Dupont Viscoloid Company

The company was founded by Alexander Paton, Ludwig Stross and Bernard W. Doyle in 1901 as the Sterling Comb Company.[1] In 1912, the three men consolidated a number of smaller plastics manufactures under the name Viscoloid Company.[1] The company pioneered the use of pyroxylin plastic in hair combs, toilet articles, and a number of different products. In 1914, the Viscoloid Company began marketing pyroxylin plastic toys.[2] The toy industry quickly became the company's most profitable, and the Viscoloid was soon the leading pyroxylin plastic toy manufacturer in America.[2] By 1923, Bernard Doyle had taken over the company and "The Viscoloid" spanned 106 buildings and was the largest employer in Leominster.[1][3] In 1925, the company was sold to the Dupont Company of Leominster and was renamed the Dupont Viscoloid Company, Inc.[3] The company would continually be a giant in the plastics industry until closing in November 1977.[2]