CONTRIBUTIONS ON THE HISTORY AND HERITAGE OF THE TREATISE ON INVERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY
ABSTRACT
The Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology project still ongoing over more than seventy years is a fine case study for the theme of this special issue on hidden histories in revision of paleontological collections. The history of the foundation and development of the Treatise is discussed together with an outline of how the project operates. Reference is made to those specialists who were contributors and gave of their expertise and time to create a monumental publication of over fifty volumes for the advancement of their science such as Raymond C. Moore who established the series in the 1940s.
A selection of hidden histories is provided related to four Treatise volumes and the organization of their planning and revision. Personal accounts provided by paleontologists who held the roles of director of the series and editors/contributors involved in revision of early Treatise volumes on specific groups of invertebrate fossils provide a unique perspective into the organization of these scientific works as well as reflection on their current status and future challenges.
This paper on the history and heritage of the Treatise aims to highlight the importance of the “blue, red and green volumes” within taxonomy and systematic invertebrate paleontology as a scientific heritage of the 20th century and underline the need for future research on the role of the Treatise project in the history of science from the mid twentieth century onwards because to date historiography of this field and practise related to setting standards for classification within invertebrate paleontology is lacking.