Beckman Historical Collection

Developed from a Linus Pauling design during WWII, the technology behind Beckman Instruments’ oxygen analyzers ended up doing such diverse jobs as monitoring astronauts’ respiration, maintaining packaged food safety,…

The ultraviolet Model B was marketed as an easier to use and more affordable alternative to the Beckman DU Spectrophotometer.

The first Beckman Instruments DU Spectrophotometer was developed in 1940, when the company…

The Beckman Instruments IR spectrophotometers began as a request from the Office of Rubber Reserve to Arnold O. Beckman in 1942, asking for an infrared spectrophotometer that they could use to create rubber. Under this…

Glass electrodes were used in Beckman pH meters and various other instruments.

This questionnaire contains frequently asked questions and common issues with the performance of the IR-2.

The Beckman Instruments IR spectrophotometers began as a request from the Office of Rubber Reserve to Arnold O.…

Promotional, color pamphlet for the Model H pH Meter.

Arnold Beckman invented his first pH meter in 1934 at the request of a chemist from the California citrus industry, who needed an accurate way to measure the…

The advertisement touts the features of Beckman glass electrodes and the company's position in the instrumentation field.

Arnold Beckman invented his first pH meter in 1934 at the request of a chemist from the…

The document and an accompanying manual were intended to prepare sales staff to answer customer questions and perform other job functions. The Sterimatic was a device which automatically dispensed a pH-controlled…

The brochure touts the benefits of a device which automatically dispenses a pH-controlled chlorine germicide rinse. Soda fountains, bars, and lunch counters are the target market.

Arnold Beckman invented his first pH meter in 1934 at the request of a chemist from the California citrus industry, who needed an accurate way to measure the acidity of his product. The resulting instrument kicked off…

Arnold Beckman invented his first pH meter in 1934 at the request of a chemist from the California citrus industry, who needed an accurate way to measure the acidity of his product. The resulting instrument kicked off…

Developed from a Linus Pauling design during WWII, the technology behind Beckman Instruments’ oxygen analyzers ended up doing such diverse jobs as monitoring astronauts’ respiration, maintaining packaged food safety,…

The cover of the bulletin includes handwritten notes about printing dates and quantities.

The Beckman Instruments IR spectrophotometers began as a request from the Office of Rubber Reserve to Arnold O. Beckman in 1942,…

This is Helipot Corporation's Meridian Avenue location.

The Helipot Corporation was founded during World War II by Arnold O. Beckman of Beckman Instruments (at that time still National Technical Laboratories) to keep…

The paper, distributed as a reprint from Beckman Instruments, described the IR-3 spectrophotometer. It was originally presented before the Symposium on Molecular Structure and Spectroscopy, held in Columbus, Ohio at…

This building at 820 Mission Street was the first built exclusively for National Technical Laboratories in 1940.

One photograph bears a photographer's stamp for J. Allen Hawkins on the back, but the other images in…

The diagram is annotated in red and blue ink, indicating first and second position.

Arnold Beckman invented his first pH meter in 1934 at the request of a chemist from the California citrus industry, who needed an…

Beckman Instruments reprinted and distributed this paper, originally published in Analytical Chemistry Vol. 22, No. 6, June 1950.

The Beckman Instruments IR spectrophotometers began as a request from the Office of Rubber Reserve to Arnold O. Beckman in 1942, asking for an infrared spectrophotometer that they could use to create rubber. Under this…

Arnold Beckman informs J. H. Rushton that the Model G oxygen meter is ready for testing, but the Model F is not. An order has been received from the Linde Company, but not fulfilled, and an experimental instrument was…

Staff and representatives pose outside the Helipot Corporation's Meridian Avenue location.

The Helipot Corporation was founded during World War II by Arnold O. Beckman of Beckman Instruments (at that time still…

A Pasadena garage was the first home of the National Postal Meter Company, founded by Arnold Beckman in 1934. The company soon became National Technical Laboratories, with a focus on pH meters. In 1935, the company…

This series of photographs depicts the aftermath of a fire that swept through the National Technical Laboratories building in South Pasadena. Most are unattributed, but Hank Hoag is identified as the photographer in one…

The first Beckman Instruments DU Spectrophotometer was developed in 1940, when the company was still called National Technical Laboratories. Spurred by employee Howard Cary (who had previously been involved in pH meter…

Front entrance of National Technical Laboratories in South Pasadena.