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George Atwell Richardson papers

Creation: 1914-1959
 Collection
Accession: 1307

Abstract

George A. Richardson (1886-1976) was an engineer with an expertise in metallurgy. He spent his career primarily involved in technical publicity and sales for major steel manufacturers such as the Midvale Steel & Ordnance Company and Metallurgical Laboratories, Inc. (METLAB). These records consist primarily of materials collected by Richardson during the performance of his official duties with the steel companies, in preparing technical lectures and papers, and in teaching courses in metallurgy.

Dates

  • Creation: 1914-1959

Creator

Extent

1 Linear Foot

Biographical Note

George A. Richardson (1886-1976) was an engineer with an expertise in metallurgy. He spent his career primarily involved in technical publicity and sales for major steel manufacturers. Richardson graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1912 with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering. In 1913, he began working in the Sales Department at the Midvale Steel Company.

The Midvale Steel Company changed its name to the Midvale Steel & Ordnance Company in 1915, and Richardson became advertising manager. In 1916, Midvale Steel & Ordnance Company took control of the Cambria Steel Company of Johnstown, Pennsylvania. In 1923, both of these firms were acquired by the Bethlehem Steel Company. Richardson was the manager of the Technical Publicity Department of the Bethlehem Steel Company. Like many of Bethlehem's junior executives, he was furloughed during the Depression in 1933.

After 1933, Richardson acted as an independent consultant, developing and promoting metallurgical inventions. From 1938 until his retirement, he was sales manager for METLAB (Metallurgical Laboratories, Inc.) in Philadelphia. He taught metallurgy at Temple University between 1939 and 1949.

Richardson was the author of numerous technical articles and manuals. He was also an early amateur photographer. He was able to develop his talent to professional levels doing documentary photography to illustrate his lectures and publications on the steel industry. He was also interested in the history of the steel industry and of the Lehigh Valley, where he settled. He died in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, in 1976.

Scope and Contents

These records consist primarily of materials collected by Richardson during the performance of his official duties with the steel companies, in preparing technical lectures and papers, and in teaching courses in metallurgy.

The METLAB records (1939-1959) include sales promotion and advertising materials, sales records, and printed articles by the firm's president, Horace C. Knerr. Richardson's work for Midvale Steel is documented by correspondence; notes; and evaluations on iron and steel, analytical computations, notebooks, note cards, and advertisements (1914-1915). There is also extensive correspondence between Midvale and the Haynes Stellite Company of Kokomo, Indiana, regarding products, including sales figures and promotional materials (1914-1916).

Access Restrictions

This collection is open for research.

Related Materials

George Atwell Richardson photographs (Accession 1969.082), Audiovisual Collections and Digital Initiatives Department, Hagley Museum and Library.

Richardson's local history photograph collection depicting industrial sites in the Lehigh Valley is available at: Hugh Moore Historical Park and Museums, P.O. Box 877, Easton, Pa. 18042.

Language of Materials

English

Related Names

Subject

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title:
George Atwell Richardson papers
Description rules:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description:
English
Script of description:
Latin

Revision Statements

  • 2021: Laurie Sather

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Manuscripts and Archives Repository

Contact:
PO Box 3630
Wilmington Delaware 19807 USA
302-658-2400