Thomas E. Scheuer papers, 1965-1970

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Summary

Creator:
Scheuer, Thomas E., 1932-1999
Abstract:
Thomas E. Scheuer (1932-1999) served as Senior Editor with the National Association of Broadcasters' Code Authority division in New York from 1960-1965. Collection consists of correspondence and reports that document Scheuer's career with the NAB Code Authority. Correspondence relates to auditing and editing television commercial scripts for compliance with the broadcasting code, including: disparaging remarks or insinuations regarding competitor products; fact checking claims in advertising copy; images of consumption of drugs or alcohol; and the status and propriety of endorsements and testimonial advertising. The collection also includes 16mm films of commercials for the Drackett Company's drain cleaning product Plunge creating by the Grey Advertising agency. Acquired as part of the John W. Hartman Center for Sales, Advertising & Marketing History.
Extent:
1.25 Linear Feet
Language:
Materials in English.
Collection ID:
RL.13127

Background

Scope and content:

Collection consists of correspondence and reports that document Scheuer's career with the NAB Code Authority. Correspondence relates to auditing and editing television commercial scripts for compliance with the broadcasting code, including: disparaging remarks or insinuations regarding competitor products; fact checking claims in advertising copy; images of consumption of drugs or alcohol; and the status and propriety of endorsements and testimonial advertising. The collection also includes 16mm films of commercials for the Drackett Company's drain cleaning product Plunge creating by the Grey Advertising agency.

Biographical / historical:

Thomas E. Scheuer served as Senior Editor with the National Association of Broadcasters' Code Authority division in New York from 19602-1965. Thomas was born April 5, 1932 and educated at Ohio University (Sociology, 1952). He worked as a radio/television traffic supervisor at Donohue & Coe (1957-1959); administrative assistant with Dancer Fitzgerald Sample agency (1959-1962); broadcast standards editor with the National Broadcassting System (1962-1965); and as senior editor for the National Association of Broadcasters Code Authority (1965-1970). After leaving the NAB, Scheuer became involved in outdoor and volunteer activities around the New Paltz, N.Y. area, serving as a ranger at the Mohonk Preserve. Known to acquaintances as "Thom". Scheuer died in New Paltz on April 16, 1999.

Source: Ancestry.com viewed March 28, 2024; communication with Kif Scheuer dated March 27, 2025.

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) is a trade association serving the radio and television industries. It was founded in Chicago in 1923 as the National Association of Radio Broadcasters and adopted its current name in 1958. It is currently headquartered in Washington, D.C. The Code Authority was established to regulate, audit and enforce the NAB's code of practice for broadcasters that set ethical guidelines for language and behavior in broadcast media. Court challenges forced the NAB to suspend its Codes in 1976 and in 1983 the Code was fully eliminated and each broadcast entity assumed responsibility for self-regulating its practices. In 1990 the NAB issued a set of voluntary broadcast standards and practices.

Source: Wikipedia viewed March 28, 2025.

Acquisition information:
The Thomas E. Scheuer papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a gift from Kif Scheuer in 2024.
Processing information:

Processed by Richard Collier, Mar. 2025;

Accessions described in this collection guide: 2024-0178.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

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Restrictions:

Access note. Collection contains fragile audiovisual formats that may need to be reformatted before use. Contact Research Services for access.

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.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Thomas E. Scheuer papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.

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