Censuses of Manufactures

The Census of Manufactures was first taken in 1810 as part of the 3rd decennial census of the United States. It was part of the decennial census from 1810-1900, except for the year 1830 when no canvass was made. The first separate census of manufactures took place in 1905. It was then done every five years from 1905-1919 (1909 and 1919 were part of the 1910 and 1920 decennial censuses) and biennially thereafter from 1921 to 1939 (1929 and 1939 are part of the 1930 and 1940 decennial censuses). Interrupted by World War II, the census of manufactures began again in 1947 and lasted through 1992. Starting in 1997, it is scheduled to be taken every five years for the years ending in "7" and "2". [1998 Guide to U.S. Government Publications, p. 106.]