Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Ralph Keyes Papers
Keyes, Ralph
Ms.2021.044
6.1 Cubic Feet
5 boxes
ca. 1980s-early 2000s
This collection contains 5 boxes of research files, subject files, and papers relating to food, appliances (especially toasters), household, and food culture. The bulk of the materials are not clearly dated, but were likely collected between the 1980s and early 2000s.
The materials in the collection are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use
The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.
Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction.
Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Ralph Keyes Papers, Ms2021-044, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
Source of Acquisition
The materials were donated to Special Collections in March 2018.
Processing Information
The processing, arrangement, and description of the Ralph Keyes Papers commenced in September 2021 and completed in October 2021. Some additional description was completed in February 2022.
Scope and Content
This collection contains 5 boxes of research files, subject files, and papers relating to food, appliances (especially toasters), household, and food culture. Keyes intended to author a book on toasters, and the collection also includes research, drafts, and manuscript book chapters of "The Tao of Toasters." The bulk of the materials are not clearly dated, but were likely collected between the 1980s and early 2000s.
Arrangement
This collection is in its original order, as recived from the donor. The materials were refoldered, and in some cases split into multiple folders. Several publications were removed from the collection and cataloged for the Special Collections and University Archives' rare book collection.
Separated Materials
The following publications were removed from the collection and cataloged for Special Collections and University Archives' Rare Book Collection: Kitchens and Kitchenware; American Foodways: What, When, Why and How We Eat in America; Women's Life (Winter Quarter 1954); Journal of Living (October 1950); American Cookery (October 1938).
Rights Statement for Archival Description
The guide to the Ralph Keyes Paper by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).
History of Food and Drink
Food Technology and Production
Art (2 folders)11-2Book Manuscripts (3 folders)13-5Versions16Notes17Camp Stove Toaster Box18Vanek19Tichi110Schwartz-Cowan111Freedom of Nutrition 1124 PW113Housework114Duvall (2 folders)115-16K. Law117K.L./Household 118K.L/Gadgetry119K.L./Economics120Riggs121Baskin-Robbins122Fran./HoJo123H. Salt124Fran./Jack-in-Box125Picnic N' Chicken126Denny's127Misc. (3 folders)128-30Toasters131Cartoons132Toast o Lator 133Misc. 134Collectors135South Carolina 21Res.22Toasters23Toast24History (2 folders)25-6Design27Models28Rohasedder29Strite210Peripherals 211Contemporary 212Recipes213Mavens214Authorities and Mavens 215Books and Toasters216TCA217Dealers218Whimsy and Re-Use219Exhibits220Toaster Museum221Norcross222Veerbeck223Technology 224Online225Rite226Family Life and Childhood227Metaphor228Cyber229Business230Vocab231Kids232Movies and TV233Music234Humor235Graphics236Pix (2 folders)237-38Fanciful Toasters239Eros240Tao of Toasters Discs241Blumer242Shepard, Sam243Flying Toasters244Toaster Central245Brave Little Toaster246Soch/Appliances247Culture248Soch/Meals31Res./Fast Food32Potato Chips33Appliances3438/Blender35Soch/Household Items36Housewares, etc37Matranga38Micro./Cooking39Soch/Packaging310MC311Fr/McDonalds (2 folders)312-13KFC314Fran./Food315Fran./Convenience 316Fast Food Architecture317Rest./Speed-Up318Restaurant319House/Inside320Kitchen32150s322Coupons323Shop324Products325Beer326Soda327Soch/Beverages328Gum329Fast Food330Soch/Convenience Food331Soch/Food (2 folders)332-33Microwave334Micro./Food335T&S/Microwave33638/Versions33738/Res.338193733938/Feedback411930s (2 folders)42-3193844193945World's Fair 46Pre-War Nostalgia4738/Related4838/Misc.4938/futurism 41038/FM41138/automatic 41238/gadgetry41338/appliances41438/food and meals41538/instant coffee41638/war of worlds41738/tape41838/TV41938/Modernism, deco. etc.42038/streamline42138/auto42238/highway42338/railroads424Airplane425Synthetics42638/supermarket42738/shop cart42838/workplace42938/fluorescent lights430Nylon (2 folders)431-3238/photography43338/movies43438/music435Atanasoff43638/notes43738/Ideas438Misc43938/Convenience Foods440Food Preparation51Meals52Sp/Eating Habits53Breakfast54Grazing and Snacking55Take-Out56Food57Cereal58Meals, eating59Household510Housewares511Breadbox512Refrigeration513Ice514Refrigerator 515Home516TT/Household517AH/Household518TT/Food519