SIA announces the on-line publication of the finding aid to records of the Science Service, 1902-1965 (SIA Record Unit 7091).

Science Service, a not-for-profit institution founded to increase and improve the public dissemination of scientific and technical information, began its work in 1921. Although initially intended as a news service, Science Service produced an extensive array of news features, radio programs, motion pictures, phonograph records, and demonstration kits and it also engaged in various educational, translation, and research activities. It survives today in Science Service, Inc., an organization that publishes Science News and promotes science education.

The topics covered in RU 7091 include all fields of science and engineering, theoretical physics to bridge construction techniques, wildlife conservation to plastics and paints. There is considerable attention to social and economic issues and to military research and censorship during World War II. The staff visited museums, observatories, industrial test facilities, and military installations; they reported on most of the major scientific events of the time, including the Scopes trial. During the 1930s and 1940s, Science Service purchased news and photographs from official U.S.S.R. news offices and also supported efforts to interact with Soviet scientists. There were attempts to establish branch operations in England and France and to encourage science popularization and education in Mexico.

Treasures Found! While processing this collection, volunteers and staff discovered and described a wealth of information. Highlighted here are unpublished, candid photographs of Mahatma Gandhi, taken by Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru.