Jump to Content

Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
Finding Aid for the Laura Scudder Papers 2010.10.r
2010.10.r  
View entire collection guide What's This?
Search this collection
Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Biographical/Historical note
  • Scope and Contents note
  • Arrangement note
  • Conditions Governing Access note
  • Conditions Governing Use note
  • Preferred Citation note

  • Title: Laura Scudder Papers
    Identifier/Call Number: 2010.10.r
    Contributing Institution: Frank Mt. Pleasant Library of Special Collections and Archives, Leatherby Libraries
    One University Drive
    Orange, CA, 92866
    (714) 532 - 7711
    rboyd@chapman.edu
    Language of Material: English
    Physical Description: 17.0 Linear feet (18 boxes, 9 framed photos, 50 video tapes, 8 film canisters, 1 sign, enamel, "blue bird")
    Date (inclusive): 1890-1959
    General Physical Description note: Some of the ephemera is in a fragile state and a few of the photographs are damaged.
    Abstract: The Laura Scudder Papers consists of personal and business material relating to businesswoman Laura Scudder and her company.
    Location note: Leatherby Libraries

    Biographical/Historical note

    Laura Clough Scudder (1881-1959) was an entrepreneur in Monterey Park, California, who made and sold potato chips and who pioneered the packaging of potato chips in sealed bags to extend freshness. Born in Philadelphia, Laura married Charles Scudder and worked as a nurse before moving to California. While there she became the first female attorney in Ukiah, California before moving to south Monterey Park, where she started her food company in 1926.
    Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laura_Scudder, on July 26, 2010.

    Scope and Contents note

    This collection consists of 22 document boxes containing personal and business correspondance, photos, home movies, newspaper articles, ads, clippings and ephemera pertaining to Laura Scudder's personal life, family and business.
    Of particular interest are the original potato chip bags made of wax paper, the desing of which Scudder pioneered to keep chips fresh, and samples of original shipping boxes. Also, the many family vacation photographs, which show famous world locations and places in California from the 1890's to the 1950's. There are also many business letters and memos which give an intimate look at how Scudder Foods grew and was managed during its time of operation.

    Arrangement note

    These papers were arranged, when possible, according to the original order in which the material was received.

    Conditions Governing Access note

    This collection is open for research.

    Conditions Governing Use note

    There are no restrictions on the use of this material.

    Preferred Citation note

    [identify item], Laura Scudder Papers (2010.10.r), Frank Mt. Pleasant Library of Special Collections and Archives, Chapman University, CA.

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    Scudder, Laura, 1881-1959
    Business Women, Food industry and trade -- California -- History.
    California -- History -- 1850-1950.
    Food Industry and trade -- California -- Los Angeles.
    Potato chip industry -- United States -- History.