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.

Ashok Gadgil, inventor of UV Waterworks water purifier (1998) Interviews and other footage with Ashok Gadgil, inventor of UV Waterworks, a low-cost water purifier for developing countries. Includes Gadgil’s presentation in the Center’s “Innovative Lives” series with students from Jefferson Junior High School of Washington, D.C., and from Mary of Nazareth School and Nicholas Orem Middle School, both in Maryland. 0.50 cu. ft.: 3.5 document boxes containing original, master, and reference videos. See related article »