Archive

The History of Industrial Cleaning

This archive has been assembled over decades of active work in the industrial cleaning business. It began as a personal project to preserve the institutional memory of an industry that rarely stops to document itself — and has grown into one of the most comprehensive historical records of chemical and industrial cleaning practice available anywhere. Contributions, corrections, and correspondence from colleagues who share this history are always welcome.

— David P. Nesbitt, PE Emeritus

Historical Documents

The following documents form the core of the archive. Each represents years of research, firsthand accounts, and primary source material:

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ICS History

The History of Chemical Cleaning and the Industrial Cleaning Business — a comprehensive account from the earliest days to modern practice.
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Chem Prof in ICB

The Chemical Professionals in the Industrial Cleaning Business — profiles and contributions of the engineers and chemists who shaped the field.
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History of Dowell

A detailed account of Dowell — one of the most influential organizations in the history of industrial cleaning — its founding, growth, and legacy.

About the Archive

All material is presented as historical record. Contributions are shown as footnotes at the end of each section, or in the Acknowledgements section at the end of each document.

The initial knowledge base for this history draws from the RACE 1993 paper entitled “The History of Chemical Cleaning, and a Historical Perspective of the Industrial Cleaning Business” — authored by A. David Nesbitt, PE, and D.P. Nesbitt, PE. Many subsequent contributors have added to and corrected this foundation over the years.

A Note from Young Dave

“I am a second-generation industrial ‘cleaner’, and there are now at least four generations of this business since its inception in the early 1900s. I never intended to follow in Dad’s footsteps. I’ve a lot of people to thank for giving me a start down the path in industrial cleaning.”

This history is a living document. If you have contributions or corrections, please reach out directly.