Warren Otto Goodwin (1891-1980) was born in Steuben County, Indiana. Goodwin was a partner in his father's sawmill company until his father died tragically in an automobile accident in 1937. The accident resulted in Warren's rise to the position of owner of the sawmill. It also apparently raised his life-long interest in automobile safety.

The Warren O. Goodwin papers is not solely concerned with traffic safety. Rather, the collection is largely concerned with his allegations of corruption in state and national politics during the 1940s and 1950s. Goodwin's problems began with the general economic decline in lumbering during the 1930s and 1940s. He tried to sell his business in 1942, and failed, so he initiated a partnership with one of his employees, Robert Curlew. Problems with this arrangement led Goodwin to return from California.

During the early 1950s he began having trouble with the Workmen's Compensation Commission. This was due to an interpretation in the law which stated that firms regularly employing less than four employees did not have to register with the Commission provided individual insurance was carried on the employees.

Later in the 1950s, Goodwin began to have trouble with the I.R.S. It was during this time that many I.R.S. agents were dismissed for embezzlement. Goodwin was one of the victims and sought redress through his legislators in Washington, D.C. Failing in this, he contacted the F.B.I. He obtained no satisfaction from this organization, made allegations of corruption, and wrote to Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson.

Goodwin also had trouble collecting social security from the Social Security Administration. This caused him to include this organization in his continuing battle for "justice".