Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Guide to the Rubin Borasky Electron Microscopy Collection, 1930-1988

Summary

Collection ID:
NMAH.AC.0452
Creators:
Borasky, Rubin, 1910-1988
Schaeffer, Asa Arthur
Borasky, Charlotte S., Mrs.
Dates:
1930-1988
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
5 Cubic feet
16 boxes
Repository:
A collection of material relating to electron microscopes.

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
This material was collected by Mr. Borasky over a long period during which he worked in the field of electron microscopy.
Borasky's correspondence with many of the major figures in the field is included. Much of this correspondence was initiated by Borasky as a means of documenting the history of electron microscopy that he attempted to write over many years. The question of priority of invention and the many steps in development of these instruments are prominent elements of the correspondence.
The collection includes documentation of early events in the development and use of the electron microscope. Numerous reprints of articles, some by pioneers in the field, are supplemented by micrographs (photos) of various materials.
As part of the collection, more than 70 audio tapes were made by Mr. Borasky, recording interviews and lectures relating to microscopy and other matters. The quality of these recordings is generally not satisfactory, however.

Arrangement

Arrangement
The collection is arranged into seven series.
Series 1: Personal, 1948-1987
Series 2: Surveys of Colleagues and Responses, 1959-1982
Series 3: Other Correspondence, 1940-1988
Series 4: Electron Microscopy Societies, 1942-1974
Series 5: Development and Applications of Electron Microscopy, 1935-1986
Series 6: Early History of Electron Microscope (draft material; correspondence), 1942-1987
Series 7: Scientific Publications, 1930-1985; 8. Audio Tapes, 1971-1977

Biographical / Historical

Biographical / Historical
Rubin Borasky (1910- ) was born in Philadelphia, PA and was educated at Temple University (AB in 1932, AM in 1936, Ph. D. in 1950). He was employed as a teaching assistant at Temple 1932 1934 and as a teacher in Philadelphia secondary schools 1934-1939. Later he worked as a biologist and chemist in U. S. Department of Agriculture, as senior scientist (electron microscopy) for the General Electric Company and as electron micographer at the University of Illinois. He was a member of the Electron Microscopy Society of America and other professional societies in the field of electron microscopy.

Administration

Author
Don Darroch
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The collection was donated by Charlotte S. Borasky, August 1, 1992.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Don Darroch, October 10, 1994

Using the Collection

Preferred Citation
Rubin Borasky Microscopy Collection, 1930-1988, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
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.

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Photographs -- 20th century Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Photomicrographs Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Electron microscopy Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Electron microscopes Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Electron micrographs Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Correspondence -- 1930-1950 Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
United States. Department of Agriculture Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Temple University. Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
University of Illinois. Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Electron Microscopy Society of America. Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
General Electric Company 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
archivescenter@si.edu