68.75 cu. ft. (68 record storage boxes) (1 document box) (1 half document box)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Brochures
Clippings
Manuscripts
Drawings
Black-and-white photographs
Date:
1920s-1970s
Descriptive Entry:
These records constitute the morgue files for the Science Service, and as such contain past articles, press releases and other materials produced by the Science Service.
In addition are supplemental photographs, news clippings, scientific papers and articles, obituaries and related topical information.
Files are categorized according to Library of Congress headings. These alphabetic category indicators often appear before folder headings. Researchers should note that
not all subject files are grouped together and that folders within subject areas may not be in strict subject or alphabetic order. Some information may be found under a specific
folder heading, and other related information may be found in folders with broader subject or alphabetic headings.
Historical Note:
Science Service was established in 1920 through the efforts of E. W. Scripps in collaboration with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the
National Academy of Sciences (NAS), and the National Research Council (NRC). In 1919 Scripps had established the American Society for the Dissemination of Science. Unknown
to Scripps, the three major scientific organizations were trying to agree on a format and establish a popular science journal. In 1920 Scripps met with representatives of
the AAAS, NAS, and NRC in an attempt to pool resources. Out of that meeting came Science Service, a news service designed to popularize science and to disseminate scientific
knowledge.
Edwin E. Slosson (1865 1929), chemist, journalist, and editor of the Independent, was appointed first Editor of Science Service in 1921, a post he held until his death.
Watson Davis (1896 1967) was appointed Managing Editor of Science Service in 1921, and became Editor of the Science News Letter in 1922. After Slosson's death, Davis assumed
the duties of Director, 1929-1966.
