Collection includes historic photographs, slides and films on subjects relating to all aspects of the petroleum industry, including exploration, drilling, refineries, tankers, pipelines, automobiles, trucks, aviation, refueling, buildings, coal, gasification, plants, mining, surface mining, fields, land reclamation, coastal zone management, corporate public service, educational programs, crude oil, deepwater ports, and watercraft It also documents numerous products other than gasoline produced by the petroleum industry, such as propane, lubricants, heating oil, and plastics.
Scope and Contents:
The collection contains, color and black-and-white photographs, contact sheets, slides, color transparencies, negatives, transcripts, audio tape cassettes, and films documenting the American Petroleum Institute (API) and all its activities. The material in the collection was assembled by API public relations staff from oil industry sources over several years and was used in public relations and educational materials.
The photographs and slides are both original and copy prints are organized according to the organizational structure that API used. The photographs and slides document all aspects of the production of oil, from exploration to drilling, from cracking to refineries, from pipelines to tankers, and from storage tanks to service stations. They also document the numerous products other than gasoline produced by the petroleum industry including: kerosene, liquid propane gas, lubricants, heating oil, and plastics. Additionally, they document the industry's efforts at self-promotion, its stand on environmental issues and energy conservation, its efforts to promote safety in its plants, and its perceived competition from other energy sources, such as gasohol, geothermal energy, solar energy, and nuclear energy. Overall, these images portray the petroleum industry as it saw itself.
The collection also includes general images of petroleum workers, landscape and wildlife scenes, urban settings, vernacular architecture (service stations), railroads, road development, and the industry's crucial role during World War II.
Series 1, Historical Photographs, 1860s-1950s
This series is divided into forty subseries and contains primarily black-and-white photographs, but there are some negatives. Many of the photographs contain captions. The content includes: advertising, lighting and heating, kerosene lamps, lubricants, medicine, aircraft, artwork, equipment, political cartoons, automobiles, terminals, disasters, charts, drilling, portable rigs, rotary rigs, exploration land rush, lighting and stoves, memorials, mining, natural gas, oil company offices, oil fields, pipelines, products, railroads, tank cars, refineries, safety, service stations, teamsters, war, watercraft, and wells.
Series 2, Modern Photographs, 1960s-1980s
The series contains black-and-white and color photographs, negatives and transparencies. The photographs are arranged into topical areas such as diagrams and maps, environment, electricity, exploration, natural gas, pipelines, storage, and wells. The following subjects are represented: artwork, automobiles, trucks, aviation, refueling, buildings, coal, gasification, plants, and mining, surface mining, fields, land reclamation, coastal zone management, corporate public service, educational programs, crude oil, and deepwater ports.
Series 3, Miscellaneous Photographs, 1900s-1970s
The photographs consist of black-and-white copy prints, color transparencies, negatives, and slides for a variety of subjects: pipelines, platforms, service stations, and wells. The names of major oil and petroleum companies, such as Shell, Standard Oil, Sun Oil, and Savory Oil, are represented.
Series 4, Slides, 1970s-1980s
The slides are divided into two subseries: slides presentations and slides by subject/topic. The slides presentations were assembled and presented by API staff. In some instances there are slides, transcripts, and audio tape cassettes for the presentations. The presentations have been arranged alphabetically by title. The subject slides are arranged alphabetically by topic/subject and are identified. Only some of the subject-related slides are dated. The miscellaneous slides contain such images as the Space Shuttle Columbia, sunsets, and industrial scenes.
Series 5, Photograph Albums, 1903-1968 (not inclusive)
This series includes two photograph albums: one that focuses on aviation, bulk plants, chemistry, and disasters and the other on an advertising series from 1953. The first album consists of black-and-white copy prints that are subdivided according to subject. Some of the photographs have captions. The album containing the advertising series is comprised of black-and-white copy prints with the corresponding print ad that was used. The print ads vary in size and amount of text. The advertising series addresses a variety of topics.
Series 6, Scripts for Films, 1955-1978
The scripts consist of final transcripts and drafts for various films commissioned by API. In some instances there are accompanying photographs.
Series 7, Publications, 1959-1990
This series includes publications from various petroleum companies such as the Shell News and Petroleum Facts and Figures and accompanying slides from the API library that were featured in articles.
Series 8, Films, 1960s
The films consist of 34 reels of motion picture film. The films are production elements (negatives, track negatives, and A and B rolls). It is not possible to make film elements available for research use. This portion of the collection has not been processed.
Arrangement:
Arranged into eight series.
Series 1, Historical Photographs, 1850s-1950s
Series 2, Modern Photographs, 1960s-1980s
Series 3, Miscellaneous Photographs, 1900s-1970s
Series 4, Slides, 1970s-1980s
Series 5, Photograph Albums, 1903-1968 (not inclusive)
Series 6, Scripts for Films, 1955-1978
Series 7, Publications, 1959-1990
Series 8, Films, 1960s
Biographical / Historical:
The origins of the American Petroleum Institute (API) date to World War I, when Congress and the domestic oil and natural gas industry worked together to help the war effort. At the time, the industry included the companies created in 1911 after the court-imposed dissolution of Standard Oil and the independents. These were companies that had been independent of Standard Oil and which had no experience working together. The companies agreed to work with the government to ensure that vital petroleum supplies were rapidly and efficiently deployed to the armed forces. The National Petroleum War Service Committee, which oversaw this effort, was initially formed under the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and subsequently as a quasi-governmental body.
After the war, momentum began to build to form a national association that could represent the whole oil and natural gas industry in the postwar years. The industry's efforts to supply fuel during World War I not only highlighted the importance of the industry to the country, but also the industry's obligation to the public.
The American Petroleum Institute was established on March 20, 1919, to afford a means of cooperation with the government in all matters of national concern; to foster foreign and domestic trade in American petroleum products; to promote in general the interests of the petroleum industry in all its branches; and to promote the mutual improvement of its members and the study of the arts and sciences connected with the oil and natural gas industry.
API offices were established in New York City, and the organization focused its efforts in several specific areas. In late 1969, API moved its offices to Washington, D.C. 0F
*History note courtesy The Story of the American Petroleum Institute , by Leonard M. Fanning, published in 1959, and The American Petroleum Institute: An Informal History, 1919-1987 by Stephen P. Potter, published by API in 1990.
Provenance:
The collection was donated to the Archives Center, National Museum of American History by the American Petroleum Institute through Red Cavaney and G. William Frick on December 16, 1999.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Reproduction permission from Archives Center: fees for commercial use.
Gilman Manufacturing Company. (Janesville, Wisconsin) Search this
Former owner:
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Mechanical and Civil Engineering Search this
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Work and Industry Search this
Extent:
0.33 Cubic feet (1 box)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Photograph albums
Photographs
Place:
Janesville (Wis.)
Wisconsin
Date:
1930s
Summary:
An album of photographs of mining equipment manufactured by Gilman Manufacturing Company, Janesville, Wisconsin, including factory scenes and forges.
Scope and Contents:
The collection consists of a photographic album, probably created in the 1930s, including images of pneumatic rock drills and related parts made by the Gilman Manufacturing Company. Many of the photographs are captioned with the name of the tool or tool part, size, and part number. Other photographs document Gilman automatic heat treating machines which hardened and tempered steel drill bits. The album includes images of the Central Drill Steel Shop of the Commerce Mining and Royalty Company in Cardin, Oklahoma, where steel bits from fourteen mines were brought for heat treatment. Photographs at the end of the album document operations in Gilman's manufacturing plant, including heat treating, milling and grinding machines, and lathes. These machines were operated by a system of overhead belts. A few loose photographs are housed in a folder.
Arrangement:
This collection is arranged in one series.
Series 1, Photograph Album, undated
Biographical / Historical:
Gilman Manufacturing Company was founded in 1936 by George Gilman. The company moved to Janesville, Wisconsin, in 1946 and remained Gilman Engineering and Manufacturing Company until 1948 when it was purchased by Parker Pen Company. It was later bought by Gisholt and then Giddings and Lewis. The company is currently associated with Johann A. Krause Maschinenfabrik of Bremen, Germany. Key products include custom, automated assembly equipment, manual stations, modular and lean cells, simultaneous engineering service, and both light and heavy duty transport systems.
Source:
http://www.usitoday.com/article_printview.asp?Articleid=732
(Last viewed September 25, 2008)
Provenance:
Unknown.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
A worldwide multimarket company with many divisions organized into aerospace, consumer, industrial, metal product, and creative capital groups. Information on company's divisions and products. Ball bearings, ball bearing power transmission units, milling machines and attachments, drilling and boring equipment and attachments, grinding machines, tracing machines, numerical control systems for these machines, and accessories. Bostitch pneumatic staplers and nailers...this comprises the uncataloged portion.
Coleman Electronic Systems (subsidiary) Search this
Notes content:
Colemaster/60 solid state, closed loop, absolute n/c system for vertical knee type mills. Precision instrument racks for use as a precision measuring element for display or numerical control systems ; may be applied to milling, drilling, and boring machines, lathes, etc. ; modumatic linear display system for use in machine shops...this comprises the uncataloged portion.
Includes:
Trade catalog
Black and white images
Physical description:
2 pieces; 1 box
Language:
English
Type of material:
Trade catalogs
Trade literature
Place:
Santa Ana, California, United States
Date:
1900s
Topic (Romaine term):
Machine tools and metalworking equipment Search this
Measuring; calculating and testing devices Search this
1928 ; mechanical and hydraulic drilling and boring machines ; automobile and industrial clutches ; single lever control gear transmissions ; clutch drive units ; "PULLMORE" ;
Includes:
Trade catalog
Black and white images
Physical description:
4 pieces; 1 box
Language:
English
Type of material:
Trade catalogs
Trade literature
Place:
Rockford, Illinois, United States
Date:
1900s
Topic (Romaine term):
Well drilling equipment: water; oil; etc. Search this
Materials handling equipment (includes barrels; bottling and filling; casters; chains; etc.) Search this
Construction and earth-moving machinery Search this
Mining machinery; equipment and supplies Search this
Machine tools and metalworking equipment Search this
Automobiles and automotive equipment (including trucks and buses) Search this
Industrial equipment or mechanical machinery (including supplies and components) Search this
metal working small tools and machinery ; "Lennox" rotary bevel shear ; concrete reinforcing service for bridges, buildings and roadways ; "Shop Handbook on Alloy Steels" ; steel products ; boiler and mechanical steel tubing ; steel bolts, nuts, and other hardware ; "Allegheny 66" corrosion resistant steel alloy ; "Glyco" babbitt metals ; "Rycase" steel ; "Permite" cast bronze bars ; aircraft steels ; "Ryerson-Conradson" lathes ; "Ryerson-Lennox" bevel shears ; "Bertsch" plate bending roll machinery ; flue-cleaning machines for railroad shops ; spring making and repairing equipment for railroad shops ; welding rods and equipment ; steel and lead safety treads ; drilling and boring machines ; includes blueprints of machines ; company history with a concise review of technological progress from 1880 to 1940s ; 1908-1964 ; steel ; aluminium ; special metals ; plastics ; machinery
Includes:
Trade catalog, price lists and histories
Black and white images
Physical description:
294 pieces; 24 boxes
Language:
English
Type of material:
Trade catalogs
Trade literature
Place:
Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
Date:
1900s
Topic (Romaine term):
Architectural designs and building materials Search this
Vereinigte Osterreichische Eisen- und Stahlwerke AG ; Oesterreichisch-Alpine Montan AG ; Gebruder Bohler & Co. AG ; Schoeller-Bleckmann Stahlwerke AG ; Steirische Gussstahlwerke AG ; Vereinigte Edelstahlwerke AG Search this
Notes content:
Engine lathes and attachments, radial drilling and boring machine, plate shears, flexible manufacturing systems, manufacturing cells, CNC turning-boring-milling centre. Mining equipment: Alpine Miners ; multi-head tunneller ; hydraulic roof support ; dust arrester...this comprises the uncataloged portion.
Includes:
Trade catalog
Black and white images
Color images
Physical description:
15 pieces; 1 box
Language:
English
Type of material:
Trade catalogs
Trade literature
Place:
Linz, Austria
Date:
1900s
Topic (Romaine term):
Machine tools and metalworking equipment Search this
Mining machinery; equipment and supplies Search this
"P & H" [trademark] ; Harnischfeger Corp. ; Harnischfeger Industries, Inc. ; P&H Mining Equipment, Inc. Search this
Notes content:
Circa 1893 through 1940s trade lit for P&H. A 1905 cranes catalogue. Brochures from 1913-1915 telling about P & H's drilling and boring machines for the mining industry. For the construction, lumber , foundry and other types of industries: P&H also makes cranes , excavators , shovels , draglines , clamshell cranes , skimmer scoops , trench hoes ; electric hoists ; "Zip-Lift" hoists ; "Travel-Lift" cranes ; "Corduroy" sugar cane loaders ; truck cranes ; arc welding equipment ; "P&H" backfillers ; steam steering gear for tug boats, steamers, yachts, ferry boats.
Hydra-Point numerical control system, automatic tape punch, milling, drilling and boring machine, and machining center. Electric controller...this comprises the uncataloged portion.
Includes:
Trade catalog
Black and white images
Physical description:
1 piece; 1 box
Language:
English
Type of material:
Trade catalogs
Trade literature
Place:
East Aurora, New York, United States
Date:
1900s
Topic (Romaine term):
Machine tools and metalworking equipment Search this
