Bank; Colonel in the Army's Quartermaster Corps concentrating on military textile requirements; Secretary of the Army under President Eisenhower; and principal in the Army-McCarthy hearings, in which he supported military personnel. Stevens became Chairman of the company in 1955 and served until his retirement in 1965.

"Each of these honorees has had a profound impact on the textile industry in unique ways," said Jim Coleman, president and CEO, ATHM. "They are worthy of great recognition for contributions they made to shape the history and future of textiles, and we are honored to pay tribute to their achievements."

Left to right: Springs Creative Products Group LLC CEO Derick Close accepting the award on behalf of Elliott White Springs; ATHM President and CEO Jim Coleman; DuPont Protection Technologies Vice President of technology Roger K. Siemionko accepting the award on behalf of Stephanie Kwolek; ATHF Committee Chairman George Shuster; ATHM Board of Trustees Chairman Karl Spilhaus; and Richard Parker, retired J.P. Stevens & Co. advertising executive, accepting the award on behalf of Robert Ten Broeck Stevens.