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Year:1929 

Who: James Parsons Jr. (1900–1989)  

Where: USA

What: Born in Dayton, Ohio, in 1900, Parsons began his journey as a foundry laborer at Duriron Company, where he would eventually rise to become chief metallurgist and laboratory manager. Over his illustrious career, Parsons developed eight patents, including the creation of Durimet 20, a corrosion-resistant stainless steel alloy still widely used today.

Parsons' journey to innovation was marked by determination and support. After graduating from Steele High School, he declined an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy due to concerns for his safety, instead attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) on a scholarship arranged by Duriron founder Pierce Schenck. Parsons earned his degree in electrical engineering in 1922 and began full-time work at Duriron, focusing on alloy composition and corrosion resistance.

His invention of Durimet 20 in the 1930s addressed a critical need for materials resistant to harsh corrosive environments, particularly sulfuric acid. Durimet 20’s unique combination of nickel, chromium, molybdenum, and other elements enabled its use in industries like petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and food processing. During World War II, Parsons' alloys supported the Manhattan Project, playing a crucial role in materials for uranium and plutonium separation.

Parsons’ leadership extended beyond metallurgy. Under his management, Duriron’s laboratory became one of the few fully staffed by Black professionals in the 1950s. After retiring in 1953, he organized the metallurgy program at Tennessee A&I State University, establishing it as the first of its kind at a historically Black college or university.

Parsons' contributions to science and society were recognized posthumously with his induction into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2023, cementing his legacy as a visionary in material science.

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Johns Hopkins University
2800 N. Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21218

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