The Central Files series documents all major NAM initiatives until about 1970. Prior to its move to Washington, DC in 1974, NAM maintained files in a central location. The subseries and file order reflect how NAM maintained the files. It is arranged into fifty subseries according to subject headings created by NAM. The subject headings are denoted by a subject code, 100-A through 100-ZZ and 200-A. Subject code 100-E, files related to Industrial Relations, were removed from the original run of files and can be found in Series XXV, Open Shop Department and Series XVII, Industrial Relations Department.

The subseries are: General files; Memoranda; Advertising; Promotion; Awards; Industrial Environment Division; Biographies; Inter-office bulletins; Business, Industry, Education Day (BIE Day); Chamber of Commerce; International Labor Organization (ILO); Charters; Government Relations Division — Government finance; NAM policy committees; Conventions; Corporate records; Financial records; Education Department; Free enterprise; Films; International Conference of Manufacturers; Science and Technology Department; Council for Latin America; Inflation; Insurance; International Affairs Division; La Follette Committee; Lobbying; Program Planning Division; Conferences, meetings — other than NAM; Membership; Toland, Lt. Ben; Reports; Organizations, foundations, and associations; Personnel; Positions; Public information — public relations; Publications; Radio and TV; Releases; Religion (clergy-industry); Research; Speeches; Taxes; United Nations; United States government; Women’s clubs; National Industrial Council (NIC); Market Development/Distribution Department; and Urban affairs.

This series should be used in conjunction with individual departments series.

L. Robert Oaks (1906-1981) worked for the National Association of Manufacturers for eighteen years, directing its audiovisual programs. This collection contains some of his papers from his tenure and includes NAM News, films, speeches, motion picture bulletins, pamphlets, scripts, and more general information about NAM.

The Motion Picture Department was part of the Public Relations Division. L. Robert Oaks (1906-1981) was the director of the Motion Picture Department from 1949 through at least 1953, and by 1958 he was assistant to the director of Radio, TV and Film, Public Relations. The motion picture program, which began in 1935, originally produced films for theaters that were then made available to special-interest groups. By the 1950s, the department produced, promoted, and distributed films for industry, schools, and community groups. Most films were under thirty minutes in length.

The records in this series pertain to the motion pictures produced by NAM and include correspondence, memos, scripts, promotional materials (such as posters, brochures, and press releases), resumes of cast members, news clippings, and story outlines. Other subject files include general information on such topics as distribution, early NAM films, and motion picture bulletins listing the NAM films available for rental. Some records in this series predate Oaks’s employment with the department. The series should be considered in conjunction with NAM Central Files (Series I) films.