From Introduction: "Work on this project was begun early in 1944; and the results with respect to shale oil are reported in this Bulletin. Since this bulletin is only an index to this large repository of ideas relating to the the treatment of shale oil, the material is presented in the form of short notices describing the subject material of each patent, which consist of an abridgment of the patent (if British or Australian) or a typical claim in the case of the United States or foreign patents."

Letter from Daniel W. Kempner to Isaac H. Kempner and the rest of the Kempner family discussing his meetings with cotton companies in Europe and his travels afterwards. He also mentions him to keep writing the letters.