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Category: Technical Reports and Standards

Opening Access to the Office of Scientific Research and Development

Posted by: Sean Bryant

The Library of Congress Science Reference Section and Technical Reports Section are creating an open access collection of Office of Scientific Research and Development (OSRD) materials, which have previously been accessible only onsite. The collection starts with material from two of the OSRD’s administrative divisions, Division 12: Transportation and Division 16: Optics & Camouflage. Information on topics such as amphibious vehicle studies, DUKW design, bridge, ponton and ferry designs and much more, can be found in reports in Division 12 (Transportation). The Optics/ Camouflage (Division 16) collection includes reports on topics such as aerial photography, camouflage applications, periscopes and other optical instruments.

Prospector with a 5 o'clock shadow, mustache and pipe, who has dropped his pickaxe for a geiger counter.

Prospecting for Uranium

Posted by: Natalie Burclaff

The United States Atomic Energy Commission started an effort in 1947 to identify and develop domestic sources of uranium for purposes of national security, putting out advertisements and offering financial incentives, which created a uranium rush of those hoping to strike it rich.

Black and White photograph Signing of the Japanese surrender document aboard the U.S.S. “Missouri” in Tokyo Bay, Sept. 2, 1945.

Historical Science Collections from WWII to the Postwar Period

Posted by: Jennifer Harbster

During the World War II, the countries involved pushed to advance scientific, technological and medical (STM) research for the war effort. The Library of Congress houses substantial material of original photos, reports, correspondence and manuscripts on scientific, technological and medical research conducted by the United States, Nazi Germany, Imperialist Japan and Fascist Italy

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Office of Scientific Research and Development Collections

Posted by: Nate Smith

The materials from the Office of Scientific Research and Development represent original research conducted by the Allies during World War II. The tens of thousands of items in the Library's OSRD collection include technical reports, drawings, memos, medical research results, and other documents that were either in the open literature or have since been declassified.

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Fifty Years of Flight: L’Aérophile Collection

Posted by: Angel Vu

In the past, we have mentioned the L’Aérophile Collection in blog posts such as “Come Fly Away with Me, Courtesy of Wilbur and Orville” and “Flights of Fantasy and Fact: Man-made Wings in Literature and History.” However, there is much more to this collection. L’Aérophile Collection is devoted to the early years of aviation history …

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Upcoming Book Talk on May 14: Behind the Gas Mask

Posted by: Jennifer Harbster

The following post is authored by Mary Jane Cavallo, an  Automation Operations Coordinator for the Science, Technology and Business Division. Did you know that during World War I America suffered more casualties from poison gas than any other nation involved in the war? In his new book, Behind the Gas Mask: The U.S. Chemical Warfare …

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Five Questions (The Intern Edition): Camron T. Lee

Posted by: Jennifer Harbster

This post features the Library’s ST&B 2013 junior fellow Camron T. Lee from Utah State University. 1. What is your background I was born and raised in Utah. After graduating high school, I spent two years living in Japan and developed a passion for Japanese language, culture, and history. Since returning to the States, I …

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The U.S. National Flag: A Standard of Design

Posted by: Jennifer Harbster

Many of us associate July 4th, Independence Day, with barbecues, picnics and fireworks. But it is also the day when we proudly display the National Flag of the United States. We honor this day by flying Old Glory’s stars and stripes, draping our buildings with American Flag bunting, and outfitting our celebrations in red, white …

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Five Questions (The Intern Edition): Brian Horowitz

Posted by: Jennifer Harbster

1. What is your background?  I hail from Silver Spring, Maryland, about fifteen miles away from the Library. I currently attend Montgomery College where I am studying Psychology and Neuroscience. Before starting college I had the opportunity to live in Israel where I studied Jewish texts such as the Talmud. It was a once in …