Soddy re-read and sorted many of these papers during 1952-1956, in some cases apparently intending to resume work on certain inventions and patents, as well as to provide information for his executor or biographer. He left the papers in bundles or envelopes, with notes on their contents.

Though neither Lord Fleck in his Biographical Memoir for the Royal Society, nor Mrs. Howorth in her biography, made great use of this material, it is probable that the contents of the envelopes have been disturbed, and some of them removed. Loose papers on various projects and patent rights dealing with the 1914-1918 period, and the related correspondence, were found elsewhere in the collection.