Archives West Finding Aid

The Joseph A. Brink papers have been arranged in nine series: Articles and Reports by Brink, 1948-1975; Biographical and Personal, 1954-1977; Brink and Associates, 1975-1978; Conferences and Meetings, 1966-1972; Correspondence, 1950-1978; Pollution Control--Brink Mist Eliminator, 1923-1978; Reference Materials, 1923-1978; Washington State University, 1974-1978; and Work Files, 1955-1978.

These groups were artificially created by the processor due to the lack of perceived order in the collection. Much of the material is heavily interrelated. For example, the Reference Materials section contains information per taining to Brink's various work projects, which are located in the Work File. Although the collection dates fom 1923 through 1978, there are only a few items which predate 1948. The vast majority of the material in the collection dates from the mid-1950s through the 1970s.

The groups are arranged alphabetically by subject as are all of the folders in each group. Wherever possible, Dr. Brink's own folder headings have been preserved and material within folders was kept in its original order.

Series 1, Articles and Reports by Brink, 1948-1975, contains various technical or industry related reports and articles which Brink authored or co-authored. His master's thesis and doctoral dissertation are included. Some of the papers were translated into Spanish, Italian, French or German. These foreign language papers have been grouped together and placed at the end of this series.

Series 2, Biographical and Personal, 1954-1977, contains resumes, biographical sketches, awards, transcripts, newspaper clippings and other personal memorabilia.

The third series, Brink and Associates, 1975-1978, is made up of records from Brink's private consulting firm. Most of the items are financial in nature, such as check stubs, a record book, bank statements, and receipts. A prospectus for an ammonia/urea plant is also included.

The fourth series, Conferences and Meetings, 1966-1977 contains information and records from various trade-related events which Brink attended. Correspondence, itineraries and schedules make up the bulk of the material.

Correspondence, 1950-1978, the fifth series, is comprised mainly of correspondence relating to the profession or professional societies. Associations such as The American Chemical Society and the American Institute of Chemical Engineering are included.

The sixth series, Pollution Control--Brink Mist Eliminators, 1923-1978, is divided into two groups, Advertising and Patents. Advertising consists mainly of Monsanto pamphlets and brochures on Brink Mist Eliminators (BME) in English and foreign languages. Technical and sales bulletins are included. Also there are several articles dealing with air pollution which specifically mention the BME and/or Dr. Brink. In addition, photographs of the BME and its various components are located here. The second subgroup, Patents, contains copies of patents granted for BME's in Canada, Europe, the United Kingdom and the United States. Copies of a patent dealing with glass fibers is also included.

Series 7, Reference Materials, 1923-1978, is the largest group in this collection. It contains a wide variety of information which Dr. Brink collected over the years on many aspects of air pollution, air pollution con trol equipment, chemical engineering, and other technologies in this field. It is assumed he used these materials in his research and consulting work. Items such as reports, articles, and papers are included, advertising pamphlets make up a great deal of this group.

The eighth series, Washington State University, 1974-1978, has been divided into two subgroups: Correspondence and Research. Correspondence consists of letters to collegues and other University chemical engineering departments, letters to and replies from possible participants in an Environmental Exposition WSU attempted to sponsor, personnel files and information on enrollment restrictions. The Research subgroup contains papers concerning coal research, fibers, fertilizer plants and patent disclosure decisions.

The ninth and last series, Work Files, 1955-1978, concerns various records of Dr. Brinks's work with several clients both while at Monsanto and Brink and Associates. Drawings, photos, blueprints for equipment, records, mist eliminator work and reports are contained in this section.