Libraries are full of innovation – books that line their shelves tell all about technological advancements, people who thought outside the box and founders who weren’t afraid to try their crazy ideas. They also support research, creativity and education. Perhaps their lesser known contribution to innovation is in their role of aggregating historical records. Special collections departments house a multitude of digital and printed records in addition to objects that tell about a variety of people and subjects. This record-keeping is important for preserving local history and helping us understand the context of innovation.
We asked archivists at Iowa’s three regent universities to share about Iowans whose innovations changed history. To understand the future, we must first understand the past.
– Emily Barske Wood, Business Record…