IPST 90th Anniversary Spotlight

This month's feature is a celebration of the 90th anniversary of the Institute of Paper Science and Technology. The Institute was established in 1929 in Appleton, Wisconsin to provide post-graduate education program to train and prepare students to work not only in the United States’ paper industry, but to lead the industry’s future. The Dard Hunter Paper Museum moved from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to Appleton, Wisconsin in 1955. From there the life of the Museum of Papermaking became tied to that of the Institute, still pursuing its mission to “stimulate interest in the ancient craft of papermaking and promote understanding of present-day paper.” 

The Institute continued to grow in Appleton until 1989 when it decided that such a world-class pulp and paper institute needed to be able to produce technologically excellent graduates who could also succeed in cross-disciplinary settings. This decision led to the Institute’s move from Wisconsin to Atlanta where it would be closely linked to the Georgia Institute of Technology, providing students with further research opportunities.  

Although the Institute moved 900 miles away, it maintained long-time traditions like the Bush Trip for incoming students. Led by faculty and staff, the Bush Trip provided students with exposure to the forestry side of the paper industry, as well as an understanding of the paper mills themselves. After moving to Atlanta, the Bush Trip continued as a shorter excursion to the paper mills of Florida. In 2003, the Institute of Paper Science and Technology officially merged with Georgia Tech, transforming into an interdisciplinary research institution. Now called the Renewable Bioproducts Institute, it continues to lead the way in advancing the science and engineering for biorefining forest and agricultural resources.  

We hope that you enjoyed this peek into the inner workings of the Museum! We'll be back next month with another artifact. Have a great June!