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.

Robert Studebaker, inventor of the LaserPlane (1998) Video history interview with Robert Studebaker, inventor of the LaserPlane, a modern alternative to the liquid level. The first model was introduced in 1965. LaserPlane models are located in the Museum’s Division of Science, Medicine, and Society collections. 0.25 cu. ft.:1 box containing original, master, and reference videos.