Ted Nelson collection of technology ephemera, 1960s-1990s

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Summary

Creators:
Nelson, Theodor H.
Abstract:
Catalogs and other promotional material, mostly concerning electronics, mostly from the 1960s and 70s.
Extent:
20 Linear Feet (41 boxes)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[identification of item], Ted Nelson collection of technology ephemera (M2324). Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford Libraries, Stanford, Calif.

Background

Scope and content:

Ted Nelson, often referred to as the "father of hypertext," has a long history in the field of computing. This collection primarily contains mailed promotional material in the form of catalogs and advertisements, much of which was requested by Nelson via reader service cards in trade magazines from the 1960s through the early 1990s. Brochures and fact sheets were also collected at trade shows and conferences and there are many programs and fliers from seminars, workshops, and conferences. Much of the collection consists of direct mail advertising. Light correspondence accompanies many catalogs; there is also a folder of more substantial communication. The majority of files involve electronics, information technology, office management, science, industrial manufacturing, and related fields. The material was broadly sorted according to subject, although there is considerable overlap.

Please note that the collection had been stored under less than ideal circumstances and there is ample evidence of water damage. Moldy items have been disposed of, but the collection is still quite musty overall. Prior to receipt at Stanford, most or all of the collection has been scanned by the Internet Archive and is available for viewing here: https://archive.org/details/tednelsonjunkmail

Acquisition information:
Gift of Ted Nelson, 2018. Accession MSS 2018-116.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for research. Note that material must be requested at least 36 hours in advance of intended use.

Terms of access:

While Special Collections is the owner of the physical and digital items, permission to examine collection materials is not an authorization to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. Any transmission or reproduction beyond that allowed by fair use requires permission from the owners of rights, heir(s) or assigns.

Preferred citation:

[identification of item], Ted Nelson collection of technology ephemera (M2324). Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford Libraries, Stanford, Calif.

Location of this collection:
Department of Special Collections, Green Library
557 Escondido Mall
Stanford, CA 94305-6004, US
Contact:
(650) 725-1022
specialcollections@stanford.edu
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