The Special Reports constitute Strahan's outstanding achievement as Director. Bailey called them 'modern Domesday Book dealing with the country's resources of minerals, other than coal'. They were published as volumes numbered according to order of issue. The series was started as part of the War effort, however Strahan tells us, the driver was not only the 'shortage of some materials as a result of the War, but also an expectation of fuller utilization of home-sources after the War.' A successful series that provided 37 volumes, many running to second and third editions. The series ceased in 1956.