ALVIN W. BOESE: Finding Aids : MNHS.ORG


	Creator:	Boese, Alvin W., creator.
	Title:	Alvin W. Boese papers.
	Dates:	1940-1981.
	Abstract:	Personal papers and business records related to the life and career of a prominent researcher and inventor at 3M. The papers include correspondence, laboratory log books, research reports, patents, contracts, blueprints, minutes, product samples, financial data, speeches, articles, newspaper clippings, and photographs.
	Quantity:	2.25 cubic feet (5 boxes and 1 oversize folder, unboxed).
	Location:	See Detailed Description for shelf locations.

Alvin W. Boese was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on March 24, 1910. In 1925 Boese dropped out of high school and worked as a bell hop and drug store clerk before joining 3M as an office boy in 1930. He moved to the laboratory as a helper in 1933, and in 1939 he volunteered to assist in developing a noncorrosive backing for electrical tape. This assignment was the start of Boese's career in the research, development, and marketing of 3M nonwoven fiber products.

In 1953 Boese became technical director of 3M's ribbon laboratories and in 1958 he was promoted to general manufacturing manager of the gift wrap and fabric division. In June 1968 Boese was promoted to nonwoven products manager and a month later he was appointed as a research associate in 3M's new business ventures division. Boese retired in 1975.

Boese possessed a strong interest in art and art history, and was active in a variety of Minnesota art organizations. He was a member of the Saint Paul Art Center's board of directors and participated in the sales and rental programs at the Walker Art Center and the Saint Paul Gallery. Boese's interest in art combined with his work at 3M during the 1960s when he was appointed project manager for 3M art products and participated in the research and development of an art fabric constructed from nonwoven fibers.

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The papers primarily document Boese's long association with the research, development, manufacture, and marketing of 3M nonwoven fabric products including lens tissue, decorative ribbon and gift wrap, filter face masks, and art fabric.

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These documents are organized into the following sections:


		Personal Papers
		Business Records

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Availability:

The collection is open for research use.

Preferred Citation:

[Indicate the cited item and/or series here]. Alvin W. Boese Papers. Minnesota Historical Society.

See the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples

Accession Information:

Accession number: 15,052

Processing Information:

Processed by: Frank Hennessy, April 1996

Legacy Amendment logo

Digitized by: Minnesota Historical Society Febuary-March 2025.

Digitization was made possible by the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the vote of Minnesotans on November 4, 2008.

Catalog ID number: 990017326760104294

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The biographical data consists of a copy of Boese's birth certificate, a biographical sketch written by Boese's eldest son, Donald L. Boese, and press clippings detailing Boese's career at 3M. Boese's career is also documented in a group of correspondence (1953-1975) consisting of announcements of his promotions, anniversaries, and retirement and related congratulatory messages from colleagues.

The personal correspondence and related papers include photographs, newspaper clippings, and financial records related to Boese's family and social life. Boese's financial affairs are also documented in a group of correspondence concerning the salary and profit sharing increases associated with his promotions at 3M.

Boese's interest in art is reflected in correspondence, catalogs, and receipts related to his personal art purchases and rentals, and in a series of correspondence, minutes, and budgets related to the Saint Paul Art Center and its board of directors (1963-1969). There is also a folder entitled "Notes" containing brief essays by Boese on a variety of topics including art, anthropology, and ecology.

Location

Box

P2093

1

Biographical data, undated.


Location	Box
P2093	4	Correspondence, report data, and miscellaneous related papers, 1968-1974. 4 folders.
			1968
			1969-1970
			1971
			1972-1974

ALVIN W. BOESE:

DETAILED DESCRIPTION