As an introduction to the papers that will be dedicated in future editions of the journal to each of the archives conserved by the Dastu Department of Milan Polytechnic, mention is made of initiatives, which since the 1970s, have had the objective of identifying, studying and conserving primary sources relating to twentieth century design and teaching. The department also works to acquire, study and make use of personal records which document teaching and design in the last century, gravitating above all around the Milan Poly- technic. The length of the period covered and the variety of the types of record identify moments of cultural and technical history that were developing continuously, and saw different systems of drawing, both in terms of surveying and intermediate and final design.
Keywords: Archives; department; conservation