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John T. Diebold scrapbooks

Notifications

Held at: Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College [Contact Us]500 College Avenue, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania 19081

This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.

Overview and metadata sections

Call Number:
RG6.R3.002
Repository:
Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College
Extent:
40 linear ft. (89 volumes)
Language:
English
Preferred Citation:
[Indicate the cited item or series here], John T. Diebold scrapbooks, RG6/R3/002, Swarthmore College Archives, Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College.
Date:
1880-1999 (inclusive) and 1937-1999 (bulk)
Creator:
Diebold, John, 1926-2005
Abstract:
The American businessman John T. Diebold, founder of the Diebold Group, Inc. and author of the management classic Automation, was a graduate of Swarthmore College (class of 1949). This collection consists of 89 scrapbooks carefully constructed by Diebold to document his life and the major events of his business career and personal life.

Born June 8, 1926 in Weehawken, New Jersey, John T. Diebold was an American businessman best-known for his pioneering 1952 work Automation. He was the founder of the Diebold Group, Inc. (originally John Diebold & Associates), which advised private companies and several governments on adapting to changes in technology, and was considered the "father of automation."

After graduating from Weehawken High School, Diebold attended Swarthmore College. Prompted by the attack on Pearl Harbor and the United States' entry into World War II, Diebold took a leave of absence from Swarthmore from 1944 to 1946 and earned a BS in engineering from the Merchant Marines. Upon returning to Swarthmore, Diebold graduated with a BA in economics with high honors. In 1951, he graduated from Harvard Business School with distinction.

Using connections gained over the course of business school, Diebold researched and wrote Automation during the year following his graduation from Harvard Business School. It was published in 1952 by Van Nostrand. Automation accurately predicted the increasing prominence of technology in business and labor concerns and is still referenced today as a "management classic." Following the success of Automation, Diebold founded John Diebold & Associates in 1954 to provide consulting services to private companies struggling to integrate new technologies into their business models. Within five years of its founding, Diebold & Associates had expanded across the United States and into Europe. The firm was soon renamed the Diebold Group, Inc.

Diebold continued to manage the Diebold Group, Inc. until its sale in 1991 to Daimler-Benz. During his nearly forty years as Chief Executive Director, he founded several subsidiary companies meant to encourage technological advancement. Among these were the Diebold Research Program, the Diebold Technology Venture Fund, Inc., and Diebold Computer Leasing, Inc. Diebold also served on numerous committees and advisory councils during his tenure as CED, including the President's Committee of the U.S. Department of Labor, the Peace Corps Advisory Council, the Council on Foreign Relations, the American Council on Germany, the Atlantic Conference and the National Committee on US-China Relations.

John T. Diebold died in 2005.

The American businessman John T. Diebold, founder of the Diebold Group, Inc. and author of the management classic Automation, was the owner of an extensive scrapbook collection. Comprising 89 volumes and covering the period before Diebold's birth (approximately 1880 to 1926) to 1999, Diebold's carefully constructed scrapbooks document his life and the major events of his business career and personal life.

The scrapbooks contain an assortment of photographs (taken by Diebold himself with his often-referenced "Minox" as well as by professional photographers); newspaper articles relevant to Diebold's work; conference papers and meeting notes; dinner invitations, seating arrangements and menus; holiday greeting cards; expressions of thanks and sympathy; playbills; postcards; drawings from Diebold's children; tea and wine labels; and honorary degrees and other awards. Diebold divided his collection into several major themes, the most prominent being "Growth of Group" (1962-1967), "John Diebold Incorporated" (1967-1971), "Time of Transition" (1971-1975), "A New Phase" (1975-1987), "New Directions" (1992-1995) and "The Diebold Institute" (1996-1999).

The scrapbooks are bound in leather and cloth; most are in slipcovers.

Volume 45, on the topic of on "One East End Avenue" and consisting of photographs of Diebold's New York City apartment, documenting refurbishments undertaken in the 1960s-1970s, has not been transferred to the Friends Historical Library and remains with the Diebold family.

This collection is arranged by volume number as assigned by the creator (John T. Diebold), which is also chronological order.

Volume 45, on the topic of on "One East End Avenue" and consisting of photographs of Diebold's New York City apartment, documenting refurbishments undertaken in the 1960s-1970s, has not been transferred to the Friends Historical Library. At the time of the initial donation, two additional volumes were planned (vol. 90 on "The Diebold Institute, 2000-" and vol. 91 on "Cassiobury" (Diebold's estate)) but these scrapbooks were never created.

This collection is on permanent deposit from John T. Diebold and Joanne Lambert.

People
Organization
Subject

Publisher
Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College
Finding Aid Author
Hazlett Henderson and Celia Caust-Ellenbogen
Finding Aid Date
2017
Access Restrictions

For 20 years from receipt (2004-2024), prospective researchers must make application to Swarthmore College. Diebold family members will be granted access, but other researchers may be restricted.

After 2024, this collection is available for access without restriction.

Use Restrictions

Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce items in this collection beyond the bounds of Fair Use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College which holds the copyright. See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/.

Collection Inventory

Archival Resource Key. Family, 1880-1926.
Volume 0
Scope and Contents

Photographs of family members before John's birth.

Archival Resource Key. Childhood, 1916-1937.
Volume 1
Scope and Contents

Photographs, school materials and some family history.

Archival Resource Key. European Trip, 1937.
Volume 2
Scope and Contents

Records of stays in Mussolini's Italy, Spain in the beginning of its civil war, Nazi Germany, etc.

Archival Resource Key. Youth, 1937-1944.
Volume 3
Scope and Contents

Memorabilia of youth (photographs and commentary), and beginning of Swarthmore career.

Archival Resource Key. Kings Point, 1944-1946.
Volume 4
Scope and Contents

Records of years in Merchant Marines (earning BS degree in engineering).

Archival Resource Key. Swarthmore College, 1947-1949.
Volume 5
Scope and Contents

Some records of participation in honors program, social activities.

Archival Resource Key. Harvard Business School, 1949-1951.
Volume 6
Scope and Contents

Records of editing Harvard Business School yearbook, mother's death, commencement.

Archival Resource Key. Early Business Years I, 1951-1955.
Volume 7
Scope and Contents

Includes first responses to Automation.

Archival Resource Key. Early Business Years II, 1955-1957.
Volume 8
Scope and Contents

Expansion of business, acquisition of other firms.

Archival Resource Key. Early Business Years III, 1957-1961.
Volume 9
Scope and Contents

Further expansion into Europe and Oregon, training courses, speeches.

Archival Resource Key. European Trip, 1961.
Volume 10
Scope and Contents

Detailed account of European business trip (one of many).

Archival Resource Key. Growth of Group I, 1962-1963.
Volume 11
Scope and Contents

Appointment to United States Department of Labor President's Committee, named one of ten outstanding young men by U.S. Junior Department of Commerce.

Archival Resource Key. Growth of Group II, 1964.
Volume 12
Scope and Contents

Founding of Diebold Research Program.

Archival Resource Key. Growth of Group III, 1965.
Volume 13
Scope and Contents

Further development.

Archival Resource Key. Growth of Group IV, 1966.
Volume 14
Scope and Contents

Appointment to Peace Corps Advisory Council.

Archival Resource Key. Growth of Group V, 1966-1967.
Volume 15
Scope and Contents

Interview by Walter Cronkite. Many photographs of business trips.

Archival Resource Key. Growth of Group VI, 1967.
Volume 16
Scope and Contents

Photographs of business trips and daughter Joan (age 6).

Archival Resource Key. John Diebold Incorporated I, 1967.
Volume 17
Scope and Contents

Activation of John Diebold Inc., Diebold becomes member of Council on Foreign Relations.

Archival Resource Key. John Diebold Incorporated II, 1967.
Volume 18
Scope and Contents

Includes record (physical) of an interview with Harry Reasoner.

Archival Resource Key. John Diebold Incorporated III, 1968.
Volume 19
Scope and Contents

Founding of Diebold Technology Venture Fund, Inc.

Archival Resource Key. John Diebold Incorporated IV, 1968.
Volume 20
Scope and Contents

Public offering of Diebold Computer Leasing, Inc. Visit with King Hussein of Jordan.

Archival Resource Key. John Diebold Incorporated V, 1969.
Volume 21
Scope and Contents

Includes investiture as a knight of Malta.

Archival Resource Key. John Diebold Incorporated VI, 1969.
Volume 22
Scope and Contents

Includes ephemera from a dinner at the White House.

Archival Resource Key. John Diebold Incorporated VII, 1969.
Volume 23
Scope and Contents

Includes a record (physical) of a Diebold speech, released by the Listening Library.

Archival Resource Key. John Diebold Incorporated VIII, 1969.
Volume 24
Scope and Contents

Many holiday greeting cards.

Archival Resource Key. John Diebold Incorporated IX, 1970.
Volume 25
Scope and Contents

Attended American Council on Germany.

Archival Resource Key. John Diebold Incorporated X, 1970.
Volume 26
Scope and Contents

Receipt of Grand Cross of Republic of Panama. Ephemera from dinner with Senator Edward Kennedy.

Archival Resource Key. John Diebold Incorporated XI, 1970.
Volume 27
Scope and Contents

Expansion of Diebold Europe, more holiday greeting cards.

Archival Resource Key. John Diebold Incorporated XII, 1971.
Volume 28
Scope and Contents

Two Diebold companies listed in American Stock Exchange within one month.

Archival Resource Key. Awards and Decorations, 1971.
Volume 29
Scope and Contents

Catalog of Diebold's awards, recognitions and honorary degrees (to 1971).

Archival Resource Key. Collection of Signed Photographs.
Volume 30
Scope and Contents

Includes signatures of Presidents Richard Nixon, John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson.

Archival Resource Key. Time of Transition I, 1971.
Volume 31
Scope and Contents

Ephemera from dinner with Henry Kissinger.

Archival Resource Key. Time of Transition II, 1971.
Volume 32
Scope and Contents

Includes photographs from annual autumn Europe trip.

Archival Resource Key. Time of Transition III, 1971-1972.
Volume 33
Scope and Contents

Many holiday greeting cards.

Archival Resource Key. Time of Transition IV, 1972.
Volume 34
Scope and Contents

Business as usual.

Archival Resource Key. Time of Transition V, 1972.
Volume 35
Scope and Contents

2nd Atlantic Conference - attended as member of Steering Committee and author of working paper.

Archival Resource Key. China Trip, 1972.
Volume 36
Scope and Contents

Trip as Vice Chariman of National Committee on US-China Relations.

Archival Resource Key. Time of Transition VI, 1973.
Volume 37
Scope and Contents

Includes invitation to Richard Nixon's inauguration.

Archival Resource Key. Time of Transition VII, 1973.
Volume 38
Scope and Contents

Acting Vice-Chairman of United Nations Ambassadors dinner.

Archival Resource Key. Time of Transition VIII, 1974.
Volume 39
Scope and Contents

Conference notes and photographs, dinner invitations.

Archival Resource Key. Time of Transition IX, 1974.
Volume 40
Scope and Contents

More conference notes and photographs, dinner invitations.

Archival Resource Key. Time of Transition X, 1975.
Volume 41
Scope and Contents

More conference notes and photographs, dinner invitations.

Archival Resource Key. Time of Transition XI, 1975.
Volume 42
Scope and Contents

Many appearances by Barbara Walters.

Archival Resource Key. Time of Transition XII, 1975.
Volume 43
Scope and Contents

Photographs and dinner invitations.

Archival Resource Key. Wines.
Volume 44
Scope and Contents

Labels of wine, champagne, sherry and brandy bottles.

Archival Resource Key. A New Phase I, 1975-1976.
Volume 46
Scope and Contents

Includes address to British Parliament.

Archival Resource Key. A New Phase II, 1976.
Volume 47
Scope and Contents

Ephemera from German government's celebration of United States bicentennial in Frankfurt, at which an attempt on Diebold's life was made.

Archival Resource Key. A New Phase III, 1976.
Volume 48
Scope and Contents

Many pictures of daughter Joan, celebration of 50th birthday.

Archival Resource Key. A New Phase IV, 1976.
Volume 49
Scope and Contents

Signatures of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter.

Archival Resource Key. A New Phase V, 1976-1977.
Volume 50
Scope and Contents

Holiday greeting cards, vacation photographs.

Archival Resource Key. A New Phase VI, 1977.
Volume 51
Scope and Contents

Launching of Diebold Corporate Issues Program.

Archival Resource Key. A New Phase VII, 1977.
Volume 52
Scope and Contents

Photographs of business trips, dinner invitations, holiday greeting cards.

Archival Resource Key. A New Phase VIII, 1978.
Volume 53
Scope and Contents

More photographs of business trips, dinner invitations and layouts.

Archival Resource Key. A New Phase IX, 1978.
Volume 54
Scope and Contents

More photographs of business trips, dinner invitations and layouts.

Archival Resource Key. A New Phase X, 1978.
Volume 55
Scope and Contents

More photographs of business trips, dinner invitations and layouts, holiday greeting cards.

Archival Resource Key. A New Phase XI, 1979.
Volume 56
Scope and Contents

25th anniversary of Diebold Group.

Archival Resource Key. A New Phase XII, 1979.
Volume 57
Scope and Contents

30th reunion at Swarthmore College, visit with the Dalai Lama in New York.

Archival Resource Key. A New Phase XIII, 1979.
Volume 58
Scope and Contents

Daughter Joan visits Swarthmore.

Archival Resource Key. A New Phase XIV, 1980.
Volume 59
Scope and Contents

Photographs of business trips, birthdays, meetings.

Archival Resource Key. A New Phase XV, 1980.
Volume 60
Scope and Contents

Ephemera from America's cup race (observed onboard a participating boat), awarded Distinguished Information Science Award.

Archival Resource Key. Mann in Eile, 1980.
Volume 61
Scope and Contents

Record of filming and screening of German documentary on Diebold ("Man in a Hurry").

Archival Resource Key. A New Phase XVI, 1981.
Volume 62
Scope and Contents

Visited Ascot as guest of prince and princess.

Archival Resource Key. A New Phase XVII, 1981.
Volume 63
Scope and Contents

Record of death of Hans-Jeurgin Schwab, manager of John Diebold Deutschland.

Archival Resource Key. A New Phase XVIII, 1981-1982.
Volume 64
Scope and Contents

Meeting photographs, holiday greeting cards.

Archival Resource Key. A New Phase XIX, 1982.
Volume 65
Scope and Contents

Wedding to Vanessa VonderPorten.

Archival Resource Key. A New Phase XX, 1982.
Volume 66
Scope and Contents

30th anniversary of Automation. Publication of The Role of Business in Society.

Archival Resource Key. A New Phase XXI, 1982-1983.
Volume 67
Scope and Contents

Holiday greeting cards, meeting photographs, etc.

Archival Resource Key. A New Phase XXII, 1983.
Volume 68
Scope and Contents

Business trip records: photographs, written materials.

Archival Resource Key. A New Phase XXIII, 1983-1984.
Volume 69
Scope and Contents

Business trip memorabilia, holiday greeting cards.

Archival Resource Key. A New Phase XXIV, 1984.
Volume 70
Scope and Contents

Publication of Making the Future Work.

Archival Resource Key. A New Phase XXV, 1984-1985.
Volume 71
Scope and Contents

Signature and photograph of Ronald Reagan.

Archival Resource Key. A New Phase XXVI, 1985.
Volume 72
Scope and Contents

Vanessa's pregnancy, more business publications.

Archival Resource Key. A New Phase XXVII, 1985.
Volume 73
Scope and Contents

Baby pictures, ephemera from dinner with Gloria Steinem.

Archival Resource Key. A New Phase XVIII, 1986.
Volume 74
Scope and Contents

Several meetings of Council on Foreign Relations.

Archival Resource Key. A New Phase XXIX, 1986.
Volume 75
Scope and Contents

Photographs of meetings and baby (daughter Emma).

Archival Resource Key. A New Phase XXX, 1986-1987.
Volume 76
Scope and Contents

Feature article on Diebold in Managing Automation (April 1987).

Archival Resource Key. A New Phase XXXI, 1987.
Volume 77
Scope and Contents

Includes program from Bayard Rustin's funeral service.

Archival Resource Key. Maturation of Group I, 1987-1988.
Volume 78
Scope and Contents

Birth of baby John Diebold.

Archival Resource Key. Maturation of Group II, 1989.
Volume 79
Scope and Contents

Includes feature piece on Diebold in Business section of the New York Times.

Archival Resource Key. Maturation of Group III, 1990.
Volume 80
Scope and Contents

Publication of The Innovators.

Archival Resource Key. Sale of Group, 1991.
Volume 81
Scope and Contents

Record of sale of Diebold Group.

Archival Resource Key. New Directions I, 1992.
Volume 82
Scope and Contents

Receipt of honorary degree in engineering from Lehigh University.

Archival Resource Key. New Directions II, 1993.
Volume 83
Scope and Contents

Family photographs and holiday greeting cards.

Archival Resource Key. New Directions III, 1994.
Volume 84
Scope and Contents

Includes photographs of daughter Joan's wedding.

Archival Resource Key. New Directions IV, 1995.
Volume 85
Scope and Contents

Family photographs, holiday greeting cards, business meeting and conference ephemera.

Archival Resource Key. The Diebold Institute I, 1996.
Volume 86
Scope and Contents

More family photographs, holiday greeting cards and business ephemera.

Archival Resource Key. The Diebold Institute II, 1997.
Volume 87
Scope and Contents

More family photographs, holiday greeting cards and business ephemera.

Archival Resource Key. The Diebold Institute III, 1998.
Volume 88
Scope and Contents

More family photographs, holiday greeting cards and business ephemera.

Archival Resource Key. The Diebold Institute IV, 1999.
Volume 89
Scope and Contents

Includes photographs from 50th reunion at Swarthmore College.

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