Bureau of Engraving and Printing
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Bureau of Engraving and Printing is a U.S. Department of the Treasury bureau responsible for designing and producing security documents and obsolete currency for the United States. The bureau was established in 1862 and has since become a leading authority in intaglio printing and security features for banknotes and other secure documents. With a rich history spanning over 150 years, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing has produced U.S. currency, passports, and various other secure documents for the U.S. government. The bureau's work is critical to the nation's financial security and economic stability.
History
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing was founded on August 2, 1862, as a division of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, with Salmon P. Chase, the Secretary of the Treasury at the time, authorizing the bureau's creation. The bureau's first facility was located in Washington, D.C., and its initial mission was to engrave and print U.S. currency, including United States Notes and gold certificates. Over the years, the bureau has evolved to produce a wide range of secure documents, including passports, visas, and stamps. Notable events in the bureau's history include the production of the first United States Federal Reserve Note in 1914 and the introduction of Advanced Secure Paper in the 1990s.
Production process
The bureau uses a combination of intaglio printing and offset printing to produce its secure documents. The production process begins with design and engraving, which involves creating intaglio plates for printing. The bureau's engravers use specialized tools and techniques to create intricate designs and security features, such as watermarks, holograms, and color-shifting ink. The bureau produces a wide range of secure documents, including U.S. currency, passports, and stamps, which are used by various U.S. government agencies, including the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Postal Service.
Security features
The bureau incorporates various security features into its secure documents to prevent counterfeiting and ensure their authenticity. Some of these features include watermarks, holograms, color-shifting ink, and microprinting. The bureau also uses Advanced Secure Paper, which is designed to prevent tampering and alteration. For example, U.S. currency features a security thread that glows under ultraviolet (UV) light, and passports feature a polycarbonate data page that is resistant to tampering.
Facilities
The bureau operates two facilities, one in Washington, D.C., and the other in Fort Worth, Texas. The Washington, D.C. facility is the bureau's headquarters and is responsible for design, engraving, and printing. The Fort Worth, Texas facility is responsible for printing and processing U.S. currency and other secure documents. Both facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art printing equipment and security features to ensure the integrity and security of the bureau's products.
Leadership and organization
The bureau is led by a Director, who is appointed by the Secretary of the Treasury. The Director is responsible for overseeing the bureau's operations and strategic planning. The bureau is organized into several divisions, including Engraving, Printing, and Security. The bureau also has a Research and Development division, which is responsible for innovating new security features and printing techniques. Notable directors of the bureau include M.F. Morris, who served as director from 1870 to 1884, and A.F. Corcoran, who served as director from 1914 to 1926.
In popular culture
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing has been featured in various films, television shows, and books. For example, the bureau was featured in the film "National Treasure: Book of Secrets" (2007), which depicted the bureau's vault and printing processes. The bureau has also been featured in various documentaries and news programs, highlighting its critical role in producing secure documents for the U.S. government. Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury, played a significant role in the establishment of the bureau, and his legacy continues to be celebrated through the bureau's work.