Business Archive Collections

Summary

This video explores the fascinating world of business archives, highlighting the wide range of materials they contain. From minute books and company reports to unique objects like glass dispensers and vintage safe boxes, business archives provide invaluable insight into the operations and strategies of businesses. Featuring items linked to industries like banking, fishing, and textiles, the video showcases how these records reveal the history and culture of businesses, offering a glimpse into the past through physical objects and documents, including items from international exhibitions and historic trades.

Takeaways

• 😀 Business archives include both documents and physical objects, providing a comprehensive view of a company's history.
• 😀 Business archives are unique because they often contain objects related to the company's products, such as glass dispensers for whiskey and decorative items tied to specific industries.
• 😀 Archives contain important documents such as minute books, which detail the decisions made during business meetings, and are considered vital for understanding a company's operations.
• 😀 In addition to minute books, business archives may include reports, trade records, and other administrative materials that shed light on business strategies and outcomes.
• 😀 Objects in business archives can include items like money boxes used by banks, hidden safes, and promotional materials that reveal the company's marketing techniques.
• 😀 The United Turkey Red archive showcases the connection between Scotland and India through the production and export of dyed goods, demonstrating the global reach of businesses in historical contexts.
• 😀 Some business archives contain specific industry-related records, such as fishing boat crew lists, indicating the regional importance of industries like fishing.
• 😀 Business archives may also preserve historical trademarks, with examples like hand-drawn designs from paper makers showing the creativity involved in branding.
• 😀 Records related to quarries, like the first minute book from Craig and Low Quarries, show how even industries like granite production have documented their decision-making processes.
• 😀 Business archives also offer insights into specific business sectors, such as offshore oil fields, where records like diaries from merchant platforms reveal operational details.
• 😀 Coins from international exhibitions, such as the 1886 Edinburgh Exhibition and the 1883-1884 Calcutta Exhibition, provide a tangible link to historical events and the global impact of businesses during the 1800s.

Q & A

What types of materials are found in business archives?

Business archives contain a variety of materials, including records related to the administration of the business, such as minute books and reports. Additionally, there are objects connected to the business's product, including glass dispensers, money boxes, and other artifacts that represent the company's operations and history.

What role do objects play in business archives?

Objects in business archives are essential as they provide a tangible link to the business's history and products. These items, such as glass dispensers, money boxes, and bibles safes, offer insights into how businesses operated and interacted with their customers over time.

What is the significance of the glass dispensers in the archive?

The glass dispensers were used to hold whiskey, filled directly from the cask, and served to customers. These objects are significant as they represent the operational aspects of the business, especially in terms of product distribution and customer service.

Why were Bible safes used by banks?

Bible safes were used by banks to encourage small savings. These safes were hidden on a shelf and could only be opened at the bank, promoting the idea of bringing savings into the bank to be deposited into an account, fostering a culture of saving among customers.

How did the United Turkey Red business relate to India?

The United Turkey Red was a business involved in producing dyed goods and cottons in Scotland, which were then exported to India. The archive contains items that reflect the connection between Scottish manufacturing and Indian culture, including representations of Indian culture in the designs and colors used in their products.

What types of records are found in business archives related to the fishing industry?

Business archives related to the fishing industry include records such as crew lists from fishing boats, which provide valuable historical data about the people involved in the industry and the operations of fishing businesses, especially in regions like the northeast.

Why are minute books important in business archives?

Minute books are crucial because they document the decision-making processes of a business, listing who attended meetings, what decisions were made, and the actions taken. They are considered the 'bread and butter' of archives as they offer detailed insights into the business's operations and governance.

What is an example of a significant business archive related to the oil industry?

An example of a significant business archive related to the oil industry is the collection of records from the Frigg Field and Murchison platforms. These records include plans, diaries, and photographic progress reports, which provide a detailed account of operations in the oil industry.

What role did international exhibitions play in business archives?

International exhibitions, such as those held in Edinburgh and Calcutta in the 1800s, are represented in business archives through items like coins from the exhibitions. These coins reflect the global nature of business during that time and the importance of such events in showcasing products and innovations.

What are business archives used to understand about a company?

Business archives are used to understand a company's operations, strategies, goals, and achievements. They provide insights into how a business functioned, what it aimed to achieve, and how successful it was in its endeavors, often through records of decision-making and operational documents.