Consumer Reports. Oral history project records, 1932-2016 and undated, bulk 1969-1989
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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. The oral history project was organized by Sybil Shainwald and the staff of the Center for the Study of Consumer Movements (CSCM) to capture reminiscences of senior Consumers Union staff and others active in the consumer movement. The collection includes articles and clippings; audiocassettes; biographical sketches, lectures, speeches, and other background information; correspondence and memoranda; prject procedures and guidelines; prospective interviewee and contact lists; transcripts of recordings; workflow and legal release forms and other materials that document the establishment and operation of the oral history project. Interviewees include A.J Isserman; Arthur Kallet; Colston E. Warne; Edward Brecher; Edward Reich; Esther Peterson; Florence Mason; Henry Harap; Irving Michelson; Leland Gordon; Monte Florman; Paul Kern; Sidney Shainwald; Sybil Shainwald; and William L. Nunn. Acquired as part of the John W. Hartman Center for Sales, Advertising & Marketing History.
- Extent:
- 10.0 Linear Feet
- Language:
- Materials are in English.
- Collection ID:
- RL.11951
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The collection includes articles and clippings; audiocassettes; biographical sketches, lectures, speeches, and other background information; correspondence and memoranda; prject procedures and guidelines; prospective interviewee and contact lists; transcripts of recordings; workflow and legal release forms and other materials that document the establishment and operation of the oral history project. Interviewees include A.J Isserman; Arthur Kallet; Colston E. Warne; Edward Brecher; Edward Reich; Esther Peterson; Florence Mason; Henry Harap; Irving Michelson; Leland Gordon; Monte Florman; Paul Kern; Sidney Shainwald; Sybil Shainwald; and William L. Nunn.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Consumer Reports is a product testing and consumer advocacy nonprofit organization based in Yonkers, N.Y., founded in 1936. The oral history project was organized by Sybil Shainwald and the staff of the Center for the Study of Consumer Movements (CSCM) to capture reminiscences of senior Consumers Union staff and others active in the consumer movement. The project received Board of Directors' approval in 1972, coinciding with the establishment of the CSCM and Consumers Union's 35th anniversary activities. The bulk of the interviews were conducted between 1972 and 1977 with some follow-up interviews conducted into the 1980s. The project idea was revisited sporadically during the 1990s and 2000s.
- Acquisition information:
- The Consumer Reports. Oral history project records were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a gift in 2019.
- Processing information:
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Processed by Kristina Thomas, November, 2021
Accessions described in this collection guide: 2019-0130
- Arrangement:
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Organized into the following series: Project records; Transcripts and related materials; Interview tapes.
- 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 advocacy
Consumer education
consumer protection - Format:
- Oral histories (document genre)
Oral history interviews - Names:
- John W. Hartman Center for Sales, Advertising & Marketing History
Warne, Colston E. (Colston Estey), 1900-1987
Brecher, Edward M.
Reich, Edward, 1903-1983
Peterson, Esther, 1906-1997
Mason, Florence
Harap, Henry, 1893-
Michelson, Irving
Gordon, Leland James, 1897-
Florman, Monte
Kern, Paul
Shainwald, Sidney
Shainwald, Sybil
Nunn, William
Contents
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Using These Materials
- Restrictions:
-
Collection is restricted. Access note. Collection contains fragile audiovisual formats that may need to be reformatted before use. Contact Research Services for access.
- Terms of access:
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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.
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- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], Consumer Reports. Oral history project records, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.
- Permalink:
- https://idn.duke.edu/ark:/87924/m1kx7h