Oral & video history documentation

The Lemelson Center's oral and video history projects increase historical documentation on invention and innovation in the United States.
Above: Guitarist G.E. Smith is featured in the Electric Guitar Video Documentation Project. Smithsonian photo by Jeff Tinsley.

Full descriptions of the following collections may be found by searching the archives and manuscripts section of SIRIS, the Smithsonian Institution Research Information System. Unless otherwise noted, all collections are housed in the NMAH Archives Center. For further information, contact the Archives Center Reference Desk.

Oral & video history documentation is listed in alphabetical order by subject of interview. Date of interview is in parentheses.

Patricia Bath, inventor of the LaserPhaco laser eye surgery device (2000) Video footage documenting an Innovative Lives program by Patricia Bath, inventor of the LaserPhaco, an instrument that uses lasers to remove cataracts during eye surgery. Also includes interviews with her daughter, Eraka Bath. 0.50 cu. ft.: 2 boxes containing approximately 8.5 hours of original and reference videos. Go to Bath collection finding aid. See related article »