Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Walter Shearer Pamphlet Collection

Summary

Collection ID:
NMAH.AC.0347
Creators:
Shearer, Walter
Dates:
1948-1973
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
1.3 Cubic feet
Repository:
Pamphlets published by the General Motors Company, covering a wide variety of topics, including business and industry, economics, household tips, politics, safety, and self-improvement. There are also a number of pamphlets about General Motors itself. Many of these pamphlets also serve as corporate propaganda.

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
The bulk of this collection consists of pamphlets published by the General Motors Company. These pamphlets were produced and distributed by GM's Personnel and Employee Relations Staff as part of its "Information Rack Service." The pamphlets cover a wide variety of topics, including business and industry, economics, education, household tips, politics, safety, and self improvement. There are also a number of pamphlets and reprints about General Motors itself.
Many of these pamphlets particularly those dealing with business and industry also serve as corporate propaganda. For example, several discuss the harmony between labor and management at GM and favorably contrast GM workers' wages with those in other industries. Many others attempt to improve the company's workers, through tips on improving one's work habits, how to get along with others, and self improvement through education. Others deal with safety, psychology, and health issues. In addition, the political pamphlets provide insight into the company's attitudes during the Cold War.
Other, non General Motors publications originate from a variety of sources, such as the New Jersey state government; various U.S. governmental agencies; several schools; and a number of corporations and businesses, primarily in New Jersey. These pamphlets also cover a wide range of subjects, including social security, medicine and Medicare, health, political education, and selling techniques. Unlike the GM pamphlets, which have a propaganda nature, the "other" publications aim primarily at informing.
The pamphlets are arranged into 13 categories, such as economics, education, politics, technology, etc. Within each category, the pamphlets are grouped into folders by topic. The folders are arranged alphabetically by topic. General Motors and non General Motors publications are kept in separate folders. The inventory lists all folders and shows which are GM publications and which are not.

Arrangement

Arrangement
The collection is arranged into thirteen series.

Administration

Author
Craig Orr
Processing Information
Collection processed by Craig Orr, 1990
Custodial History
These pamphlets were collected by Walter Shearer, president of Bartley Crucible & Refractories, a small ceramics firm located in Trenton, New Jersey. Mr. Shearer evidently acquired most of them through the Trenton Chamber of Commerce, of which he was a member. There is a large GM plant in Trenton, which accounts for the large number of GM pamphlets in the collection.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Collection donated by Arthur L. Shearer, August 14, 1989.

Using the Collection

Preferred Citation
Walter Shearer Pamphlet Collection, 1948-1973, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Conditions Governing Use
Reproduction fees for commercial use.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Propaganda, Capitalist Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
General Motors Corporation Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

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