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.