Object Details
- Collection Creator
- Johnson, Victor S., Sr., 1882-1943
- Johnson, Victor, Jr., 1906-
- Aladdin Industries, Inc. (Nashville, Tenn.).
- See more items in
- Aladdin Industries, Inc. Records
- Date
- 1914-1983
- Archival Repository
- Archives Center, National Museum of American History
- Identifier
- NMAH.AC.0844, Series 3
- Type
- Archival materials
- Collection Citation
- Aladdin Industries, Inc. Records, 1889-2002, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
- Collection Rights
- Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
- Scope and Contents
- The largest series in the collection, it is divided into three subseries: biographical data, subject files, and files about Aladdin Divisions. The subject files are arranged alphabetically. The files cover a wide range of topics from the Atomic Energy Commission to research and development matters within the company to the King-Seeley Thermos case. The files include correspondence (both incoming and outgoing), product literature, internal memos, drawings, advertisements, financial data, company histories, and documentation on Aladdin's subsidiaries, such as Aladdin Electronics and Aladdin Synergetics Inc. Overlap exists between Victor S. Johnson Jr. Files and other series. For example, company histories are found in Series 1: Historical and Background Materials, 1919-1997, but some of the same material is duplicated in Johnson's files. Researchers should consult both as some items are annotated. There are several subject files that are noteworthy. The William Adler Advertising Agency, 1947-1979, played a large role in promoting Aladdin and its products. Many of the promotional campaigns and other literature about Aladdin products can be found here. The Carl Bramming files document the head of research and development at Aladdin and provide insight into product development through the drawings found in the files. The King-Seeley Thermos case files, 1962-1980, highlight Aladdin's involvement over the trademark use of the word thermos. In a 1963 court ruling, it was established that Aladdin and its customers use the word thermos in all lowercase, never use the word in solid capitals letters and can only have an initial capital letter if the rules of grammar require it. Additionally, the word thermos must be preceded by a possessive of the name Aladdin and in advertising it must clearly identify material as Aladdin. The subseries dealing with Aladdin Divisions contains the Jack Imber's files, 1932-1960, documenting the relationship between Johnson and his managing Director of Aladdin Industries Limited in England. The board of director's files, 1950-1959, contain financial data, sales and inventories data, and product information.
- Collection Restrictions
- Collection is open for research but the oversize map folders are stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
- Record ID
- ebl-1503510448300-1503510448349-2
