Historical Photo of the Month - November 2007

JPL Stores
Photograph Number JB-1117A

Prior to December 1952, each department or section of JPL purchased and controlled all materials used by its personnel. In 1953, as the Lab expanded to include more than 1,000 employees, all stocking operations were standardized. The photo above was taken in 1954, when JPL Central Stores was located in building 126, then known as "the warehouse." Clayton Dodge, left, worked at the counter, distributing office supplies and hand tools. Richard Wells, right, was in charge of Central Stores. Central Stores also provided delivery service from the Receiving department to all parts of the Lab.

By July 1953 the Stores Department (Section 74) had consolidated Central Stores with Maintenance and Builders Supply, the Salvage Group, as well as the Metal, Mechanics, Plumbing, Electrical, Electronics, and Missile Stores.

In May 1994, JPL implemented the Just-In-Time (JIT) Acquisition System and changed the way supplies were purchased for the Lab. It began with computer software. Employees placed electronic orders which were quickly sent to vendors, and the software would be delivered in about two days, rather than two weeks or more, as it was under the old system. The Receiving department started using bar code scanners, which helped them provide prompt delivery. Office supplies, janitorial supplies, electronic parts, and other items were soon added. Although some items, such as electronic parts for spacecraft and instruments, can still be found on Lab, many supplies are now ordered using iProcurement, the application that replaced JIT.

For more information about the history of JPL, contact the JPL Archives for assistance. [Archival sources: Photo album and index, various issues of Lab-Oratory and Universe.]