United Press International (UPI) records, 1970-1990
Collection context
- Creator:
- United Press International
- Abstract:
- These papers include institutional archives, biographical information, story notes, drafts, and published articles going back to the 1910s. They cover many major events of the 20th century, on both a local and a global scale: from news of California socialites in the 1920s, to a drafted letter complaining about an unauthorized dispatch by the Associated Press in the European Theater of World War II, to photographs and publications of Stanley Hill, the inventor of the 1955 "Flying Platform" machine, to Marin County activist Ann Smart working to remove "smut" from school reading lists in the early 1960s, to the front pages of UPI clients following the assassination of JFK in 1963.
- Extent:
- 9 Linear Feet (5 - 10 RSCs)
- Language:
- English .
- Scope and content:
-
This collection consists of files collected by former UPI executives Doug Page, Pamela MacLean, and Bill Adler. This collection includes paper materials typical of the midcentury — memos, printed matter, carbon copies, newspaper clippings.
- Biographical / historical:
-
On July 15, 1907, United Press began its first journalism endeavour— transmitting 10,000 words daily through Morse code to the first 369 newspapers to buy its service.
As an owner of Scripps-McRae Press Association and the Scripps News Association in the early 1900s and later acquiring control of the Publishers Press Association in 1906, news mogul E.W. Scripps merged the three news entities, which incorporated as United Press Associations on June 21, 1907, making him the founding father of what would later be a global leading wire service agency.
Scripps entrusted Roy W. Howard, who was in his twenties at the time, to lead the news agency. Howard was on a mission. He said to his reporters: "We've got to do things that have never been done before."
In their earlier days, UP's clientele was mostly local afternoon American newspapers. However, Scripps and Howard were thinking bigger. Within two years, UP gained some European newspaper clients. Soon enough, under Howard's leadership, they were covering major national stories while expanding outside of the U.S. with extensive global coverage, including war reporting. During the 1920s, they declared the following slogan: "Around the World, Around the Clock."
In 1958, UP was renamed United Press International (UPI) when it merged with the International News Service.
Source: UPI Staff, "UPI: The First 75 Years Covering the World," United Press International.
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
Material is unprocessed. Please contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.
This collection is located onsite.
- Terms of access:
-
Single reproductions may be made for research purposes. It is the responsibility of the user to secure permission for publication or use from the appropriate copyright holder.
- Preferred citation:
-
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); United Press International (UPI) Records; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library
- Location of this collection:
- Before you visit:
- Researchers interested in viewing materials in the RBML reading room must must book an appointment at least 7 days in advance. To make the most of your visit, be sure to request your desired materials before booking your appointment, as researchers are limited to 5 items per day.
- Contact:
- rbml@library.columbia.edu