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Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn General Chemistry Kit

Call Number

RG.061

Date

Circa 1940

Creator

Extent

.158 Cubic Feet
This item is a 1940s student chemistry kit. The kit is a cardboard box 13 inches long, 7 inches wide, and 3 inches tall.

Language of Materials

English .

Biographical / Historical

The Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn General Chemistry Kit belonged to alumnus Dr. William S. Ginell, who graduated in 1943 with a BS in Chemistry. Ginell used this chemistry kit during his time at Poly in the early 1940s. After graduating from Poly, Ginell worked as a chemist, physicist, and aerospace technician. He worked on the Manhattan Project during and after World War II, conducting research on U235 isotopes that led to the development of the atomic bomb.

Arrangement

The vials in the kit are organized in the same order as when they were received by the Poly Archives in 2023. The inner lid of the kit contains a printed list of materials which should be in the kit, as well as additional elements written in at the bottom of the list. Most of the vials contain cork stoppers with numbers corresponding to the list on the lid. Some of the vials were not organized in the divided potrion of the kit and were loose. Some of the vials do not have numbers on the cork stopper.

Scope and Contents

The chemistry kit is comprised of a cardboard box (13 inches long, 7 inches wide, and 3 inches tall) containing about 80 glass vials of chemical elements and materials. A list of materials within the vials on the inside box top.

Conditions Governing Access

The item is currently in restricted lab safety access. The kit contains vials with several toxic elements, including arsenic and potassium cyanide. The kit is held in Tandon chemical storage in Rogers Hall. Access to the kit can be provided by lab safety staff after the researcher has completed the NYU lab safety course. The kit must be viewed in a fume hood with proper personal protective gear (disposable gloves, safety glasses).

Conditions Governing Use

The item is currently in restricted lab safety access. The kit contains vials with several toxic elements, including arsenic and potassium cyanide. The kit is held in Tandon chemical storage in Rogers Hall. Access to the kit can be provided by lab safety staff after the researcher has completed the NYU lab safety course. The kit must be viewed in a fume hood with proper personal protective gear (disposable gloves, safety glasses).

Preferred Citation

Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn General Chemistry Kit; RG 061; Poly Archives at Bern Dibner Library of Science and Technology, New York University.

Location of Materials

Location is currently in chemical storage, Rogers Hall, 6 MetroTech Center, Brooklyn, NY.

Custodial History

The kit was donated to the Poly Archives in 2023 by Cary Ginell, son of the original owner, Dr. William Ginell.

Existence and Location of Copies

The digital surrogate images of the chemistry kit are linked to this finding aid and are saved on the NYU Libraries' preservation server. The kit was photographed on January 25, 2024 by Michael Stasiak, NYU Libraries.

Dimensions

13 inches long, 7 inches wide, and 3 inches tall

Physical Facet

Inside the lid of the box is a list of chemical elements and materials contained in the kit. The kit includes approximately 80 glass vials with cork stoppers.

Collection processed by

Lindsay Anderberg

About this Guide

This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2024-03-04 11:55:51 -0500.
Language: Finding aid written in English

Repository

Poly Archives at the Bern Dibner Library of Science and Technology, NYU Libraries

View Inventory

Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn General Chemistry Kit, Circa 1940

Language of Materials

English.
Poly Archives at Bern Dibner Library of Science and Technology
Bern Dibner Library of Science and Technology
5 MetroTech Center
Brooklyn, NY 11201