The Attic Archive evolved organically from the activities of Pete Horobin, beginning in 1978. When Horobin's association ended, the archive was continued in turn by Marshall Anderson, Peter Haining and, lastly, aitch. Each change of custody coincided with the start of a new phase of activity, each phase undertaken, usually, over ten years.

The papers of the Attic Archive are now dispersed through various cultural institutions, each having a particular association with the archive, as shown in the chart attached to this record under 'External Documents'.

Broadly, the history of the archive may be summarised as follows:

1978-1979. Early projects of Pete Horobin, including 'The Accessibility of the Art Object', and 'Junk into art/Art into Junk'.

1980-1989. The DATA (Daily Action Time Archive) project, of Pete Horobin.

1990-1999. The part of the archive described here, Acc.13227, is mainly the papers of Marshall Anderson, though there are some slight overlaps with some pre-1989 projects by Pete Horobin, especially 'DATA'. However, the majority of the materials described here represent the activities of Marshall Anderson and comprise journals, associated drawings, correspondence and the collaborative bookworks. Among these are significant files of letters and works by artists including Alec Finlay, Andy Stenhouse, Chris Crozier, George Wylie, Lotte Glob and Rob Fairley. Also included are papers, 1994–2010, relating to the Room 13 project.

2000-2005 (Ireland), 2006-2009 (Scotland). The work and activities of Peter Haining, in particular "HIBERNIA – Haining’s Irish Biketour in Eire and Round Northern Ireland Arts".