Thomas Lamb (1896-1988) was an industrial designer most noted for his design of physiologically efficient handles. Marc Harrison (1936-1998) was an industrial designer and pioneer of Universal Design. Harrison taught at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), where he became instrumental in establishing the Division of Architecture and Design. In the early 1960s, while wandering through a restaurant supply company, Harrison came across a set of knives designed by Thomas Lamb. Harrison was so impressed by the knives' designs that he became determined to meet Lamb. Harrison arranged an introduction through a mutual friend. Harrison and Lamb became lifelong friends and colleagues. This collection consists of Marc Harrison's compilation of photographs, articles, drawings, and research by and about Thomas Lamb that document Lamb's industrial design career. Harrison kept these papers at the Industrial Design Department at RISD and potentially used them in his teaching.

Consists of Harrison's business papers including correspondence, reports, promotional materials, product literature, publications, and project files. The series traces Harrison's work on what became known as Universal Design, the designing of products for users of all abilities.