Sample Storage Systems was formed in 1982 in Adelaide, South Australia after a request by a local oil company to design a permanent storage and library reference system for oilfield drilling samples. A packing system was also needed to keep the samples together. The system was packaged to handle an average sampling requirement for an 8,000-foot oil or gas exploration well. The original small tray version consisted of 102 sample trays or 510 samples (sample size per tray 20-25 grams), and plywood storage box.

This system was designed to overcome several problems in sample collection and storage. The thin plastic and paper envelopes previously used were found to be non-transparent for viewing purposes, often split, were lost, frequently too bulky for efficient storage, and difficult to access for in-house geological reviews.

Sample Storage Systems address these issues.

The sample trays are manufactured in a durable plastic called GP Styrene, which has excellent clarity for microscopic examination, and the
fluorescence in oilfield samples can be reliably seen under ultraviolet light. The trays are stackable, allow easy access, reasonably strong, and will not deteriorate over long storage periods. The wooden sample storage boxes hold the sample trays securely and are also stackable and durable.
This system is a definite improvement on the paper and plastic envelopes previously used which proved to have very a short shelf life.

The large five compartment tray (54 sample trays or 270 samples in the same plywood storage box) was manufactured after requests from mining companies who liked the concept but thought the in the original, smaller tray too small. The large tray
holds approximately 50 grams per tray of washed and dried sample. Other customers who use this system include coin collectors, embroiderers, fishermen, fossil collectors, prospectors, and mineral museums.