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.

Newman Darby, inventor of the sailboard (1999) Video footage documenting an Innovative Lives program by Newman Darby, who invented windsurfing in 1964 when he connected a sail to a board by means of a universal rope joint. The sailboard was ultimately patented by Hoyle Schweitzer and Jim Drake in 1970 and became known as windsurfer. Darby is interviewed about windsurfing and his invention and development of the sailboard as part of an “Innovative Lives” program. 18 videocassettes. Go to Darby collection finding aid. See related article »