Consumer Reports. Dexter Masters papers, 1940-1981

Navigate the Collection

Using These Materials Teaser

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials


Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
More about accessing and using these materials...

Summary

Creator:
Consumer Reports (Firm)
Abstract:
Consumer Reports is a product testing and consumer advocacy nonprofit organization based in Yonkers, N.Y., founded in 1936 as Consumers Union. Dexter Masters (1908-1989) was an author, editor and critic noted for his work to raise awareness of the dangers of cigarette smoke and nuclear radiation. He worked at Consumers Union as an editor (1937-1942, 1947-1953) and as Executive Director (1958-1963). Collection includes articles and clippings; correspondence; manuscripts of book projects; reports and other printed materials. Topics addressed include consumer education and protection; Consumers Union anniversaries; policy and personnel issues; and public relations. Acquired as part of the John W. Hartman Center for Sales, Advertising & Marketing History.
Extent:
0.8 Linear Feet
Language:
Materials in English.
Collection ID:
RL.12035

Background

Scope and content:

Collection includes articles and clippings; correspondence; manuscripts of book projects; reports and other printed materials. Topics addressed include consumer education and protection; Consumers Union anniversaries; policy and personnel issues; and public relations.

Biographical / historical:

Consumer Reports is a product testing and consumer advocacy nonprofit organization based in Yonkers, N.Y., founded in 1936 as Consumers Union. Dexter Masters (1908-1989) was an author, editor and critic noted for his work to raise awareness of the dangers of cigarette smoke and nuclear radiation. Dexter Masters was an author, editor and critic noted for his work to raise awareness of the dangers of cigarette smoke and nuclear radiation. He worked at Consumers Union as an editor (1937-1942, 1947-1953) and as Executive Director (1958-1963)..

Dexter Wright Masters was born in 1908 in Illinois. He graduated from the University of Chicago (class of 1930) and worked as Editor at the marketing journal Tide (1931-1936). He joined Consumers Union as an editor in 1936 where he stayed until 1942 when he left for government service during World War II (Army Air Force, the Board of Economic Warfare). He worked briefly at MIT's Radiation Laboratory before returing to Consumers Union in 1947 as Consulting Editor (1947-1953) and later as Chairman of the Interim Management Committee (1957). Masters was named Executive Director of Consumers Union in 1958 and left in 1963 to pursue a full-time writing career. He died in 1989 in Illinois.

Masters co-edited with Katharine Way "One World or None", a compilation of interviews with leading atomic scientists, in 1946. In 1955 Masters published his first novel, The Accident, which dealt with radiation sickness. After leaving Consumers Union, Masters published a work on consumerism, The Intelligent Buyer and the Telltale Seller (1965) and a second novel, The Cloud Chamber (1971) which like The Accident dealt with atomic energy.

Acquisition information:
The Consumer Reports. Dexter Masters papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a gift from Consumer Reports in 2019.
Processing information:

Processed by Richard Collier, Aug. 2022;

Accessions described in this collection guide: 2019-0130.

Arrangement:

Arranged alphabetically.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Subjects

Click on terms below to find related finding aids on this site. For other related materials in the Duke University Libraries, search for these terms in the Catalog.

Subjects:
Consumer education
Consumer advocacy
consumer protection
Names:
John W. Hartman Center for Sales, Advertising & Marketing History
Masters, Dexter

Contents

Using These Materials

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials


Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the Rubenstein Library's Citations, Permissions, and Copyright guide.

Before you visit:
Please consult our up-to-date information for visitors page, as our services and guidelines periodically change.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Consumer Reports. Dexter Masters papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.