Inventors' Association of Australia records, 1948-ca. 1990

fonds

1948-ca. 1990

Textual Records, Graphic Materials, Clippings, Design Drawings, Drawings, Ephemera, Photographs

966878

8.05 metres of textual material (48 boxes), some files contain drawings and photographs

The Inventors' Association of Australia (IAA) was formed in 1958 by an independent inventor, Stan E. Shrivell. He aimed to help inventors and innovators to achieve success with their new products, to bring the benefits of new innovations to the general community and thereby to improve the standard of living and the employment situation. The Association’s early core activities included providing advice and assisting in assessments on inventions and patent applications; making representations to governments on behalf of all Australian inventors; and approaching manufacturers on behalf of members and trying to secure them as associate members. In 1977 Shrivell was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for founding the Association and for helping inventors.

In 1963 Charles J. P. Smith visited Sydney from his home in Perth to exhibit several inventions at that year's Royal Easter Show. He joined the Association and later served as Vice President. In 1965 he became the Association's third president. When he moved to Sydney the following year, he became actively involved in the fledgling organisation that was then functioning only in NSW While travelling around Australia to promote his own inventions, Smith organised initial meetings of inventors throughout the country to operate as branches and sub-branches.

Smith was recognised as National President of the IAA; each branch by then also had its own State President. In 1969 he organised the incorporation of IAA as a non- profit company limited by guarantee, which was a prerequisite to the gaining of Federal Government grants to subsidise help for inventors.

Smith also lobbyed ABC-TV to produce a program on inventions. The 'ABC Inventors' program ran from 1970 to 1980. Many members appeared on the original ABC Inventors and the later New Inventors program.

References:
Compiled from the collection
Australian Inventors: website of the Inventors Association of Australia. http://australian-inventors.asn.au/about/history-of-the-inventors-association-of-australia.html (accessed March 22, 2012)

This collection largely documents the pioneering efforts and activities of two of the Inventors' Association of Australia's chief office bearers, the founding Secretary, Stan E. Shrivell, and longtime President, Charles J. P. Smith.

SERIES 01
Inventors’ Association of Australia administrative and subject files, 1948-1977

SERIES 02
Series 02 Part 01
Inventors’ Association of Australia inventors’ and members’ correspondence files: Abb-Hay, 1953-1977

Series 02 Part 02
Inventors’ Association of Australia inventors’ and members’ correspondence files: Hea-Zyf, 1953-1977

SERIES 03
Inventors’ Association of Australia members’ application and renewal forms, ca. 1960-ca. 1987

SERIES 04
Inventors’ Association of Australia records mainly relating to branches, 1961-ca. 1990

SERIES 05
Inventors’ Association of Australia financial records, 1965-1973

SERIES 06
Inventors’ Association of Australia miscellaneous records, 1959-1989