Finding Aid
Submit Reference RequestPrintDownload PDF

Reference Request

* required
Please succinctly provide us with any information pertinent to your inquiry. If you are writing to us about a research request, provide as much detail as possible about the collections in which you are interested (including collection numbers, box numbers, and folder titles).
(if known)

The Smithsonian Institution Archives is using Constant Contact, a third-party contact management software vendor, to manage contacts and send eNewsletters. Please be advised that Constant Contact's Privacy Statement and Terms and Conditions apply to your use of these services. The Smithsonian Institution Archives has access to your name and email address which is subject to our privacy statement.

Finding Aids to Personal Papers and Special Collections in the Smithsonian Institution Archives

Record Unit 7137

Drake, Carl J. (Carl John), 1885-1965

Carl John Drake Papers, 1930-1945

Repository:Smithsonian Institution Archives, Washington, D.C. Contact us at osiaref@si.edu.
Creator:Drake, Carl J. (Carl John), 1885-1965
Title:Carl John Drake Papers
Dates:1930-1945
Quantity:1.5 cu. ft. (1 record storage box) (1 document box)
Collection:Record Unit 7137
Language of Materials:English
Summary:

These papers consist of notebooks recording results of a pest mosquito and black fly control project in Iowa, 1933-1934 and fourteen reels of film documenting various features of Carl John Drake's work with grasshopper and chinch-bug control programs in Iowa and Argentina.

Historical Note

Carl John Drake (1885-1965) was born and educated in Ohio. He taught zoology and entomology at Ohio State University, 1913-1915; Syracuse University, 1915-1922; and became head of the Department of Zoology and Entomology at Iowa State University in 1922. There he also served as head of the Entomology Section of the Agricultural Experiment Station and as State Entomologist. His knowledge of farming helped him to solve many problems related to controlling the grasshopper, chinch-bug, and other insect pests. Drake served on several national entomological organizations and headed the Tucara (grasshopper) Commission to Argentina in 1938-1939. In 1957 Drake joined the United States National Museum as an Honorary Research Associate, in which position he performed much valuable work, especially in tingid studies.

Top of Page

Introduction

This finding aid was digitized with funds generously provided by the Smithsonian Institution Women's Committee.

Top of Page

Descriptive Entry

These papers consist of notebooks recording results of a pest mosquito and black fly control project in Iowa, 1933-1934 and fourteen reels of film documenting various features of Carl John Drake's work with grasshopper and chinch-bug control programs in Iowa and Argentina.

Top of Page

Preferred Citation

Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 7137, Carl John Drake Papers

Top of Page

Container List

Series 1

Reports and Lists.

Box 1

"Pictorial Report: Pest Mosquito and Black Fly Control in Iowa," 1933-1934. Two looseleaf notebooks with typed text detailing efforts to abate breeding of subject insects, made under state and federal grants during 1933 and 1934; text supplemented by photographs and maps.

Box 1 of 2

Pacific Science Association List of Entomologists of the Pacific Area, December 1955

Box 1 of 2

Series 2

Films, circa 1930-1945.

Box 2

"Chinch Bug Control in Iowa," original and copy, three reels each; 16 mm black-and-white; no sound; photographed and edited by Drake and George Clemens Drake; film depicts procedures for studying life cycle of chinch bug and for devising effective control techniques; produced by Iowa State Department of Agriculture and Extension Service Iowa State College, probably for use among farmers and other interested parties, n.d.

Box 2 of 2

"Grasshoppers in Iowa," produced for Agricultural Extension Service by Visual Instruction Service, Iowa State College; three reels black-and-white; no sound; n.d.; depicts control measures used to deal with grasshopper menace; likely intended for educational use among farmers.

Box 2 of 2

Film of Drake's trip to Argentina in 1938-1939 to advise on dealing with grasshopper infestations there; five reels; original black-and-white; no sound.

Box 2 of 2

Top of Page