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.

Chuck Hoberman, inventor of expandable domes and spheres (1996) Video documenting the “Innovative Lives” program presented by Chuck Hoberman, inventor of expandable geodesic domes and spheres. Hoberman invented the Hoberman Sphere, Iris Dome, and a collapsible frisbee, tent and briefcase. Hoberman's intriguing creations, based on both basic geometry and complex mathematics, solve problems or offer opportunities in the real world. In 1990, Hoberman founded his own company, Hoberman Associates, Inc. 0.25 cu. ft.: 2 boxes containing original videos. See related article »