The physicist, Emanuel Ruben Piore, emigrated from Vilnius, Lithuania, in 1917 at the age of 9. "Mannie," as he was known, became a naturalized citizen in 1924, and obtained both his BA and Ph.D. in physics from the University of Wisconsin. After gaining nearly ten years experience as a research physicist, first at the Radio Corporation of American then CBS laboratories, he went to work for the Navy, eventually becoming the first civilian to head the Office of Naval Research and playing a major role in the transition of American science from war to peace. Throughout his career, Piore strove to promote research through a close relationship between government, industry, and universities. IBM realized the importance of developing a strong research department and Piore's key role in this endeavor and offered him the position as their first Director of Research. At IBM he continued to encourage research by establishing the IBM Fellow program rewarded to top researchers. Piore held increasingly responsible positions at IBM becoming a vice president, group executive and finally Chief Scientist. He served as a member of IBM's advisory board well after he retired. The Piore papers contain material relating to his latter years at IBM as Vice President and Chief Scientist, as well as some of his time spent on the Board of Directors. In addition, there are materials, though sparse, concerning his work with the Navy. An extensive series of speeches and lectures illustrates Piore's commitment to scientific research and national policy. In addition to his professional correspondence, the papers contain material pertaining to Piore's involvement in professional organizations such as the National Academy of Engineering, National Academy of Science, Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research and the American Philosophical Society. A number of professional and personal photographs are also found within the papers.

Correspondence, notebooks, reports, legal documents, contracts, research data, publications, all of which relate to Goldstine's professional contributions as a professor of mathematics at the University of Chicago, 1936-1939 and University of Michigan, 1939-1950; United States Army, Lieutenant Colonel in charge of the governement development of the ENIAC and EDVAC computers, 1941-1945; Institute for Advanced Study, Assistant Project Director for electronic computer project, 1946-1958; International Business Machines Corporation: Director of Mathematical Sciences, Research 1958-1960; Director Mathematical Sciences Department, IBM Research, 1960-1965; Director of Scientific Development, Data Processing Division, 1965-1967; Consultant to Director of Research, 1967-1969; IBM Fellow, 1969-1984; American Philosophical Society, Executive Officer, 1984-1997. Dr. Goldstine's contributions to the development of the computer are documented in the collection, especially in relation to his work with John von Neumann.

These are chiefly working papers on subjects requiring statistical analysis and letters, reports, and papers relating to professional organizations. There is little personal material.