More History Resources

Historical Collection   |   NIST History Publications   |   NIST Biographies   |   NIST Timeline   |   NIST Story Booth   |   Oral Histories   |   NIST Digital Archives

Historical Collection

There are approximately 1,100 titles in the NIST Historical Collection. This collective resource contains the writings of both prominent and famous scientists in the fields of physics, chemistry, mathematics and engineering; historical reports from government agencies that predate the National Bureau of Standards; collected papers of prominent NBS/NIST authors, and the writings of Ferdinand Hassler.

From the NIST Archives

The Archives Program provides comprehensive information about NBS/NIST historical programs and accomplishments by collecting, documenting, organizing and preserving significant archival materials.

Archival Resources

• NIST Digital Archives provides access to NIST historical photographs and museum artifacts. You can download and print (on 8 1/2" x 11" paper) postcards of some popular historic images:
  • Anechoic Chamber and Dish Smashing Machine
  • Automobile Testing and Miniature Radio
  • MAGIC computer and Optical Glass
  • Charters of Freedom and the Stepmeter
  • 1918 Personnel Photos and the Wind Tunnel
  • High Voltage Lab and Reflecting Telescope
• "A Century of Excellence in Measurements, Standards, and Technology - A Chronicle of Selected NBS/NIST Publications, 1901 - 2000" - Selected NIST-authored publications that highlight important NIST research over the last century.
• Archival copies of all NBS/NIST publications - Each NBS/NIST publication is kept in the Archives Collection.
• Biographical Files - Biographical information on current and former NBS/NIST Staff

• 

  Collected papers and correspondence of distinguished scientists - Recorded research and correspondence of notable NBS/NIST staff
• Directories - NBS/NIST telephone directories from the early 1900s to the present time
• Museum artifact files - Materials and resources related to artifacts displayed in the NIST Museum
• NIST/NBS History Volumes - 3-volume set tracing the history of NIST (formerly NBS) from its creation in 1901 through 1993.
• NIST Organization Charts, 1991-2008 - Charts that depict NIST changes in leadership from 1991 to 2001
• Photograph Collection - Photos of NBS/NIST research activities, events, and portraits from early days to the present
• Portraits - Photos of NBS/NIST Directors, scientists, engineers and program managers
• Subject Files - Research materials on activities, projects, affiliations and research relating to NBS/NIST
• Video, Cassette and Slide Collections - Audio visual materials relating to NBS/NIST activities

NIST History Publications

The following are official NBS/NIST history books and articles relating to NBS/NIST history that were published in the Journal of Research of the National Institute of Standards and Technology and other publications.

Official NIST Histories

Measures for Progress: A History of the National Bureau of Standards. (1966)

A Unique Institution: The National Bureau of Standards, 1950-1969.  (1999)

Responding to National Needs: The National Bureau of Standards Becomes the National Institute of Standards and Technology, 1969-1993. (2000)

Journal of Research of NIST

• A Tale About the First Weights and Measures Intercomparison in the United States in 1832, p. 31, Albert C. Parr (http://dx.doi.org/10.6028/jres.111.003).
• "A Doubt is at Best an Unsafe Standard": Measuring Sugar in the Early Bureau of Standards, p. 53, David Singerman (http://dx.doi.org/10.6028/jres.112.004).
• WWVB: A Half Century of Delivering Accurate Frequency and Time by Radio, Michael A. Lombardi and Glenn K. Nelson (http://dx.doi.org/10.6028/jres.119.004).
• The NIST Length Scale Interferometer, p. 225, John S. Beers and William B. Penzes (http://dx.doi.org/10.6028/jres.104.017).

NIST Connections

These articles originally appeared in NIST Connections, the NIST employee newsletter. All of the articles listed here are written by Information Services Office Staff.

• Dinner Is on Us: NIST and the Creation of Fiestaware by Keith Martin, Librarian
• The Rediscovery of the NBS Crime Lab Or How an NBS Dental Materials Researcher Became ‘Detective X’ by Kristen Frederick-Frost, Museum Curator
• A Weighty Mistake by Kristen Frederick-Frost, Museum Curator
• The Bureau’s 60-Year-Old Urban Legend by Keith Martin, Librarian
• The Men Who Made Concrete Beautiful by Keith Martin, Librarian
• ‘The Fifth Man’: The Cambridge Spy Ring and Wilfred Mann by Katelynd Bucher, Librarian

NIST Biographies

Jacob Rabinow

 (1910-1999)