Draft:Freeman B. Jones, Jr. Scientist, Inventor and Professor

• Comment: Please read the manual of style for biographies. Best, Reading Beans, Duke of Rivia 21:53, 6 January 2025 (UTC)

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BIOGRAPHY of Freeman B. Jones, Jr., an African American Scientist,

Inventor and Professor Revised 9/5/2024

 Freeman B. Jones, Jr., and wife Mada C. Myers Jones

THE EARLY YEARS

  Freeman B. Jones Jr., the oldest of 9 children, was born July 29, 1932. He grew up in the small, segregated community of Prichard, Alabama, which is about 5 miles north of Mobile, Alabama. He married his college sweetheart, Mada C. Myers in 1957 and they had 4 sons, Freeman III, Bruce, Kerry and Cobi. 

  His parents were Freeman B. Jones, Sr. and Emma Lee Bush Jones. Freeman, Sr. was born in Jackson, Alabama; the youngest of 13 children and the grandson of slaves, Benjamin and Venus Jones. As a result of saving his owner from drowning, Benjamin, his wife Venus, his son Frank and wife Alice Noble were freed from slavery. He was a Professor of Journalism at Grambling College (now Grambling State University), a principal and teacher in the Mobile County Public School System. He was also the editor of the weekly newspaper “The Mobile Informer”, where he wrote many “Before I Forget” articles. When Freeman, Jr., was in high school he and his sister Evelyn assisted his father in the editing and distribution of the newspaper. The paper was on the 2nd floor of the “Franklin Building”, located on Jefferson Davis Ave. (now Martin Luther King Ave.); next door to the NAACP office of John LaFlore and down the hall from Dr. E.B. Goode. Freeman, Jr. often heard his father discussing many of the civil rights issues of the day with Mr. LaFlore and afterwards writing about them in several of his “Before I Forget” articles.         

  Freeman Jr.’s mother, Emma Lee Bush, was born in McIntosh, AL. She was the youngest of four children, born to Charlie Bush and Mary Ann Woodyard Bush, Brown, of Malcom Alabama. Emma Lee was also the granddaughter of slaves, Jerry Woodyard and wife, Alice Roberts of St. Stevens, Alabama. She was a seamstress for her church (Cedar Grove Baptist Church) and many of the Colored women within her small community of Prichard, Alabama.

The Woodyard, Roberts, Bush, Brown, Jones, and Noble families all left slavery and plantation life via Chickasaw, Alabama and eventually settled in Prichard, Alabama living within 1-6 blocks of each other, and attending Cedar Grove Baptist Church, where everybody knew your family’s name.

EDUCATION AND CAREER

  After graduating from Central High School, in 1949, Freeman, Jr. attended the Junior College Branch of Alabama State Teachers College for Negroes (now Alabama State University) in Mobile, Alabama for 2 years (28). He then transferred to the main campus in Montgomery, Alabama, where he graduated in 1953 with a BS degree in Science/Math, Secondary Education. He also became a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. Upon graduation, he began his career as a teacher in September,1953, teaching chemistry at Carver High School in Gadsden, Alabama. While teaching he was drafted into the US Army on January 20, 1954. After basic training he was selected to become a member of the Fire Direction Center of the Corporal Missile Battalion, initially in El Paso, Texas and finally operating out of Mainz, Germany. In 1956 after his Army experience, he returned to teaching general science, algebra, and chemistry in the Mobile County Public School System. 

  In 1959 he received a National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship to study chemistry at Atlanta University (now Clark Atlanta University) (28). Of the three Chemistry Professors, Paul Groves, Henry McBay, and K.A. Huggins, he chose Dr. K.A. Huggins as his research advisor. He began to learn basic laboratory techniques in synthesizing and purifying several organic materials such as butadiene pre-polymers which could be used to make different types of plastics. Dr. Huggins also passed along to him his love of synthetic organic chemistry. In 1963 he received his Master of Science Degree (MS) in Chemistry (26).

  After graduating, he accepted a chemistry position with Geigy Chemical Corporation (now Ciba-Geigy) located within the Southern Pine woodlands of McIntosh, Alabama. He worked on improving the synthesis and purification of the insecticides DDT, Diazinon, and Tinopal, a fluorescent brightner. It was later found that the manufacturing waste from these 3 materials and other environmentally hazardous substances were discharged into the adjacent Tombigbee River, affecting the fish, soil, and various habitats within the floodplain site. As the first and only black chemist at the McIntosh plant, he was subjected to the most vile and racist comments from the white plant workers that one could imagine. So much so, for his own protection, he wasn’t allowed to go into the chemical plant to make possible manufacturing changes, as the other laboratory chemists were. He protested this treatment and resigned his position at Geigy Chemical Corporation.

  In 1964 he accepted a position at Xerox Corporation, Research and Development Center, located in Webster, New York. As one of the Investigators for organic chemistry, his job was to develop organic compounds (molecules) that could be useful as electrically photosensitive materials in Xerox’s electrophoretic imaging system. He explored the synthesis, purification and characterization of several Electro-Photosensitive Pigments and Metal Salts that were suitable for both monochromatic and polychromatic image formations. 

  From this research he invented and patented 5 Azo-Naphthol Magenta (Red) Pigments and Metal Salts (1-5). They were very compatible with other primary blue (cyan) and yellow pigments. Their spectral responses and high photosensitivity resulted in dense, brilliant color images. Several of these Pigments and Metal Salts were used as dry toners in Xerox’s 1st electrostatic color copier, named the Xerox 6500 Color Copier. The Copier made the 1st dry color copies on plain paper and was introduced into the copying market in May 1973. 

  After a few years of research at Xerox, he decided to complete his education in organic chemistry at Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan. As a doctoral student he chose Professor Morton Raban as his research advisor. During his studies he collected nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectral data on stereochemistry (3 spatial dimensions) due to torsional and inversional barriers in compounds containing heteroatoms bonded to trivalent nitrogen. From this research a number of papers were published in several scientific journals (16-25). After 3 years of study, he received his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degree in Chemistry (27).

  In 1970, he accepted a research position with Amoco Chemical Corporation’s Research and Development Center, in Naperville, Illinois. He worked on developing raw materials for making polyesters, oil additives and plastics from toxic oil base products such as benzene and hexane. It was later found that these materials caused several unusual brain cancers.

  After a few months of working with these oil base materials, he decided to accept a position as a Research Scientist at the Science Center of North American Rockwell Corporation, located in Thousand Oaks, California. He was the Principal Investigator for developing liquid crystals which may flow like a liquid but orient in a crystal-like way. It was found that liquid crystals could be used in low voltage display systems, such as dynamic scattering (DS), twisted nematic (TN) and cholesteric devices. From this research he synthesized, purified, characterized, and invented several Cinnamic Acid Ester liquid crystal materials.

  He also published several scientific papers (11-15) and was issued 5 US Patents in Liquid Crystal Technology (6-10). These Cinnamic Acid Ester Liquid Crystals were used to produce the 1st Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs), and the 1st Liquid Crystal Accelerometer for North American Rockwell Corporation’s Microelectronic and Space Shuttle Programs. This Liquid Crystal Technology is also being used today to produce low voltage flat panel digital display devices such as clocks, watches, flat screen computers and flat screen TVs. 

  After several years of working at the Science Center, he opened Tempor, Inc. where he manufactured various dynamic scattering (DS) and twisted nematic (TN) Cinnamic Acid Ester Liquid Crystals and LCDs for gas pumps and digital clocks. He also manufactured cholesteric liquid crystal thermometers, as well as mood rings and belt buckles for the short-term fashion market. Due to the Transfer of (liquid crystal) Technology (TT) to Japanese and Chinese competitors, he was unable to continue to manufacture Cinnamic Acid Ester materials and LCD devices. 

  In 1987 he resumed his teaching career, and became a Mentor, a Professor of Chemistry in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and an Adjunct Professor of Chemistry at National University and Moorpark College. 

  He used the “Three Rs” (reading, ‘riting, ‘rithmetic) as tools, so that students could gain knowledge in programing algorithms, note taking, writing laboratory and research reports, as well as balancing complex chemical equations.

  He taught his students the atomic theory of matter, how the elements are arranged on the Periodic Table and how matter interacts with the four fundamental forces (gravity, electromagnetism, strong force and weak force) of nature. He also taught them how inorganic and organic matter is formed and how to investigate their properties; the various ways the two forms of matter interact, combine and change; and how their property characterizations can be used to create and invent new chemical products that could benefit mankind. 

He regularly demonstrated through several experimental labs and research reports the importance of chemistry in the student’s lives:

  The 1st tells about the Big Bang of Creation and at what point in time were the elements hydrogen (H) and Helium (He) created. Also, how matter and time are related through an understanding of the various expressions; “you were once part of a star”, “time moves only in a positive direction”, “nothing last forever, not even a proton”, “matter cannot be created nor destroyed”, “and for every effect there is a cause”, and “for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction”.                                                                                     

  The 2nd tells about the various forms of carbon (diamonds, graphite and soot) and how each differ in their properties. Carbon is one of the most important elements on earth simply because it is part of the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) of all organic (plant and animal) matter. `

  The 3rd tells about the chemistry of nitrogen and phosphorus. Nitrogen forms about 78% of the earth’s atmosphere and form dyes, fertilizers, such as Ammonium Nitrate, and some of the most explosive compounds known to man, including Nitroglycerine and TNT (Trinitrotoluene). Phosphorus is also found in fertilizers and proteins; yet both elements produce other essential organic compounds that control the movement of energy and transfer of genetic information DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) within cells.  

  The 4th tells about the chemistry of calcium, which is an essential element for man, especially in maintaining healthy teeth and bones. It is found in lime, chalk, marble, antacid tablets and as an abrasive in toothpaste.    

  The 5th tells how a catalyst is used in the decomposition of a substance to produce oxygen, which makes up about 21% of the atmosphere and is a part of a person’s DNA stereochemistry and most inorganic matter. 

  The 6th tells how two atoms are combined to produce Hydrogen, the smallest molecule. Hydrogen is also a part of a person’s DNA, as well as a part of all organic matter. Also, two parts of Hydrogen combines with one part of Oxygen to produce Water(H20), one of the most important substances for life on earth and other planets. All plants and animals must have water to survive and if there is no water there will be no life. 

  The 7th tells about the chemistry and beauty of the Rose and why and how it’s used to make the most exquisite and expensive perfumes in the French Perfume Industry. “Why the Rose over all other flowers, students sometimes would ask”; simply because “A Rose by any other name would smell as sweet” (29).

  He also mentored and encouraged students to study mathematics and the sciences, especially chemistry, while they were in high school and college, and be creative when attempting to solve many of the chemistry problems of the world.

  In community services he received a Fair Housing Proclamation from the Thousand Oaks City Council member, Mayor Raymond Garcia, while serving as Housing Chairman of the Conejo Valley Human Relation Council in 1972. 

  In 1973-1975 he served as a Trustee on the Ventura County Community College District Board. He also served as an Adjunct Professor of Chemistry at National University and Moorpark College, located in Moorpark, CA.

PAST MEMBERSHIPS American Chemical Society, Sigma Xi, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity

PATENTS ISSUED

French Patent (1). 1.556.484, (12/30/1969), Electro-Photosensitive Pigments.

U.S. Patents (2). 3,562,248, (2/9/1971), Bisazo Pigments Derived from Couplers obtained by condensing 8-Amino- 2-Naphthol with Dicarboxylic Acid Chloride. (3). 3,574,182, (4/6/1971), Calcium Salt of 6-Bromo-1-(1-Sulfo-2-Naphthylazo)-2-Naphthol. (4). 3,652,438A, (3/28/1972), Photo-electrophoretic Imaging Process using divalent heavy metal salts of 1-(1-Sulfo-2-NaphthylAzo)-2-Naphthols as imaging materials. (5). 3,658,675, (4/25/1972), Photo-electrophoretic Imaging Processes using Bisazo Pigments. (6). 3,904,797, (9/9/1975), Alignment of Liquid Crystals in a Display Cell by Baked on Ionic Surfactants. (7). 3,920,576, (11/18/1975), Doping of Nematic Liquid Crystals. (8). 3,926,834, (12/16/1975), Low Melting Point Di-Subsituted-p,p-Diphenyl Cinnamate Liquid Crystals. (9). 3,950,264, (4/13/1976), Nematic Liquid Crystal doped to raise their Dynamic Cut-Off Frequency. (10). 3,946,616, (3/30/1976), Liquid Crystal Accelerometer.

SELECTED LIQUID CRYSTAL PUBLICATIONS

(11). F.B. Jones, Jr. and J. Ratto, “Liquid Crystals I. Liquid Crystalline Properties in Some Alkyl, Alkoxy, Cinnamic Acid Esters”, Chem. Commun. 2586 (1972). (12). F.B. Jones, Jr. and J. Ratto, “Liquid Crystal II. Liquid Crystalline Properties of Trans-Cinnamic Acid Esters”, Liq. Cry. And Ord. Fluids, 723 (1973). (13). F.B. Jones, Jr., and J. Ratto, “Liquid Crystalline Properties in Some Alkyl and Alkoxycinnamic Acid Esters”, Chem. Commun., 841, (1973). (14). F.B. Jones, Jr., and C.S. Hollingsworth, “Thermodynamics and Liquid Crystaline Properties in Some Benzylidene-Aniline Derivatives”, J. Org. C hem. (1974). (15). F.B. Jones, Jr., Roger Chang and J. Ratto, “Molecular Order and Odd-Even Effects in a Homologous Series of Schiff-Base Nematic Liquid Crystals”, Mol. Crys. And Liq. Crys., 3313(1976)

SELECTED STEREOCHEMISTRY PUBLICATIONS

(16). M. Raban, F. B. Jones, Jr. and G.W.J. Kenney, Jr., Tetrahedron Letters, 49, 5055(1968) (17). M. Raban, G.W.J. Kenny, Jr., J. M. Moldovan and F. B. Jones, J. Amer. Soc., 90, 2985 (1968) (18). M. Raban and F. B. Jones, Jr., J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 31(3)87(1969) (19). M. Raban and F.B. Jones, Jr., J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 91,2180 (1969) (20). M. Raban, F.B. Jones, Jr. and G.W.J. Kenney, Jr., J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 91(24), 6677(1969) (21). Stereochemistry on Trivalent Nitrogen. VII. E. Carlson, F. B. Jones, Jr. and M. Raban, Chem. Commun., 1235 (1969). (22). Stereochemistry on Trivalent Nitrogen. VIII. M. Raban, F. B. Jones, Jr., E. H. Carlson, E. Banucci, and N. A. LeBel, Journal of Organic Chemistry, 1496 (1969). (23). M. Raban and F. B. Jones, Jr. Journal of Org. Chem. 35,1496 (1970) (24). M. Raban, and F.B. Jones, Jr., J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 93(11), 2692(1971) (25). M. Raban, F.B. Jones, Jr., E.H. Carlson, S.K. Lauderback, and J.M. Moldovan, J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 94(8), 2738(1972)

TITLES OF RESEARCH THESIS

(26). Master of Science (MS) in Chemistry, “Chlorination of 1-(p- Nitrophenyl)-3-Methylbutadiene-1,3”, Atlanta University, 1963. (27). Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Chemistry, “Stereochemistry Due to Torsional and Inversional Barriers in Compounds Containing Heteroatoms Bonded to Trivalent Nitrogen”, Wayne State University, 1970.

OTHER INFORMATION

(28). HBCU, Historical Black Colleges and Universities, www. Google.com, www.cen.acs.org/education. (29). “Versailles’ gardens offer olfactory trip back in time”, LATIMES.COM, June 5, 2023.

ONCE A SCIENTIST, ALWAYS A SCIENTIST