Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Guide to the Instrument Society of America Collection, 1911-1972

Summary

Collection ID:
NMAH.AC.0215
Creators:
Instrument Society of America
Dates:
1911-1972
Languages:
Collection is in
English
. Some materials in
Dutch
,
German
,
Japanese
, and
Spanish
.
Physical Description:
36 Cubic feet
98 boxes
Repository:
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

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 as
Brick and Clay Record
,
Foundry
,
Iron and Steel Engineer
,
Petroleum Refiner
,
Product Engineer
and
Textile World
.

Arrangement

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

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).

Administration

Author
David A. Stevens (intern)
Immediate Source of Acquisition
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.
Appraisal, Destruction, and Scheduling information
Two boxes of water damaged materials were disposed of on March 16, 200 by Craig A. Orr, archivist.
Processing Information
Processed by David A. Stevens (intern), August 1986; revised by Craig Orr, archivist, 1991 and Robert Ageton (volunteer) and Alison Oswald, archivist, 2008 and 2011; supervised by Craig Orr, archivist.

Using the Collection

Conditions Governing Use
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.
Conditions Governing Access
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.
Preferred Citation
Instrument Society of America Collection, 1911-1972, Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Scientific apparatus and instruments Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Physical sciences Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Mechanisms Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Physical Sciences Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

Archives Center, National Museum of American History
P.O. Box 37012
Suite 1100, MRC 601
Washington, D.C. 20013-7012
Business Number: Phone: 202-633-3270
Fax Number: Fax: 202-786-2453
archivescenter@si.edu