The research reports were produced by the museum beginning in 1953 for the purpose of developing and elaborating its exhibits and interpretations. They were prepared by a permanent research staff and by participants in the Hagley Fellowship Program, administered jointly with the University of Delaware, many of whom went on to distinguished careers in the history of technology and business. The reports were produced from manuscript and secondary sources at the Hagley Museum and Library. They have the advantage of collecting and condensing information on selected topics relating to the industrial history of the Brandywine Valley and providing tracings back to the original sources. The research reports also include scholarly articles that use Hagley's collections or about subjects that pertain to Hagley's mission.