Finding Aid to the Howard B. Bishop Papers, 1921-1961 (bulk 1940-1960)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Descriptive Summary

Biographical Note

Collection Summary

Index Terms

Administrative Information

Restrictions

Series Descriptions

Series I: Personal Correspondence, 1921-1960

Series II: Human Engineering Foundation, 1923-1961

Series III: American Vegetarian Convention, 1948-1952

Series IV: National Business Show, 1956

Series V: Collected Publications, 1931-1961

Biographical Note

Born on January 22, 1878 in Bloomington, Illinois, Howard Berkey Bishop was educated as a chemical engineer. He became a member of the American Chemical Society in 1902. During World War I he worked for Baker & Adamson, contributing to the development and manufacture of smokeless gun powder. He subsequently owned the Sterling Products Company in Easton, Pennsylvania. In 1939 he sold his company to the Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company and devoted his retirement to "promoting the formula for a better way of life."

While in his twenties, Bishop had converted to a lifestyle that abstained from smoking, drinking alcohol or coffee. In time he developed overall guidelines that he determined would improve the quality and length of life of his fellow humans. To better promulgate his beliefs, he formed the Human Engineering Foundation (HEF) in 1940. This educational, non-profit organization's stated purposes were to "investigate and analyze the contents of narcotics, coffee, tea, cocoa, chocolate, colas, tobacco, snuff, caffeine, alcohol and derivatives" and to "bring to the attention of individuals the effect upon their health and economic life resulting from the use" of these substances. He was also an active member of the American Vegetarian Union.

In letters written to advertising firms, radio and television corporations, publishers, athletes and any other public figure that provided encouragement for what he considered to be deleterious lifestyles, Bishop pointed out the harm he felt they were inflicting on society and suggested that they adopt habits espoused by the HEF. The foundation, through Humanic Brands, produced supplemental substances designed to help people break their unhealthy habits. Bishop also produced various newspaper articles, advertisements, editorials and flyers that pointedly illustrated HEF's cause. Howard Bishop continued these activities until his death in November, 1963.

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Collection Summary

Promotional flyers, advertisements, correspondence, articles, editorials and various corporate records (1921-1961; 18.25 l.f.) document Howard Bishop's post-retirement activities as the founder and driving force behind the Human Engineering Foundation (HEF) and his efforts to counteract the physical and moral ills of tobacco use, caffeine, and alcohol.

The bulk of collection is Bishop's HEF correspondence (1948-1960) where he writes to a wide variety of high-profile private and public figures, with all blunt candor, about his disdain for the product, its harmful effects, and the low personal morals engendered by such pandering--both outgoing letters and responses are included. For example, upon seeing an offensive television or print advertisement or hearing a radio ad, he would write the corporation president or pitch-man and express his dismay. Notable persons found in the chronological correspondence sub-series include John Foster Dulles (cigarettes), Groucho Marx (cigars), Branch Rickey (chewing tobacco), and John Ringling North of Ringling Bros., Barnum and Bailey circus fame.

Also of particular interest are the illustrated promotional flyers, tracts, and buttons Bishop created (1947-1957) that are found in the Promotional Material sub-series within Series II. Here is a rich collection of visual material created to promote Bishop's cause. They succinctly summarize his goals and opinions about what constitutes a healthy life, and the dangers to avoid. The narratives contained within also demonstrate Bishop's conservative political agenda that bears a close similarity with Nazi German attitudes toward wholesome morals, clean living, and their importance to a democratic society. The original "printing elements" graphics for many of these flyers are found in the Advertising sub-series.

There are also HEF incorporation records, some annual reports, and a miscellany of other scattered records (1939-1960). Under the name of the Human Brands Company, Bishop also marketed some exercise equipment and food products to help one lead a healthy life.

Lastly, included in the papers are correspondence and other data related to Bishop's work as the organizational chair of the 1949 American Vegetarian Convention held in Wisconsin.

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Restrictions

Restrictions

Collection is not restricted. Contact the Reference Staff for information regarding access. For online customer service, please visit custserv@nlm.nih.gov.

Copyright

Copyright was transferred to the public domain. Contact the Reference Staff for details regarding rights. For online customer service, please visit custserv@nlm.nih.gov.

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Bishop, Howard B. Howard B. Bishop Papers. 1921-1961 (bulk 1940-1960). Located in: Modern Manuscripts Collection, History of Medicine Division, National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD; MS C 562.

Provenance

Gift, Vernon Bishop, 9/26/2003. Acc. #2003-043.

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Series Descriptions

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