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.

Wilson Greatbatch, inventor of the implantable cardiac pacemaker (1996) Video footage documenting an “Innovative Lives” program presented by Wilson Greatbatch. Greatbatch demonstrates the circuitry of his implantable pacemaker and discusses his life as an inventor. Wilson Greatbatch invented and patented the implantable cardiac pacemaker in 1958. In 1970, he founded Wilson Greatbatch, Ltd. to develop and manufacture reliable, long-lived batteries for the implantable pacemaker. WGL produced the first lithium iodine battery for implantable pacemakers in 1972. 0.25 cu. ft.: 2 boxes containing original and master videos. See related article »