National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Physical Sciences Search this
Extent:
2.66 Cubic feet (8 boxes)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Catalogs
Date:
circa 1900-circa 1975
Summary:
J. Harry DuBois (1903-1986) was an industrial consultant in the field of petrochemicals and plastics. In 1927 at General Electric his studies resulted in extending the use of laminated plastics.
Scope and Contents:
This collection of trade catalogs, research reports, correspondence, photographs, and other historical material relating to the plastics industry was donated by J. Harry DuBois.
Included are trade catalogues of the General Bakelite Company, Bakelite Corporation, and competitors in the plastics industry in the 1920's and 1930's, including Dow Chemical and General Electric; material relating to the Boonton Rubber Company, including Richard W. Seabury's notebooks, 1911-1923; memoranda of 1916, 1918, 1923, and 1926 concerning the history of Boonton's early use of Bakelite for molded products; catalogues, photographs, and a blueprint of a 1897 hydraulic press from Charles Burroughs Company; research reports, 1925-1932, of Sigfreid Higgins, on mechanical development research at the Bakelite Corporation; reports on sales development research, 1941-1946, at the Bakelite Corporation; experimental notes, correspondence on possible patents and other materials concerning the use of Bakelite and rubber for printing plates; reports, notes, and and miscellaneous photographs on the history of the plastics industry; Zylonite trade catalogues, pre-1900; and Recto trademark patent and patent drawing.
Arrangement:
The collection is arranged into six series.
Series 1: Bakelite Catalogs, 1910-1944
Series 2: Plastics Trade Catalogs, circa 1920-1953
Series 3: Boonton Rubber Co., 1911-1974
Series 4: Charles Burroughs Co., 1879-1929
Series 5: Sigfried Higgins and Bakelite Printing Plates, 1925-1959
Series 6: Plastic Publications and miscellaneous Materials, circa 1890-1975
Biographical / Historical:
J. Harry DuBois (1903-1986) was an industrial consultant in the field of petrochemicals and plastics. DuBois began his career in the plastics industry at General Electric in 1927. His studies resulted in extending the use of laminated plastics. In GE's molding division he pioneered work on compression molded acetates, injection molding, radomes and low pressure laminates. In 1944 he became vice president of Shaw Insulator Company. He also worked at Plax Corporation, Mycalex Corporation of America and Tech Art Plastics. In 1972 he was president of Mybroy Ceramics Corporation. A member of the Society of the Plastics Industry and the Society of Plastics Engineers, DuBois collected much of this material while writing his book, Plastics History U.S.A, published in 1972 by Cahner Publishing Company of Boston.
Related Materials:
Materials at Other Organizations
Syracuse University Libraries, Special Collections Research Center
J. Harry DuBois Papers, 1940-1943
Collection consists of the personal and professional papers of J. Harry DuBois, covering his long career in the plastics industry. It includes scrapbooks and photograph albums of his family and world-wide travel for business, photographs and slides, and audio and film reels.
Provenance:
The collection was donated by J.H. Dubois in 1981.
Restrictions:
The collection is open for research.
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.
Collection designated for miscellaneous glass plates, unidentified and/or of unknown provenance. The plates included here are indexed, but additional items may be added to the collection. There are eight plates, both negatives and positives; subjects include a man with cog railway tracks(?), two images of an observatory and two of the moon, and four identical images (two negatives and two positives) of Henry A. Rowland with his ruling engine.
Arrangement:
Divided into two series.
Series 1: Silver Gelatin Plates (8 x 10)
Series 2: Silver Gelatin Plates (4 x 5)
Provenance:
Immediate source of acquisition unknown. Found in collections, November 12, 1986.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
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.
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Physical Sciences Search this
Extent:
0.66 Cubic feet (2 boxes)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Sales records
Specifications
Invoices
Quantity surveys
Records
Place:
Kansas City (Mo.) -- 1910-1960
Date:
1912-1956
Scope and Contents note:
These records of this company, located in Kansas City, Missouri, include invoices; bills of material (quantity surveys); sales records with model name, number, date, customer; and promotional literature and specifications.
Arrangement:
1 series: 6 notebooks.
Provenance:
Immediate source of acquisition unknown.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
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.
Collection of group portraits donated by Sproul Observatory. Group portraits include participants at American Astronomical Society and I.A.U. [International Astronomical Union] meetings, as well as several other taken at Johns Hopkins University, Swarthmore College, and an autographed photo of Roy W. Delaplaine at a 24-inch refractor telescope.The photographs were accumulated in the files of the Sproul Observatory, Swarthmore College, over a period of years. They form a visual record of astronomers and attendees at astronomical meetings from 1916 to 1975.
Scope and Contents:
The collection contains seventeen silver gelatin photoprints and one key diagram identifying most of the persons shown in a group photograph. Most of the pictures are group portraits of participants at American Astronomical Society and I.A.U. (International Astronomical Union?); also, group photographs taken at the Johns Hopkins University and Swarthmore College, and an autographed photoprint of "Roy M. Delaplaine at 24 inch refractor [telescope]..." Most of the group portraits were probably intended as records of the astronomical association meetings for the use of the organizations and participants.
Arrangement:
This collection is arranged in one series chronologically.
Biographical / Historical:
The donor did not supply background information with this collection, but apparently these photographs were accumulated and housed in the files of the Sproul Observatory at Swarthmore College over a period of years. They constitute a visual record of astronomers and attendees at astronomical association meetings from 1916 to 1975.
Provenance:
Donated by John E. Gaustad, Director of Sproul Observator at Swarthmore College, in 1987.
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.
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Physical Sciences Search this
Extent:
0.3 Cubic feet (1 box, 1 oversized folder)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Notebooks
Photographs
Lecture notes
Date:
1846-1884
Summary:
The collection documents Lewis M. Rutherfurd's work related to astronomy.
Scope and Contents:
The collection includes two papers by Rutherfurd published in the American Journal of Science, lecture notes apparently used by Rutherfurd in teaching, and two letters from Benjamin A. Gould, an astronomer and close friend of Rutherfurd's, as well as a draft letter of Rutherfurd to the editors of the American Journal of Science and Art. Most of the collection is comprised of notebooks and loose notes in which Rutherfurd recorded his observations, calculations and designs relating to his professional activities. Two bound notebooks record observations of stars, planets and comets by telescope in 1846-1849 and 1859-1861. Other papers loose and less formally recorded on astronomical observations and the design and calibration of cameras and spectroscopes used by Rutherfurd, cover the period 1858-1874. A number of photographs of the moon and other subjects related to his work are also included.
Biographical / Historical:
Lewis Morris Rutherfurd (1816-1892), a native of New York, was a member of a prominent family and financially independent enough to permit his pursuit of scientific interests. After graduation from Williams College he practiced law for 10 years before devoting himself to amateur astronomy. Rutherfurd designed and made his own instruments for photography and spectroscopy in astronomical observations, often only demonstrating their capabilities before making them available to other scientists. A member of the National Academy of Sciences and numerous professional societies, Rutherfurd was awarded the Rumford Medal of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1874 for his "improvements in the processes and methods of Astronomical Photography."
Provenance:
Collection donated by Dr. David Schmidling, November 13, 1989.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
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.
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Physical Sciences and Mathematics Search this
Extent:
4.6 Cubic feet (10 boxes)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Reports
Business records
Correspondence
Pamphlets
Minutes
Date:
1958-1979
Summary:
Papers collected by Robert W. Bemer (1920-2004) during his involvement in setting language and data standards during the early years of the computer industry.
Scope and Contents:
Correspondence, reports, publications, meeting minutes, and bulletins of standards committees relating to ALGOL, COBOL, and the International Standards Organization (ISO) subcommittee on character sets (ANSI X3L2). The ALGOL records include correspondence to the ALGOL Maintenance Subcommittee (Association for Computing Machinery) and information about the International Algebraic Language, XTRAN source language for FORTRAN, and the SHARE ALGOL 60 translator. The COBOL records (1960-1969) include material from CODASYL, the European Computer Manufacturer's Association, SHARE, and the American Standards Association. The ISO records (1959- 1979) relate exclusively to the standards for data formats and codes and includes material from other standards organizations.
Source
Bruce H. Bruemmer, Resources for the History of Computing: A Guide to U. S. and Canadian Records (Minneapolis, MN: Charles Babbage Institute, University of Minnesota, 1987), pp. 30 31.]
Biographical / Historical:
This collection was put together by Robert W. Bemer during his involvement in setting language and data standards for the early computer industry. He accumulated a collection of material from organizations and individuals relating to computer standards.
Provenance:
This material was donated to the Smithsonian Institution in June 1979 by the compiler, Robert W. Bemer.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
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.
Topic:
Standardization -- Computers -- 1950-1980 Search this
Papers and photographs of Grace Murray Hopper (1906-1992) computer and Naval pioneer.
Scope and Contents:
The material includes technical notes, operating instructions and descriptions relating to projects which Hopper participated in at Harvard during and after World War II and later in the private sector. These projects involved the creation of the Navy's Mark I, II and III "mechanical calculators" (the fore runners of today's computers) and the UNIVAC and ENIAC civilian models. The photographs document both equipment and Hopper with her colleagues at work and on social occasions. There are numerous published articles and memoranda by Hopper and others on various technical aspects of computers. Clippings of newspaper and magazine articles relating to computers and their development are also included, as well as periodicals and brochures. A "humor file" contains jokes and anecdotes collected by Hopper.
Much of the material is annotated by Hopper, primarily through notations on 3 x 5 white slips of paper. Some of the annotations by Elizabeth Luebbert, who served as a summer research assistant in the Museum's Computer History Project.
Arrangement:
The collection is divided into eleven series.
Series 1: Technical Documents, 1944-1949
Series 2: Photographs of Mark II, 1948
Series 3: Photographs at Harvard, 1944-1945
Series 4: Reports and Articles, 1946-1948
Series 5: Eckert-Mauchly Computer Corporation, 1949-1965
Series 6: Compiling Routines, 1952-1954
Series 7: Press Clippings, 1944-1953
Series 8: Periodicals and Brochures, 1950-1953
Series 9: Humor file, 1944-1953
Series 10: Machine Tape, undated
Series 11: Audiovisual Materials, undated
Biographical / Historical:
Grace Murray Hopper (1906-1992) obtained her Ph.D. in mathematics from Yale University in 1934. She was an associate professor of mathematics at Vassar College
when she joined the Women's Reserve of the United States Navy, Women Accepted
for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) in 1944 and was assigned to the computing project at Harvard University. She served under Commander Howard H. Aiken as a Wave until 1946, and remained at Harvard's Computation Laboratory as a research fellow until 1949. In that year she joined the Eckert-Mauchly Computer Corporation as a senior mathematician. When Eckert-Mauchly became a division of Remington Rand, Hopper remained as senior programmer, a title she retained until 1959. Subsequently, she served as systems engineer and director of automatic programming development (1959-1964) and staff scientist in systems programming (1964-1971) for the UNIVAC division of Sperry Rand Corporation. Hopper retired from UNIVAC in 1972, having returned to active service in the U.S. Navy from which she eventually retired with the rank of Rear Admiral.
Related Materials:
Materials at the Archives Center
Computer Oral History Collection (AC0196)
This collection contains five oral history interviews with Grace Murray Hopper conducted on: July 1, 1968;
November 1, 1968; January 7, 1969; February 4, 1969; and July 5, 1972.
Provenance:
Grace Murray Hopper donated her materials to the National Museum of American History, Section of Mathematics in 1967 and 1968. The majority of the collection was donated through the Museum's Computer Oral History Project in 1972.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
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.
Scientists and Inventors Portrait File: photoprints
Compiler:
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Physical Sciences Search this
Extent:
10 Cubic feet (10 boxes)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Photographs
Copy prints
Date:
undated
Summary:
Copy prints created by the Smithsonian Office of Priting and Photography of portraits of important scientists and others in Smithsonian collections.
Scope and Contents:
Although the obvious intention of the organizers of this file was to produce a comprehensive, alphabetical file of images of important scientists, inventors, engineers, and other figures in the history of science and technology, the resulting representation of significant subjects is somewhat haphazard. Also, there are some portraits of subjects outside the intended fields, such as photographer Rudolf Eickemeyer, Jr., and figures from non technological business areas.
Several drawers of file cards accompany the photographs. Some duplicate the names and negative numbers of file images without providing additional information; some provide source data; and some represent images which are not in the file. Most of the National Portrait Gallery items are copied from a study collection of carte de visite and cabinet prints which is uncatalogued: special arrangements to view the originals must be made with that institution.
Arrangement:
Collection arranged into one series and arranged alphabetically by subjects' names.
Historical:
This "collection" is essentially an alphabetical browsing file of copy prints created by the Smithsonian Office of Printing and Photographic Services. The original images are photographs, lithographs, etchings, and other forms of portraits located in Smithsonian collections, especially those of curatorial divisions located in NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN HISTORY, but there are also substantial numbers of images copies from illustrations in books and periodicals. The latter probably were created for use in Museum exhibits and publications over the years.
These prints apparently were gathered from various curatorial divisions and other sources by volunteers, probably under the direction of curator Deborah Warner, Division of Physical Sciences. The prints were dry mounted onto cardboard and identified with the subjects' names and the corresponding OPPS negative numbers in order to serve as a ready reference file.
This is entirely a file of second and third generation images, therefore, and differs in form from most Archives Center collections. The usual handling precautions for photographic imagery do not necessarily apply, and users are free to browse in the files without protective gloves.
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.
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Physical Sciences Search this
Names:
Union Carbide and Carbon Corporation (Nitro (W. Va.)) Search this
Extent:
2 Cubic feet (1 box , 5 audiocassete tapes)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Oral history
Date:
1976
Summary:
Leonard Becker was a major participant in the development and marketing of Vinyl plastic.
Scope and Contents:
Tapes contain Leonard Becker's recollections regarding the origin and development of vinyl plastic, covering experiments undertaken in conjunction with Union Carbide & Carbon Co., Nitro, West Virginia. Tapes contain information on the various stages in production of men's plastic belts, including dipping, extrusion, fabrication, sealing, and cementing.
Arrangement:
Collection arranged into one series.
Biographical / Historical:
This collection consists of five cassette tapes recording the reminiscences of Leonard Becker, a major participant in the development and marketing of Vinyl plastic.
Provenance:
Collection donated by Leonard Becker, through J. Harry DuBois and the Plastics Institute of America, 1978.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
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.
Magazine and newspaper clippings (1955-1974) from various sources, on the development of the computer industry; six rolls of microfilm (1955-1966); and issues of Data Processing Digest, 1970-1974.
Arrangement:
The collection is divided into three series.
Series 1, Clippings, 1955-1966
Series 2, Microfilm, 6 rolls, 1955-1966
Series 3, Data Processing Digest Issues, 1970-1974
Biographical/Historical note:
The Data Processing Digest regularly reviews periodicals and books for quick reference. Monthly publication dealing only with material related to the computer industry.
Provenance:
Collection donated by Data Processing Digest, 1968, 1972, 1976.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
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.
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Physical Sciences Search this
Extent:
2 Cubic feet (5 boxes)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Catalogs
Photographs
Certificates
Notebooks
Correspondence
Date:
1861-1885
Summary:
Wurtz's scheme, presented in a report to the stockholders, was a new method for the dry distillation of non-caking coal to obtain liquid oils and paraffin. Included in this box are: the report to the stockholders of the Union Chemical Manufacturing Co., 1883; patent specifications, 1881; correspondence with the Patent Office, prospectus on coal distillation, 1885; a notebook of minutes from meetings of Union Chemical Manufacturing Co., 1881-1883.
Scope and Contents:
These papers include items concerning the Union Chemical Manufacturing Company, 1883-1885, on dry destructive distillation of coal to make liquid oils and paraffins, including: patent specifications, 1881; report to the stockholders of the Company, 1883; correspondence with the Patent Office; correspondence regarding the Company, 1883-1884; prospectus on coal distillation, 1885; and a notebook of minutes from meetings of the Company, 1881-1883.
Also included is material relating to Wurtz's interest in petroleum distillation, 1884-1885, consisting of newsclippings, contracts, proofs and gallerys of prospectus, and correspondence with perspective investors. Also, correspondence with A.R. Leeds and F.W. Clarke and other chemists regarding Wurtz's desire to find a new assistant; "The Book of Inventions, made by Henry Wurtz from about 1850, Compilation and Arrangement, from Scattered Notes, Commenced in September 1861, by H.W."; a copy of a letter to Joseph Henry from Wurtz relating to warlike inventions, November 9, 1861; photographs of Wurtz family; certificate of membership in the Whig Society at the College of New Jersey (later, Princeton), 1848; and scientific instruments catalogues, 1882-1884.
Arrangement:
Divided into six series: (1) Union Chemical Manufacturing Company, 1883-1885; (2) Petroleum Distillation and Miscellaneous Chemical Consulting, 1884-1885; (3) Book of Inventions, 1861; (4) Wurtz Biographical Material and Family Photographs; (5) Publications; (6) Whig Society Certificate, 1848.
Biographical / Historical:
Henry Wurtz (c. 1828-1910), chemist and editor, contributed to both the theory and practice of chemistry. He studied at the College of New Jersey (later Princeton), where his interest in scientific pursuits was awakened by studies under Joseph Henry and John Torrey. Between 1854 and 1856 he was state chemist and geologist of the New Jersey Geological Survey. In 1858 he was appointed professor of chemistry and pharmacy at the National Medical College of Washington, D.C. (later George Washington University). During this connection he served as chemical examiner in the United States Patent Office. In 1861 in New York he opened a private laboratory for general consulting work. During the years 1877-1887 he was engaged in developing processes for increasing the yields of paraffin oils and other by products of the distillation of coal. He devoted the remaining years of his life to his private consulting practice and took out numerous patents relating to the distillation of paraffin hydrocarbons and other chemical products.
Opened a private laboratory in New York for general consulting work, 1861. During 1877-1887 developed processes for increasing yields of paraffin oils and other by-products of coal distillation. Devoted remaining years of his life to private consulting practice and received numerous patents relating to the distillation of paraffin hydrocarbons and other chemical products.
Separated Materials:
2 glass plate negatives removed from collection and held in OIPP library with negative numbers 83-1890 & 83-1891.
Provenance:
Gift of Richard Wurtz (Litchfield, Connecticut).
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
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.
Topic:
Inventions -- United States -- History -- 19th century Search this
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Mechanisms Search this
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Physical Sciences Search this
Extent:
36 Cubic feet (98 boxes)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Date:
1911-1972
Summary:
The collection documents the history of instrumentation through catalogs, bulletins, specification sheets, price lists, and other publications of companies that produce instrumentation.
Scope and Contents:
The Instrument Society of America Collection consists primarily of
catalogs, bulletins, specification sheets, price lists, and other publications of companies that produce instrumentation. The collection is arranged into three series: Series 1, Instrument Society of America, 1947-1964; Series 2, Articles and Publications, 1914-1956; and Series 3, Trade Literature, 1911-1969, which comprises by far the larger portion of the collection.
Series 1, Instrument Society of America, 1947-1964, consists of proceedings and symposium documentation for the Society.
Series 2, Articles and Publications, 1914-1956, consists of articles, publications, papers, and reports arranged alphabetically.
Series 3, Trade Literature, 1911-1969 (bulk 1930s-1960s), is organized alphabetically by company. The companies represented are from the United States, England, Germany, Japan, and Holland. This material covers the time period of 1911 to 1969, with the bulk of it being from the 1930s and 1960s. Additionally, there is a set of Honeywell Brown advertising literature, 1952-1957, with associated job costs for printing and distribution. The bound volumes of Honeywell advertisements include samples of ads for scientific instruments and controls in industry publications such asBrick and Clay Record, Foundry, Iron and Steel Engineer, Petroleum Refiner, Product Engineer andTextile World.
Arrangement:
The collection is arranged into three series by type of material.
Series 1, Instrument Society of America, 1947-1964
Series 2, Articles and Publications, 1914-1956
Series 3, Trade Literature, 1911-1969
Biographical / Historical:
The Instrument Society of America (ISA) was founded in 1945 as an educational organization dedicated to advancing the knowledge and practice related to the theory, design, manufacture, and use of instruments and controls in the various sciences and technologies for the benefit of all mankind. Funds to carry on the purpose of the Society are provided primarily by membership dues, conferences and exhibits, journal advertising, educational materials, book publication sales and royalties, and registration fees from Society-sponsored educational short courses, conferences and symposia.[1]
1. 'Instrument Society of America Consolidated Financial statements for the years, ended December 31, 1999, 1998, and 1997, BNet Business Network, http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3739/is_200007/ai_n8909806 (accessed August 28, 2008).
Provenance:
Donated to the National Museum of the History of Technology (now known as the National Museum of American History) by the Instrument Society of America Library. Date of acquisition is unknown.
Transferred to the Archives Center from the Division of Mechanisms, now known as the Division of Work and Industry on July 17, 1986.
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:
Copyright status unknown. Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning intellectual property rights. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply.
