UL Research Institutes

09/03/2026

Last year, we helped rescue the only remaining print of a 109-year-old fire prevention film called "An Unbeliever Convinced". This film was released on an obscure format called 28mm, an innovative type of safety film that was created by Pathé to compete against flammable nitrate stocks promoted by Kodak.

Working with the University of Maryland, the University of Southern California, and UL Research Institutes — who originally financed the film back in 1917! — the fragile and shrunken film was preserved, scanned, received a brand new score by composer Jon Mirsalis, and is tonight making its debut in a private screening at the Chicago History Museum. We've done a lot of work in this realm but this one really stands out!

You can see a minidoc about the film at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCD2C498Q94

P.S.: We will post a link to the scan of "Unbeliever Convinced" down the line — once it makes its official debut at the Cinecon Classic Film Festival, September 4th, in Los Angeles.

09/03/2026

In 2025, a brittle 28mm diacetate copy was discovered in the University of Maryland UMD Libraries archive. In a collaboration between Periscope Film LLC, the USC School of Cinematic Arts‬, and UL Research Institutes, the film has since been restored, digitized, and scored — saving it from joining the countless silent-era movies erased by time, neglect, and the fragility of early motion-picture formats.

Now, we're bringing a slice of our history to !

Our recently restored 1917 silent , “An Unbeliever Convinced,” will be shown this week at the 62nd Cinecon Classic Film Festival — the film’s first public screening in possibly 100 years.

The screening will take place at 8pm on Friday, September 4th, at the Landmark Nuart Theatre in West Los Angeles. It will include a live musical accompaniment of the newly commissioned, period-accurate score.

Check out the link in our bio to learn more about our silent film documentary here: https://youtu.be/KCD2C498Q94?si=Zce8onpxPOgfi2GJ

And to get your film festival tickets here: https://www.instagram.com/p/Dc1a37pFiE-/?img_index=1

09/03/2026

08/27/2026

Once lost to time, a rare silent film has found its way back to our organization.

Produced by Underwriters Laboratories in 1917, “An Unbeliever Convinced” chronicles a wealthy real estate owner’s disregard for fire safety and the tragic consequences that follow.

The film was screened by insurance organizations, fire departments, and educational groups for nearly a decade, but company records make no mention of its whereabouts after 1925.

Exactly 100 years later, the film resurfaced at the University of Maryland Libraries. It has since been restored, scored, and is once again available for public viewing.

“An Unbeliever Convinced” is a rare visual record of early 20th-century fire prevention, Chicago firefighting methods, and our organization’s use of storytelling to advance public safety – and we are pleased to reshare it with the world.

To learn more about the film’s century-long history and its passionate restoration, watch our short documentary now: https://youtu.be/KCD2C498Q94?si=ccl-XsvOppWyTTO1

An Unbeliever Convinced is a silent film from 1917 that was redisco...

08/27/2026

We are delighted to share the opening of a new exhibit installation at the Chicago History Museum - The Symbol of Safety: The Story of Underwriters Laboratories and the Creation of Safety Science.

Through historic artifacts, photographs, documents, and stories from the UL's archives, visitors will discover how testing and evaluation helped address emerging fire and electrical hazards, shaping modern approaches to risk reduction and consumer protection.

Along with a ribbon cutting, UL, CHM, and our valued partners celebrated the world premiere of a rare silent film about fire safety. Produced by Underwriters Laboratories in 1917, “An Unbeliever Convinced” chronicles a wealthy real estate owner’s disregard for fire safety and the tragic consequences that follow.

You can now go experience the exhibit starting August 26. Learn more at: https://www.chicagohistory.org/exhibition/chicago-crossroads-of-america/

To learn more about the film’s century-long history and its passionate restoration, watch our short documentary now: https://youtu.be/KCD2C498Q94?si=ccl-XsvOppWyTTO1

08/27/2026

08/14/2026

What’s your favorite icebreaker?

08/11/2026

Air quality and air pollution were major concerns when there was smoking in restaurants, smoggy skies, and concerns about the depletion of the ozone layer. Both air quality and air pollution are back in the news as continue to burn in Washington, Oregon and British Columbia.

Mark Wilson, the research director for the Center for Analytical & Exposure Science within our Chemical Insights Research Institute spoke with Emergency Mode for News on how air pollution from the burning of man-made materials and structures (homes, buildings, and cars) can be especially dangerous due to the resulting emissions.

Read more at the link.


https://emergencymode.news/best-practices-for-journalists-reporting-on-air-quality/?

Considerations to keep in mind as both air quality and air pollution are back in the news as wildfires continue to burn.

08/05/2026

What does testing for energy storage look like, especially when it comes to battery testing? We asked our Electrochemical Research Institute lead researcher, Dhev Kannan, to go behind the safety science of his day-to-day research.

07/30/2026

Spend the day with our intern Sydney, as she explores the 2026 ULRI Research Symposium hosted in Chicago earlier this month!