Experimental (EX) Files
name: label: Collection Creator
content: United Shoe Machinery Corporation
setName: label: See more items in
content: United Shoe Machinery Corporation Records
label: See more items in
content: United Shoe Machinery Corporation Records / Series 5: Research and Development Department Records
unitdate: label: Date
content: 1977
label: Date
content: 1931 - 1968
dataSource: label: Archival Repository
content: Archives Center, National Museum of American History
identifier: label: Identifier
content: NMAH.AC.0277, Subseries 5.10
objectType: label: Type
content: Archival materials
scopecontent: label: Scope and Contents
content: This subseries documents ordinary experimentation related to the development and improvement of shoe manufacturing machinery, and work done in connection with the company's post World War Two diversification efforts.  The files cover all aspects of an experimental project, from the conception of an idea, through the experimental working out of problems, to the final decision to adopt or not adopt the idea for production.  They also provide information on the functions of the Research Division, the manner in which it operated, and the way in which production decisions were made.  In particular, they illustrate the division's interaction and cooperation with the company's Patent Department. 

The materials are arranged numerically by project number and consist primarily of correspondence and notes but also include drawings, test data, order request forms, contracts (commercial or government), operating instructions, newspaper clippings, patents, research progress reports, work plans (procedures and specifications), photographs of the machines, shipping memos, product literature, and model room junking record(s).  The junking record contains a wealth of information about experimental machines including: machine name, order number, device name, who developed it, model room location, application filed, patent number, order number, docket number, date issued, if the machine was commercialized, exhibit/historic value, invention acquired from outside source, involved in litigation, photographs, date junked, who authorized junking, and remarks. 

The files are not complete. In some instances other project numbers are referenced.  For example, EX 10,119, sole cement applying cross references several other projects, ND 8105, ND 8163, ND 8251, ND 8643 and EX 10,561.  Presumably these projects also relate to sole cementing development or aspects thereof. This experimental of work by the Research Department, in conjunction with the Patent Department is well documented. 

This series consists of selected experimental (EX) files. These files are a sampling chosen by the archivist to document the range of experimental work carried out by the USMC over time.  They provide a record of experimental work from the 1930s through the 1970s.  The majority are groups of approximately fifty files chosen at ten year intervals.  In addition, all files relating to three specific projects were chosen for retention.  The three projects were:  Automatic Controls, Component Inserting, and a Baseball Stitching Machine. These three experiments are representative of the company's efforts to apply its experience and expertise in shoe machine technology to other areas in order to diversify its product line.  Research notebooks from these same three projects were also retained by the archivist.

The index cards provide the order number, date, what was being worked on, a description, who suggested the work, who developed the work, a department manager signature, and when the order was closed. Associated costs (per month) were recorded on the reverse side of the card. The sample experimental (EX) sample files selected for retention were chosen at ten year intervals as follows: the EX 10000 files (1931-1932); the EX 13000 files (1940s); the EX 15000 files (early 1950s); the EX 18000 files (late 1950s early 1960s); the EX 19000 files (late 1960s); and the EX 21000 files (early 1970s).