Geophysical
Laboratory Financial Records, 1905-[1961] (Bulk 1905-1919)
GL-2005-02
Introduction
Abstract: This
collection contains early financial records of the Geophysical Laboratory of
the Carnegie Institution of Washington. It consists of orders, invoices, and
associated correspondence; equipment and personnel lists; and records of
receipts and disbursements. The bulk of the records predate 1920.
Extent: 14.5 linear
feet: 10 records center cartons, 1 oversize records center carton, 1 map file
drawer.
Acquisition: The
records have been in the possession of the Geophysical Laboratory since their
creation.
Access Restrictions: There
are no access restrictions.
Copyright: Copyright
is held by the Geophysical Laboratory, Carnegie Institution of Washington. For
permission to reproduce or publish please contact the archivist.
Preferred Citation: Geophysical
Laboratory Financial Records, Geophysical
Laboratory, Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washington, D.C.
Processing: Processed
by Shaun Hardy, Ann Mulfort, and Jennifer Snyder, July-September 2005. The fiscal
records of the Geophysical Laboratory prior to ca. 1962 were found boxed in 33
large cartons, with no accompanying documentation. The condition of the
records was generally poor, with many folders so brittle that they broke apart
when handled. Three complete A-Z sequences of vendor files (paid invoices)
were pieced together, overlapping in time span Ð the earliest dating to the
founding of the Laboratory in 1905. Fragments of other sequences were also
identified. It was decided to select only a portion of these files for
retention in the archives. The following selection criteria were applied:
(1) All records prior to 1920 were retained. (Rationale:
these records document the first complete decade of the LaboratoryÕs operation,
and also WWI research.)
(2) Records of special research projects (volcanology
expeditions, high pressure, optical glass) were retained, regardless of date.
(3) Substantive records of individuals associated with the
Laboratory (staff scientists, support staff, temporary workers, research
associates) were retained, regardless of date, particularly if documenting
expenses incurred while doing field work.
(4) Records of companies or other institutions were retained
post-1920 only if of particular historical significance to the work of the
Laboratory.
All retained material was consolidated into a single
alphabetical sequence, but files were only rough-sorted by initial letter
(i.e., all files beginning with ÒAÓ, ÒBÓ, ÒCÓ, etc., are grouped together, but
have not been alphabetized beyond that.) Extensive refoldering will be
necessary for long-term preservation, as the existing folders were simply
transferred into acid-free records center cartons.
This collection was processed through the generous support
of the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
Historical Note
Since its inception in 1905, the Geophysical Laboratory has
been one of the world's leading centers of experimental petrology and the
application of physical-chemical methods to the study of the Earth and planets.
High-pressure research has been a hallmark of the LaboratoryÕs work.
The Geophysical Laboratory Financial Records provide insight
into the establishment and initial research programs of the Laboratory, by
documenting the expenses incurred in operating the facility and conducting
field and laboratory studies.
Scope and Content
This collection consists of the financial records of the
Geophysical Laboratory of the Carnegie Institution of Washington. The bulk of
the records date from the establishment of the Laboratory in 1905 through 1919.
Record types included orders, invoices, and associated correspondence;
equipment and personnel lists; and ledgers of receipts and disbursements. The
collection represents an essentially complete financial record of the
LaboratoryÕs first decade of operation; it also documents selective projects
and investigations in subsequent years, in particular defense-related research
and development undertaken during both World Wars.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged in three series:
Series 1: Alphabetical Files,
1905-ca. 1961
Series 2: World War II Contract
Files, 1942-1945
Series 3: Ledgers, 1905-1956
Series 1: Alphabetical Files, 1905-ca. 1961
Files in this series consist primarily of orders, invoices, and
associated correspondence, filed by vendor name. There are also files with
ÒtopicalÓ headings (e.g., deep sea sampling, optical glass, high pressure) that
document expenses connected with specific research projects. Records of
expenses incurred by staff members on field expeditions Ð in particular, the
LaboratoryÕs early volcanological studies Ð are filed under the individualsÕ
names. In many cases, these are the only extant records of the logistics of
such field work, such as equipment lists. A file for ÒR. L. Polk Co.Ó contains
complete lists of Laboratory employees (including support staff, who are often
difficult to identify from other sources) for several years. Payment records
for contractors, temporary workers, and research associates are also included.
Files for some individuals are more of the nature of scientific correspondence
than financial transactions and should be consulted as an adjunct to the
LaboratoryÕs ÒGeneral Files.Ó Files concerning instruments and apparatus
sometimes include blueprints and technical drawings.
The files are complete only for the period 1905-1919.
Records after 1920 were retained only if judged to be of particular
significance or offering historical insight.
Series 2: World War II Contract Files, 1942-1945
During WWII the Laboratory conducted research on gun barrels
under contract with Division 1 of the National Defense Research Committee. The
files in this series consist of inventory and accounting records for supplies,
equipment, and personnel connected with these investigations.
Series 3: Ledgers, 1905-1956
This series consists of twelve numbered ledgers of receipts
and disbursements spanning 1905 to 1956, and ÒLedger Budget No. 2Ó covering the
period 1930-1947.
Folder Listing
|
|
Box
|
|
Series 1:
Alphabetical Files, 1905-ca. 1961
|
|
|
Files A-B
|
1
|
|
Files B-D
|
2
|
|
Files D-F
|
3
|
|
Files F-H
|
4
|
|
Files I-L
|
5
|
|
Files M-P
|
6
|
|
Files P-S
|
7
|
|
Files S-T
|
8
|
|
Files U-Y
|
9
|
|
Files Z
|
10
|
|
|
|
|
Series 2:
World War II Contract Files, 1942-1945
|
|
|
Files
|
10
|
|
|
|
|
Series 3:
Ledgers, 1905-1956
|
|
|
Receipts and
Disbursements ledgers, Nos. 1-11, 1905-1953
|
11
|
|
Receipts and
Disbursements ledger, No. 12, 1953-1956
|
Map Drawer 18
|
|
Ledger Budget,
No. 2, 1930-1947
|
Map Drawer 18
|
|
|
|
Subject Terms
Topics: Laboratories
-- Finance
Scientific
apparatus and instruments -- Finance
Scientific
expeditions -- Finance
Corporate
Names: Carnegie Institution of Washington.
Geophysical Laboratory.
Forms: Administrative
records
Correspondence
Financial
records
Inventories
Bibliography
Yoder, H. S., Jr.,
Centennial History of the Carnegie Institution of Washington, Vol. III: The
Geophysical Laboratory, Cambridge
University Press, 2004.
Related Collection
Geophysical Laboratory General Files, 1900-Present,
Geophysical Laboratory, Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washington D.C.
