This accession consists of curatorial records that document the research and work of Robert C. Post. After receiving his Ph.D. from the University of California, Los
Angeles in 1973, Post was hired as a museum technician in the Division of Mechanical and Civil Engineering, National Museum of History and Technology (NMHT). From 1974-1977,
Post was a Special Assistant to Director, Brooke Hindle, NMHT; from 1977-1979 he was the supervising historian for the Exhibits Task Force, NMHT; from 1979-1980 he was the
senior editor for Smithsonian Books; from 1980-1982 he was a curator, Division of Transportation, National Museum of American History (NMAH); from 1983-1994 he was curator
at large under Director, Roger G. Kennedy; from 1994-1995 he was the Associate Director, Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation, NMAH; and then from 1996
he was Curator Emeritus, NMAH.
These records primarily document Post's research for his publication, Urban Mass Transit: The Life Story of a Technology, first published in 2007 with a revised
edition published in 2010. The book covered urban transportation, including subways and street-railroads across the United States. Some materials date to before Post was at
the National Museum of American History. Materials include correspondence, memoranda, articles, newsletters, magazines, clippings, and other related materials.
