He worked as a mechanic and millwright for three years, designing and erecting two large mills for Mancos Lumber Company.
In 1902 Charles F. Chandler, a colleague at Columbia, recommended him as a chemist for the Welsbach Light Chemical Company in Gloucester City, New Jersey, where he was made superintendent of all manufacturing departments by 1903.
He devoted seven years to directing research work, solving chemical and engineering problems, and developing the factories at Philadelphia and Columbus.
[6] Between 1912 and 1921 he was granted twenty-two U.S. patents for items and processes ranging from removing nickel from hydrogenized fat to apparatus for producing ethylene.
In 1923 he was awarded the Perkin Medal,[7][8][9] which he described as 'the greatest honor that can be conferred upon a chemist by his fellow workers'.
In his acceptance speech he went on to say: 'I am deeply appreciative of the distinction which your committee has bestowed upon me, and doubly grateful to receive the beautiful symbol of the honor from you, sir, a Perkin Medalist yourself and by unanimous consent the beloved dean of our profession.'