Call Number:

503

Repository:

Science History Institute Archives

Extent:

.01 linear feet (1 folder)

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Item Description, Beckman Foundation Founding Documents, 1950-1971, Science History Institute Archives, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Date:

1950-1971 (inclusive)

Abstract:

A collection of documents related to the founding of the Beckman Foundation, including incorporation history, bylaws, and meeting minutes.

Beckman Instruments was a scientific instruments company founded by Arnold O. Beckman in 1935. Initially named National Technical Laboratories, it was one of the largest manufacturers of scientific instruments in the United States. Beckman founded Beckman Instruments while he was a member of the faculty at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). Beckman Instruments' first product was an "acidimeter", later renamed to pH meter. The product was designed for a former classmate of Beckman's who used it to determine the acidity of lemons. The pH meter later became an indispensable tool for analytic chemists. After the success of the pH meter, Beckman Instruments would go on to innovate ultraviolet and infrared spectrophotometers. Beckman's company still exists today, now called Beckman Coulter, Inc., and manufactures biomedical instruments.

Arnold Beckman and his wife Mabel founded the Beckman Foundation in September 1977 to support science research. They founded five research centers at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Campaign, City of Hope, Caltech, Stanford University, and the University of California, Irvine.

This collection consists of documents related to the founding of the Beckman Foundation. The documents are held in a binder and divided by sections. These sections include Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws, Members' Minutes, and Directors' Minutes. The documents reflect the early work taken to set up the Beckman Foundation, as well as its early bylaws and structure.