As the IRgA approaches its 100th anniversary, we have an incredible opportunity to look back at a century of change in our industry — and we need your help!
We are working to create a digital archive of IRgA and industry history, preserving some of the documents, photographs, equipment, and stories that show just how far our industry has come.
So, what do you have?
Take a look through those old filing cabinets, storage rooms, basements, and boxes. You might be surprised by what you find!
We're looking for things such as:
- Old Diazo, blueprint or reproduction documents
- Old price books and price lists
- IRgA directories, newsletters, meeting minutes or publications
- Photographs of shops, equipment, employees, or industry events
- Old advertisements, brochures and catalogues
- Photos or information about equipment that was once considered state of the art
- Historical company documents, letterhead or invoices
- Trade show programs, badges or memorabilia
- Newspaper or magazine articles about the industry
- Stories about people, companies or events that helped shape our industry
- And anything else that makes you think, "They don't do it like this anymore!"
Don't throw it out — let us know about it!
Our goal is to collect and digitize as much of this history as possible so that it can become part of the IRgA's 100th Anniversary archive and be preserved for future generations.
You don't necessarily have to part with your originals. If you have something interesting, send us a photo or a brief description of what you have, and we'll determine how best to use it!
And don't worry if you're not sure whether something is important enough. Send us details anyway. Sometimes the everyday items — an old price sheet, a photograph of a shop floor, or a piece of equipment everyone once used — tell the best stories.
After 100 years, there are a lot of stories worth preserving.
What piece of IRgA or industry history is hiding in your shop? Click here and fill out the easy form with a brief description of what you have, and we'll be in touch!