The Division of Electricity and Modern Physics traces its origins back to 1938. In that year a Section of Electricity and Communications was established in the United States National Museum's Department of Engineering and Industries, Division of Engineering. In 1947 it became the Section of Electricity; in 1958, the Division of Electricity. In 1969 the Division was renamed the Division of Electricity and Nuclear Energy, which became the Division of Electricity and Modern Physics in 1978; and later, in 1995, the Division of Information Technology and Society. In 2009 the curatorial staff of the Division of Information Technology and Society was disbanded, with modern physics becoming part of the Division of Medicine and Science and electricity transferred to the Division of Work and Industry.
Curators have included Frank A. Taylor, Curator in charge, 1938-1947; Carl Weaver Mitman (acting) 1943-1946; Kenneth M. Perry, Associate Curator, 1948-1955; W. James King, Jr., Associate Curator, 1956-1958, Curator (acting), 1958-1960; Robert P. Multhauf, Curator (acting), 1961-1962; Bernard S. Finn, Associate Curator, 1963-1964, Curator, 1965- ; and Paul Forman, Associate Curator, 1972-1975, Curator, 1976-2012.
For many years the Division's interest lay in applications of electricity such as Aaron Vail's telegraph and the industrial system which grew from the ready availability of electric power. More recently it has turned its attention to nuclear energy and the broader effects of modern physics on society.
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Agency History. Record 218129
