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.

"Quartermaster Corps: Outfitted to Fight" video documentation (1995) From mukluks and arctic sleeping bags to rot-resistant boots and mosquito-proof jungle hammocks, the Quartermaster Corps combined new materials with innovative thinking during World War II to create gear for the combat soldier's life in the field. In 1995, the Lemelson Center hosted a reunion of members of the Quartermaster Corps research division. Lt. Col. Edward L. Heller, AUS, Ret., spoke about the inventive research and development work of the Quartermasters and Dr. Steven Anders, the historian for the Corps, led a panel discussion with other members of the R&D staff. Examples of the Quartermasters' work, now part of the Museum’s military history collections, were on display during the session. Discussions focused on their experiences of combining new materials with innovative thinking. 0.25 cu. ft.: 2 boxes containing original, master, and reference videos. See related article »