The Man Who Made Stamps Stick Victor G. Bloede, the Baltimore chemist who developed the gum used on all government postage stamps, began his career in Parkersburg. Parkersburg Rig & Reel The trade name “Parkersburg” on rig and reel equipment was once as common a sight to oil men as the oil itself. Oil field equipment manufactured at Parkersburg Rig & Reel and other local manufacturers could be found in petroleum producing centers throughout the world. “Savings Bond Capital of America” Parkersburg could be called the “Savings Bond Capital of America.” Since 1957, when the U.S. Treasury Department’s Bureau of Public Debt was moved here, every U.S. Savings Bond bought or redeemed has passed through Parkersburg for processing. The First Free School for African Americans The first free school for African Americans south of the Mason Dixon line opened in Parkersburg in 1862. Graveyard of the Ohio The Ohio River between Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park and Parkersburg has long been regarded by rivermen as one of the most dangerous sections of the entire river to maneuver a craft through. So many boats sank there that it gained the dubious title “Graveyard of the Ohio.” The addition of the B&O Railroad Bridge further complicated this hazardous bend. The Shovel That Built America The largest shovel plant in the world, the Ames Company, resided in Parkersburg until the mid-1990s. Ames shovels are said to have been used to dig the trenches at the Battle of Bunker Hill. The company was founded in the early 1770s. The World’s Largest Rayon Mill At one time, Parkersburg was the site of the world’s first and largest rayon plant, American Viscose, on the City’s southside. “Better Than Marble” One of two plants in the world to manufacture Vitrolite, the colored glass billed as “Better Than Marble,” was operated in Vienna by Libby- Owens-Ford Company. Vitrolite was widely used in homes and public buildings, including the Empire State building in New York City. It Floats Floating soap, later sold by Procter & Gamble as “Ivory,” was first developed at Parkersburg’s Upson Oil & Soap Works, also the home of world-famous French Process Laundry Soap. Silk for Stockings Out of the Parkersburg Silk mill came real silk that made its way to the hosiery mills of the nation. Japanese cocoons were used in the local mills. Free City Delivery The Parkersburg Post Office was one of the first in the country to offer free city mail delivery beginning in 1887. American Viscose