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.

Lamson cash carrier video documentation (1995) Video documentation of the Lamson cash carrier system in operation at a Penn Yan, New York department store. The cash carrier was invented in the late-19th century as a business tool. It provided a mechanical means for moving cash, sales slips, and change, by way of overhead wires, between the sales clerks and the cashier. 0.5 cu. ft.: 2 boxes containing original, master, and reference videos. See related article »