Guide to the Kenneth P. Whiting papers, 1925-1976

(bulk 1925-1926)

Brown University Library, Special Collections
Box A, John Hay Library
Brown University
Providence, RI 02912
Tel: 401-863-2146
Fax: 401-863-2093
E-mail: hay@brown.edu

Published in 2008

Collection Overview

Title:	Kenneth P. Whiting papers
Date range:	1925-1926, 1925-1926
Creator:	Whiting, Kenneth P., 1902-
Extent:	2.25 linear feet (1 legal size clamshell boxes) (1 oversize box)
Abstract:	Kenneth P. Whiting was employed from 1925 to 1926 at Thomas A. Edison Inc. in disc record manufacturing and development and distribution of demonstrating sample records. The Kenneth P. Whiting papers include a series of memoranda from Whiting to Edison himself, with Edison's replies.
Language of materials:	English
Repository:	Brown University Library, Special Collections
Collection number:	Ms. 81.4

Scope & content

The collection consists primarily of materials relating to the development and distribution of Edison demonstrating sample records. Its chief interest is a series of memoranda from Whiting to Edison himself, with Edison's replies; all but two of the latter took the form of comments written on the memoranda. These afford a glimpse of Edison's management of one of the numerous aspects of his industrial enterprise.

The miscellaneous materials include printed brochures, clippings, photographs, and a printed book. The Edison disc records in the collection were not produced as demonstration samples.

Access Points

Subject Names

• Whiting, Kenneth P., 1902-
• Anderson, H. S
• Boarman, L. H.
• Edison, Thomas Alva, 1847-1931
• Meadowcroft, Wm. H. (William Henry), b. 1853
• Drigo, Riccardo, 1846-1930
• Foster, Stephen Collins, 1826-1864

Subject Organizations

• Thomas A. Edison, Inc.
• Armand Vecsey and his Hungarian Orchestra
• Lehár, Franz, 1870-1948
• Frieda Hempel and the Criterion Quartet

Subject Organizations

• Phonograph-Manufacture

Subject Topics

• Performing Arts
• Business

• Pretty Edelweiss

• Alone at Last

• Les Millions d'Arlequin

• Serenade

• Aloha oe by Queen Liliuokaani

• My Old Kentucky Home

Document Types

• Letters (correspondence)
• Brochures
• Photographs
• Phonograph records

Occupations

• Electric engineers
• Inventors

Arrangement

The collection is divided into five series:

• 1. Correspondence and memoranda
• 2. Form letters
• 3. Printed material concerning demonstrating sample records
• 4. Miscellaneous
• 5. Edison disc records

Biographical Note

Kenneth P. Whiting was born in New Brunswick, N.J., on March 10, 1902, the son of Jesse E. Whiting and Mable Clare (Parks) Whiting. He attended Brown University, and graduated with a Ph.B. degree in 1925. Upon graduation he obtained employment at Thomas A. Edison Inc., first as an inspector in the disc record manufacturing division, and then on a project to develop and distribute demonstrating sample records. Upon termination of his employment with Edison he joined the Celluloid Corporation of Newark, N. J., and subsequently the Nixon Nitration Works of Nixon, N. J., where he was employed for forty years until his retirement.

In 1928, Whiting married Jessie Helen Du Bois. They had two children; Jamed Du Bois Whiting (born 1932) and Beverly Lou Whiting (born 1946). He later married Mrs. Ann Sisck, in 1975.

Access & Use

Access to the collection:	There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested.
Use of the materials:	By the terms of the deed of gift, all of Mr. Whiting's copyright and literary rights pertaining to this collection have been transferred to Brown University, from which permission to publish extracts must be obtained.
Alternate form:	This collection has been microfilmed.
Preferred citation:	Kenneth P. Whiting papers, Ms. 81.4, Brown University Library.
Contact information:	Brown University Library, Special Collections Box A, John Hay Library Brown University Providence, RI 02912 Tel: 401-863-2146 Fax: 401-863-2093 E-mail: hay@brown.edu

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION
Acquisition:	This collection was donated by Kenneth P. Whiting on September 19, 1980.
ABOUT THE FINDING AID
Author:	Finding aid prepared by John Hay Library staff.
Encoding:	Finding aid encoded by Vasundhara Prasad 2008 October 29

Additional Information

Related material:	RESOURCES BEYOND BROWNInventing Entertainment: The Motion Pictures and Sound Recordings of the Edison Company (American Memory Project, Library of Congress)Edison Companies (The Edison Papers, Rutgers University)
Location/Existence of copies:	This collection has been microfilmed.
Other information:	Brown University Library catalog record for this collection: Kenneth P. Whiting papers

Inventory

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