Papers of Derek Guttery

The papers of Derek Guttery contain material relating to the history of X-ray and radiology, particularly in the U.K. The papers include a substantial collection of trade literature for X-ray equipment produced by a variety of manufacturers both in the U.K. and abroad. In addition, there are many subject files compiled by Derek Guttery in the course of his research into many aspects of the history of X-ray, including files on early X-ray pioneers, early equipment, the "Radiation Martyrs", Röntgen and the discovery of X-rays. The collection also includes Guttery's 'library' of images relating to many aspects of X-ray history. Lastly, there is also material relating to Guttery's career, including a significant amount of material relating to General Radiological Ltd and to Non-Destructive Testing. This section also includes material relating to Guttery's post-retirement activities, including his work in the library and archives of the British Institute of Radiology.

Derek Guttery was born on 29th January, 1930 in Iver, Buckinghamshire, the son of Wing Commander T.E. Guttery and Mrs A. Guttery. He was educated at schools in Iver and Reading, leaving school in 1948 with a School Certificate.

From 1949-1951 Guttery spent his National Service in the Royal Air Force, specialising in the field of explosives. Guttery first came into contact with the field of radiography at the National Institute for Research in Dairying at Shinfield, Berkshire, where he worked as a voluntary worker in veterinary radiography. After this time he went on to work in the Department of Medical Radiography and Photography at the Lister Hospital, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, from 1952-1957. During this period, he gained the Diploma of the Society of Radiographers (M.S.R. Diagnostic) in 1955.

In 1957 Guttery moved to D. Napier & Son, a flight development company, at Luton Airport. Here he worked initially as a radiographer to the metallurgy division, rising to become radiologist in charge, a post which involved working in the filed of Non-Destructive Testing. Guttery then transferred to the electromedical company General Radiological Ltd in 1961, initially as a technical representative covering the East Anglia Region, and subsequently as head of Technical Liaison in the marketing division and supervisor of the X-ray planning and special projects department, One of the most interesting projects he oversaw in this period was at London Zoo where he worked on the design of a unique X-ray department to enable animals to be X-rayed with state of the art equipment.

Guttery married Iris in 1964, and in 1974 they had a son, Simon. Guttery joined Wells Krautkramer, a firm specialising in non-destructive testing, in July 1967, with the brief to establish an X-ray sales and service department. He managed this successfully, liaising with various manufacturers of X-ray equipment, including Philips in Hamburg. He very quickly established a reputation as a source of expertise on the subject, especially the very technical aspects of X-ray tube technology.

After retiring from Wells Krautkramer, Guttery became heavily involved in working as a volunteer helper at the British Institute of Radiology Library and Archives. In addition to this, he pursued his passionate interest in the history of X-ray, setting up his private office and darkroom from where he conducted his meticulous research into many aspects of the history of X-ray and assembled a 'library'; of images on the subject.

Guttery died on 16th May 1999. He is remembered for being a prolific collector of all things X-ray related and an expert authority on the history of early radiology.

The material is arranged into the following series:

• GUT/1 Trade Literature
• GUT/2 Trade Journals
• GUT/3 Historical Files
• GUT/4 Image Collection
• GUT/5 Material relating to Derek Guttery's Career
• GUT/6 Personal Material

The collection is open to any accredited reader.

The collection includes material which is subject to the Data Protection Act 1998. Under Section 33 of the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA), The University of Manchester Library (UML) holds the right to process personal data for research purposes. The Data Protection (Processing of Sensitive Personal Data) Order 2000 enables the UML to process sensitive personal data for research purposes. In accordance with the DPA, UML has made every attempt to ensure that all personal and sensitive personal data has been processed fairly, lawfully and accurately. Users of the archive are expected to comply with the Data Protection Act 1998, and will be required to sign a form acknowledging that they will abide by the requirements of the Act in any further processing of the material by themselves.

Open parts of this collection, and the catalogue descriptions, may contain personal data about living individuals. Some items in this collection may be closed to public inspection in line with the requirements of the DPA. Restrictions/closures of specific items will be indicated in the catalogue.

The papers were donated to the John Rylands University Library in 1999 by Mrs Iris Guttery.

Photocopies and photographic copies of material in the archive can be supplied for private study purposes only, depending on the condition of the documents.

A number of items within the archive remain within copyright under the terms of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988; it is the responsibility of users to obtain the copyright holder's permission for reproduction of copyright material for purposes other than research or private study.

Prior written permission must be obtained from the Library for publication or reproduction of any material within the archive. Please contact the Head of Special Collections, John Rylands Library, 150 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 3EH.

The collection included a great deal of photocopied articles and other publications. A proportion of this has been removed from the collection.

See also the Ian Isherwood Papers ( ISH), which includes a range of material relating to the history of radiology.

The British Institute of Radiology archive (Archon: 1970) has material relevant to the history of radiology in the UK, which Guttery used in connection with his own collection.