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Robert M. Ingersoll Papers

An inventory of his papers at Syracuse University

Overview of the Collection

Creator: Ingersoll, Robert.
Title: Robert M. Ingersoll Papers
Inclusive Dates: 1949-1954[?]
Quantity: 0.25 linear ft.
Abstract: Design work and miscellaneous biographical material, from the American industrial designer.
Language: English
Repository: Special Collections Research Center,
Syracuse University Libraries
222 Waverly Avenue
Syracuse, NY 13244-2010
https://library.syracuse.edu/special-collections-research-center

Biographical History

Robert M. Ingersoll (1924-?) was an American industrial designer. Born in Cooperstown, New York, he enrolled at Syracuse University (SU) in 1942 but left to serve in the Army Air Force during World War II (1942-1946). Following the war he returned to SU and received a B.A. in Industrial Design (1950). He worked as a technical illustrator for Warner New York Corporation and later as a design engineer for General Electric.

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Scope and Contents of the Collection

The Robert M. Ingersoll Papers consists of biographical material, design work, and a small amount of miscellaneous material, all dating from early in his career. Most focuses on product packaging and display.

Biographical material contains draft notes and several copies of Ingersoll's resume.

Design work includes two portfolios, one from his student days, as well as original and reproduction artwork.

Miscellaneous material includes, among other things, a letter of reference and notes on how to approach a design problem.

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Restrictions

Access Restrictions

The majority of our archival and manuscript collections are housed offsite and require advanced notice for retrieval. Researchers are encouraged to contact us in advance concerning the collection material they wish to access for their research.

Use Restrictions

Written permission must be obtained from SCRC and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.

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Related Material

Special Collections Research Center has extensive holdings related to plastics. Please search our collections to locate related manuscript collections, and refer to the Classic Catalog to locate published material.

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Subject Headings

Persons

Ingersoll, Robert M.

Corporate Bodies

Syracuse University -- Alumni and alumnae.

Subjects

Industrial design -- United States.
Industrial designers -- United States.
Packaging -- Design.

Genres and Forms

Blueprints (reprographic copies)
Correspondence.
Essays.
Photographs.
Sketches.

Occupations

Industrial designers.

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Robert M. Ingersoll Papers,
Special Collections Research Center,
Syracuse University Libraries

Acquisition Information

Purchase, 2019.

Finding Aid Information

Created by: MRC
Date: 4 Jun 2019
Revision history:

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Inventory

Biographical material
Oversize 1 Resumés 1953 or 1954
Design work
Oversize 1 "Display - Exhibit" undated - skeches and drawings for displays and exhibit booths for various companies, including Western Electric, General Electric, and Gotham Hosiery; reproductions, no original art
Oversize 1 "Packaging Problem" portfolio December 12, 1949 - student work; includes several drawings and advertisements for consumer goods, with accompanying analysis of the efficiency and functionality of various bottle and package designs
Oversize 1 "Industrial Design Problem Developments" portfolio undated - problem statements, photographs, blueprints of drawings
Oversize 1 Sketches, original undated
Miscellaneous
Oversize 1 Notes, etc. undated - includes letter of recommendation from John F. Cortese, Ingersoll's manager at Warner New York, and Ingersoll's handwritten notes on how he approached design problems.

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