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Charles Adler, Jr. Collection

National Museum of American History

Charles Adler, Jr. Collection
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Finding aid
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Object Details

sova.nmah.ac.0351
GUID
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep82dd3fcc6-42d6-4c6d-9a85-bf1368a8613b
Creator
Adler, Charles, Jr., 1899-1980 (engineer, inventor)
Place
Baltimore (Md.) -- 20th century
Topic
Engineers -- 1920-1980
Inventions -- 20th century
Railroads -- 20th century
Inventors -- 20th century
Aeronautics and state -- 20th century
Traffic signs and signals -- 1920-1980
Traffic engineering -- 20th century
Provenance
This collection was donated by Charles Adler, Jr.'s daughter, Mrs. Amalie Adler Ascher on September 15, 1989.
Creator
Adler, Charles, Jr., 1899-1980 (engineer, inventor)
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Charles Adler, Jr. Collection
Summary
The collection contains correspondence, news clippings, photographs, patents, and printed materials documenting the inventive career of Charles Adler, Jr. Adler is best known for his development of the first traffic actuated signal light in 1928.
Biographical / Historical
Charles Adler, Jr. (1899-1980), a professional engineer and inventor was a life-long resident of Baltimore, Maryland. He began his career as an inventor at age 14, receiving a patent on an electric automotive brake. After attending Johns Hopkins University, he served briefly in the Army during World War I and worked at several jobs before being associated in 1919 with the Maryland and Pennsylvania Railroad, where he developed a series of safety devices. In 1928 he developed and installed in Baltimore the first traffic actuated signal light. In 1937 he became a consultant to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, continuing to invent safety and signal devices for automobiles, trains and aircraft. He was granted over sixty United States patents. He was a licensed pilot and a member of numerous professional engineering societies. From 1953-1959, Adler served on the Maryland State Aviation Commission and he was a member of the Maryland Traffic Safety Commission from 1952 until his death in 1980.
Extent
6 Cubic feet (15 boxes)
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Gloves must be worn when handling unprotected photographs and negatives.
Date
1899 - 1980
Archival Repository
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Identifier
NMAH.AC.0351
Type
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Patent applications
Clippings
Correspondence
Photographs
Receipts
Citation
Charles Adler, Jr. Collection, 1899-1980, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged into six series. Series 1, Biographical Material, 1899-1980 Series 2, Scrapbooks and Clippings, 1920-1989 Series 3, Correspondence, 1928-1975 Series 4, Patents and Inventions, 1929-1980 Series 5, Photographs and Scrapbooks, circa 1920-1930 Series 6, Publications, 1952-1980
Processing Information
Processed by Don Darroch, volunteer, and Robert S. Harding, archivist, 1990.
Rights
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning intellectual rights. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Genre/Form
Patent applications
Clippings -- 20th century
Correspondence -- 20th century
Photographs -- 20th century
Receipts -- 20th century
Scope and Contents
The collection contains biographical information about Adler and his career. Materials relating to his professional activities include newspaper clippings, photographs and other memorabilia; his published writings include articles in periodicals and newspapers. In addition, there are patent applications, royalty receipts and correspondence, as well as lengthy descriptions of various safety devices Adler invented. Many photographs are not captioned, including images of devices Adler invented, as well as images of aircraft, automobiles, and trains. There are portraits of family members, Adler, and his associates.
Restrictions
The collection is open for research.
NMAH.AC.0351
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep82dd3fcc6-42d6-4c6d-9a85-bf1368a8613b
NMAH.AC.0351
ACAH
Record ID
ebl-1503512038161-1503512038165-0

  • Images 5 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Archival materials 108 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1910s 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1920s 17 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1930s 18 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1940s 21 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1950s 28 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1960s 29 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1970s 29 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1980s 8 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Charles Adler, Jr. Collection 108 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Charles Adler, Jr. Collection / Series 4: Patents and Inventions 52 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Charles Adler, Jr. Collection / Series 2: Scrapbooks and Clippings 18 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Charles Adler, Jr. Collection / Series 1: Biographical Material 15 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Charles Adler, Jr. Collection / Series 5: Photographs and Scrapbooks 8 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Charles Adler, Jr. Collection / Series 3: Correspondence 7 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Charles Adler, Jr. Collection / Series 6: Publications 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • CC0 108 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • No 101 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Yes 7 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • ead_component 108 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Photographs and Scrapbooks

  • Unidentified devices

  • Automotive, other

  • Scrapbooks and Clippings

  • Railroad

  • Automotive, classic cars

  • News clippings, correspondence and photos on traffic signal actuated by sound of horn

  • State of Maryland professional engineer certificate

  • News clippings, handwritten notes and correspondence on sonic traffic light control

  • Canadian Patent, 224,361, railway crossing signals

  • Aircraft collision avoidance

  • Automotive traffic control

  • Honorable discharge from United States Army

  • Unmounted clippings from newspapers and magazines on a variety of Adler's inventions and activities

  • Royalty statements, Union Switch and Signal to Adler

  • Aircraft collision avoidance Grimes Manufacturing Company

  • US Patent, 2,938,192, beacon lights

  • Correspondence

  • US Patent, 108,773 (design), signal cover glass

  • US Patent, 2,605,384, aircraft position lamp

  • US Patent, 1,919,874, traffic signals

  • Correspondence

  • Automotive traffic control

  • Aircraft


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