Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Guide to the George Eli Whitney Papers

Summary
Collection ID:
NMAH.AC.0463
Creators:
Whitney, George Eli, 1862-1963 (engineer)
Dates:
1898-1957
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
0.5 Cubic feet
1 box
Repository:
The papers of inventor and engineer George Eli Whitney.
Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents
Correspondence includes handwritten letters to John H. Bacon from Whitney. Bacon apparently undertook the task of collecting documentation of Whitney's career in the 1950s. Another 30 letters involve former associates of Whitney's, particularly Nathaniel Henry Cooledge (known as "Oliver") who was associated with Whitney as his trusted foreman and assistant for 50 years and Capt. Ted Middleton. Also included are agreements, contracts and patents concerning Whitney's inventions as well as newsclippings, photoprints, etc. A lengthy questionnaire prepared by John H. Bacon was filled out by Whitney in 1955 giving information on his major inventions and projects as well as his personal life.
Arrangement
Arrangement
Collection is arranged into one series.
Biographical / Historical
Biographical / Historical
Whitney (1862-1963) was an engineer and inventor who developed many applications of steam power, including bicycles, cars, and boats from 1890s-1930s. The Locomobile Company, of which Whitney was chief engineer, produced several thousand steam cars around the turn of the century. During WWI, Whitney designed the compound steam engine which powered about 300 U.S. Navy anti submarine ships. Whitney was the recipient of about 150 patents on his inventions, a number of which he sold rights to.
Administration
Author
Don Darroch
Processing Information
Processed by Don Darroch, volunteer, 9/3/92.
Custodial History
Papers were "left for study" by Edward Bacon on September 30, 1991. Transferred from the Division of Transportation (now the Division of Work and Industry) to the Archives Center in August, 1992.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Collection donated by Edward Bacon, October 31, 1992.
Using the Collection
Preferred Citation
George Eli Whitney Papers, 1898-1957, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
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.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Keywords
Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Patents -- 20th century Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Photographs -- Black-and-white photoprints -- 1900-1950 Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Correspondence -- 1880-1950 Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Clippings -- 1890-1960 Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Inventors -- 1890-1960 Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Inventors -- 20th century Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Inventions -- 20th century Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Bacon, John H. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Cooledge, Nathaniel Henry Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Locomobile Company Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Transportation 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