Interviewer(s): E. Bernier. Houma, LA

Affiliation: University of Arizona

I received Melvin's name from Herman LeBlanc. Melvin worked for several different contract companies during his time with the oil field. Melvin talks about his oil experiences with much interest. He seems glad to be out of it, but is also thankful to the oil industry for providing him with work. His last comment was very telling. He said, "Well the oil industry hasn't changed one bit. My nephew was laid off this morning from Weatherford."

Melvin Blanchard was born in 1930. His father was a afarmer, and Melvin began in 1949 working for a contract company as a roustabout. He worked onshore and offshore on rigs and ws involved in drilling and pushing tools. He held jobs with 7 different companies, changing jobs in response to layoffs and insearch of better working conditions.