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.

Nathan Kane, inventor of low-distortion bellows folds (1997) Video footage documenting the Innovative Lives program presented by Nathan Kane, who, as an independent inventor, has designed a respirator mask and an improved method for making bellows; with partners, invented improved hydrostatic bearings for industry and created a playful new consumer product, the Pass-It™ Remote; and with a team of engineers, developed an opaque projector that's fun, safe, and easy for children to use. 0.50 cu. ft.: 3 boxes containing original, master, and reference videos. See related article »