I recently became aware of a fascinating paper (history) by Klaus Neuschaefer, "Smokeless Powders of Laflin & Rand and Their Fate 100 Years After Assimilation by DuPont".  This was copy-righted in 2007 and is viewable on-line at   (You need to Login Included in this work is a vast number of period commercial graphics advertising L&R products.  The report gives insight into the trial and error of early smokeless propellants and difficulties in developing successful ammunition.  There is interesting detail on W-A .30 Powder developed by Col. Garland Whistler and Capt. Henry Aspinwall to become one of the main propellants used in the .30-40 U.S. Army Cartridge.  I found this to be an enjoyable and informative read!

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