Walter O. Snelling: The Father of Propane and Pioneer of Explosives Safety
Walter Otheman Snelling (1880–1965) was a prolific American chemist and inventor whose work fundamentally transformed the energy and mining industries. While his name may not be as instantly recognizable as Edison or Nobel, Snelling’s discovery of propane and his advancements in explosives chemistry saved countless lives and created a multi-billion-dollar global industry.
1. Biography: A Life of Scientific Inquiry
Walter Otheman Snelling was born on December 13, 1880, in Washington, D.C. From an early age, he displayed a rigorous intellectual curiosity, which he pursued through an elite multi-university education. He earned a B.S. from George Washington University in 1904, followed by a second B.S. from Harvard in 1905. He continued his specialized training at Yale, earning an M.S. in 1906, and returned to George Washington University to complete his Ph.D. in 1907.
Snelling’s professional career began at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), specifically within the Technologic Branch, which later became the U.S. Bureau of Mines. As a young chemist, he was tasked with investigating the causes of mine explosions—a major industrial hazard of the era. In 1912, he transitioned into the private sector, moving to Allentown, Pennsylvania, to work as a research chemist and later as the Director of Research for the Trojan Powder Company. He remained in Allentown for the rest of his life, operating a private laboratory where he continued to consult for the government and private industry.
2. Major Contributions: Propane and Explosives Safety
The Discovery of Propane (LPG)
Snelling’s most famous contribution occurred in 1910, sparked by a mundane complaint. A friend, Fred Tilford, complained that a gallon of gasoline he had purchased for his Ford Model T was disappearing; by the time he got home, the container was half empty and the cork had popped out.
Snelling suspected that the gasoline contained "wild" volatile components. Using a glass coil and a series of containers, he began distilling the gasoline. He discovered that the vapors could be condensed into a liquid under moderate pressure. He identified these gases as propane, butane, and other hydrocarbons. By 1912, Snelling had developed a method to bottle these liquefied petroleum gases (LPG). He famously demonstrated that a small tank of propane could light a home and provide fuel for cooking for weeks, effectively birthing the LPG industry.
Explosives and Detonators
Before his work on propane, Snelling was a leading authority on explosives. He developed the Snelling Densimeter, a device used to determine the density of explosives, which was critical for calculating their power and safety. He was instrumental in standardized testing for "permissible explosives"—those safe enough to be used in gaseous or dusty coal mines without triggering secondary disasters.
Oil Cracking and Refining
Snelling was a pioneer in the "cracking" process, which breaks down large hydrocarbon molecules into smaller ones to increase gasoline yield. He developed the Snelling Process, which utilized high pressure and temperature to transform heavy oils into lighter, more valuable fuels.
3. Notable Publications and Patents
Snelling was more of an inventor than a traditional academic, meaning his most influential "publications" were often patents and government bulletins.
- U.S. Patent 1,056,845 (1913): Process of Producing Liquefied Gas. This is the foundational patent for the propane and LPG industry.
- The Role of Chemistry in the Conservation of Our Natural Resources (1908): An early visionary paper arguing for the efficient use of hydrocarbons.
- Bureau of Mines Bulletin 15 (1911): Investigations of Explosives Used in Coal Mines. This became a standard safety manual for the mining industry.
- Bureau of Mines Bulletin 17 (1912): A Primer on Explosives for Coal Miners (Co-authored with Charles E. Munroe).
4. Awards and Recognition
Snelling’s work earned him significant accolades within the scientific community:
- Edward Longstreth Medal (1910): Awarded by the Franklin Institute for his work on explosives and safety.
- Honorary Doctorate of Science: Awarded by Lehigh University for his contributions to industrial chemistry.
- LPG Hall of Fame: Posthumously recognized as the "Father of Propane" by the National Propane Gas Association.
- Patent Portfolio: By the end of his life, Snelling held nearly 200 patents in the fields of explosives, oil refining, and chemicals.
5. Impact and Legacy
Snelling’s legacy is twofold:
- The LPG Industry: Today, propane is a vital energy source for millions of people worldwide, used for heating, cooking, and industrial processes in areas where natural gas pipelines do not reach. Snelling’s realization that "waste" gases from oil production could be captured and utilized was a landmark in energy conservation.
- Industrial Safety: His work with the Bureau of Mines drastically reduced the frequency of catastrophic mine explosions. By standardizing what constituted a "safe" explosive, he protected generations of miners.
6. Collaborations and Professional Circles
- Joseph A. Holmes: Snelling worked closely under Holmes, the first director of the U.S. Bureau of Mines, to establish the nation’s first explosives testing station in Pittsburgh.
- Charles E. Munroe: A legendary figure in explosives (discoverer of the Munroe Effect), Munroe was Snelling’s mentor and co-author during his time with the government.
- The Manhattan Project: During World War II, Snelling’s expertise in explosives was so highly regarded that he served as a consultant for the Manhattan Project, contributing to the development of the triggers for atomic weapons.
7. Lesser-Known Facts
- The "Gasoline in a Bottle" Experiment: To prove his theory about propane to his colleagues, Snelling once filled a glass bottle with the volatile gas and submerged it in a bucket of ice. When he removed the bottle and it began to warm, the internal pressure caused the bottle to shatter—a dangerous but effective demonstration of the energy density of LPG.
- A Family of Scientists: His son, Richard Snelling, became a prominent figure in the development of fiber optics and telecommunications, continuing the family's tradition of technical innovation.
- The Allentown Laboratory: Snelling was known for his eccentric and tireless work ethic. He maintained a massive private laboratory in his home in Allentown, which was reportedly filled with thousands of chemical samples and experimental apparatuses.
- Underwater Photography: Beyond chemistry, Snelling was an early pioneer of underwater photography, developing specialized housings for cameras to document the effects of underwater explosions.