Mary Purchase papers

Collection

Identifier: 23-19-3201

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Scope and content

Includes correspondence, publications, awards, and studies concerning Purchase's career and her work in household equipment, detergency (particularly related to the phosphate ban), child-guard safety packaging of household products, consumer use of microwave ovens, metrication, and energy use, consumers and the economy.

Scope and content

Also a caricature of Mary Purchase.

Dates

1937-1988.

Creator

Purchase, Mary E. (Mary Elizabeth), 1921- (Person)

Language of Materials

Collection material in English

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Professor of Textiles and Apparel, Cornell University.

Mary Purchase came to Cornell in 1945 as a graduate student in chemistry, having earned a bachelor's degree from Eastern Michigan University in education and mathematics. After completing her master' degree, she was an instructor for three years in the Department of Household Economics and Management in the College of Home Economics. In 1951, she left Cornell for Iowa State University, where she earned a Ph.D. in household equipment and chemistry in 1957.

She returned to Cornell in 1961 as an associate professor in the Department of Household Economics and Management. In 1969 she served as graduate faculty representative and department extension leader in the newly formed Department of Design and Environmental Analysis. In 1973, Dr. Purchase was named professor and with the 1985 reorganization, became a member of the Department of Textiles and Apparel. She retired in 1986 and became emeritus professor that same year.

Extent

1 cubic feet. (1 cubic feet.)

Additional Description

Abstract

Includes correspondence, publications, awards, and studies concerning Mary Purchase's career and her work on detergents, water quality, laundry, consumers and the economy.