Nov 01, 2016 - Sale 2428

Sale 2428 - Lot 174

Price Realized: $ 375
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 400 - $ 600
PUNCH CARD INDEX: PRECURSOR TO LINKEDIN ROOSEVELT, FRANKLIN D. Typed Letter Signed, as President, to Director of the National Roster of Scientific and Specialized Personnel Leonard Carmichael, concerning a punch-card index of American scientists. 1 page, 4to, White House stationery; pin holes at upper left corner, horizontal fold. With the original envelope. Washington, 16 January 1941

Additional Details

"Many thanks for your thoughtfulness in sending me that very interesting questionnaire. I am very glad to know of the practical way in which you are building a punch-card index to America's scientists and specialized personnel. It is gratifying to hear that it is working out so well."
In 1940, the National Resources Planning Board established a plan to create the National Roster of Scientific and Specialized Personnel whose primary purpose was to improve the efficiency of the recruitment of specialists for war research. The agency has been transferred to various departments and modified over the years, eventually becoming integrated into the National Science Foundation's National Register of Scientific and Technical Personnel in 1952.