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Guide to the Clarence E. Larson Science and Technology Oral History collection, 1983-1993 Clarence E. Larson Science and Technology Oral History C0079

Guide to the Clarence E. Larson Science and Technology Oral History collection, 1983-1993

A Collection in
Special Collections and Archives
Collection Number C0079


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George Mason University Libraries

2006 By George Mason University Libraries. All rights reserved.

Processed by: Special Collections and Archives Staff

Repository
George Mason University. Special Collections and Archives.
Collection number
C0079
Title
Clarence E. Larson Science and Technology Oral History collection 1983-1993
URL:
http://sca.gmu.edu/finding_aids/
Physical Characteristics
3 linear feet (5 boxes)
Creator
Clarence E. Larson
Language
English
Abstract
This collection contains 49 videotape cassettes, some of which have been copied to DVD, featuring interviews with famous scientists and historians of twentieth-century technology conducted by Clarence E. Larson.

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Clarence E. Larson Science and Technology Oral History collection, Accession #C0079, Special Collections and Archives, George Mason University.

Acquisition Information

Collection donated by Clarence Larson in 1993.

Processing Information

Processed by Special Collections and Archives staff. EAD markup completed by Eron Ackerman and Jordan Patty in March 2009.

Biographical Information

Chemist Clarence E. Larson (1909-1999) was born in Cloquet, Minnesota. He graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Chemistry and completed his Ph.D. work at the University of California at Berkeley. Larson was one of the talented American scientists working on the Manhattan Project during World War II. Later he served as a director at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, a member of the Atomic Energy Commission, and an executive at Union Carbide. Dr Larson was a recipient of the Distinguished Achievement Award of the American Society for the Advancement of Science. He was also a member of the American Nuclear Society, the American Institute of Chemists, the American Chemical Society, and the Cosmos Club.

Scope and Content

This collection contains 49 videotape cassettes, some of which have been copied to DVD, featuring interviews with famous scientists and historians of twentieth-century technology conducted by Clarence E. Larson.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged alphabetically by surname of interviewee.

Related Material

Special Collections and Archives also holds other science and technology collections, such as the Harold Morowitz papers and the Carol D. Litchfield Microbiology collection.

Index Terms

    Subjects:

  • Science--History--20th century.
  • Technology.

Adjunct Descriptive Data

Significant Persons Associated With the Collection

  • Clarence E. Larson
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Contents List

Larson Clarence Collection
  • box: 1
    Abelson, Phil (1913-2004) 12-20-83

    Co-discoverer of the first transuranic element. Inventor of thermal diffusion for uranium isotope production. Bethesda, MD. 17 minutes.

  • box: 1
    Agnew, Harold, UCSD (1921- ) 12-21-83

    Crew of the first sustaining reactor. Fermi Award winner. La Jolla, CA. 11 minutes.

  • box: 1
    Alvarez, Luis (1911-1988) 3-13-84

    Inventor of ground control radar. Developer of high energy linear accelerators. Nobel Prize winner.

  • box: 1
    Arnold, William

    Originator of the word fission, while he worked with Niels Bohr in Copenhagen in 1938.

  • box: 1
    Atanasoff, John V. (1903-1995)
  • box: 1
    Bacher, Robert (1905-2004)

    Pioneer in nuclear energy research.

  • box: 1
    Backus, John (1924- )
  • box: 1
    Bechtel, Steve Sr. (1900-1989) 7-10-84

    San Francisco, CA. 30 minutes.

  • box: 1
    Blueprint for Space- Science Fiction to Science Fact- Hosted by Astronaut Alan Shepard
  • box: 1
    Brobeck, William (1908-1998)
  • box: 1
    Calvin, Melvin (1911-1997)

    Berkeley, CA. 25 minutes.

  • box: 1
    Clarke, C. Arthur- "A Failed Recluse" (1917- ) copy
  • box: 1
    Cohen, Karl
  • box: 2
    Delbecco, Rene 3-25-86

    La Jolla, CA. 25 minutes.

  • box: 2
    Djerassi, Dr. Carl (1923- ) 7-12-84

    Copies 1, 2

  • box: 2
    Edgerton, H.E. (1889-1990)
  • box: 2
    Eklund, Dr. Sigurd 4-30-84

    Bethesda, MD. 18 minutes.

  • box: 2
    Glennan, Dr. Keith (1905-1995)
  • box: 2
    Goldschmidt, Dr. Bertrand (1913-2002) 12-7-83

    Nuclear pioneer starting with work with Madam Curie. Bethesda, MD. 18 minutes.

  • box: 2
    Hafstad, Dr. Lawrence (1904-1993)

    Discoverer of delayed Neutrons. 41 minutes.

  • box: 2
    Hoff, Dr. Ted (1937- ) 12-22-88
  • box: 2
    Hollaender, Dr. Alexander (1898-1997) 12-20-83

    Bethesda, MD. 16 minutes.

  • box: 2
    Hurd, Cuthbert (1911-1996)

    Pioneer in computer science. Started IBM computer project.

  • box: 2
    Jukes, Thomas (1906-1999)
  • box: 2
    Kamen, Dr. Martin (1913-2002) 3-24-86

    Santa Barbara, CA. 14 minutes.

  • box: 3
    Magoun, Dr. Horace (1907-1991) 8-20-84

    Los Angeles, CA.

  • box: 3
    McMillan, Dr. Edwin (1907-1991) 3-15-84

    Co-discoverer of Neptunium and Plutonium. Nobel prize winner. Inventor of synchrotron.

  • box: 3
    Nichols, Kenneth David (1907-2000) 11-6-85

    General manager of the Manhattan Project. General manager of the Atomic Energy Commission. Bethesda, MD. 20 minutes.

  • box: 3
    Oliphant, Dr. Mark (1901-2000) 11-3-88

    Bethesda, MD.20 minutes.

  • box: 3
    Packard, David (1912-1996) 3-15-84

    Co-Founder of Hewlitt-Packard Corporation. Deputy Secretary of Defense.Copy 1.

  • box: 3
    Pauling, Linus (1901-1994) 2-12-93

    Chemical bond theory. Winner of two Nobel Prizes. Copy 1 (Cassette 1 of 2)

  • box: 3
    Pauling, Linus

    Chemical bond theory. Winner of two Nobel Prizes. Cassette 2 of 2.

  • box: 3
    Peierls, Rudolph (1907-1995) 4-25-89

    Bethesda, MD. 27 minutes.

  • box: 3
    Pioneers- Djerassi, Hollifield, Goldschmidt, Bechtel, Packardi, and Pauling
  • box: 3
    Rush, Dr. Kenneth 11-6-85

    Bethesda, MD. 19 minutes.

  • box: 3
    Schawlow, Dr. Arthur (1921-1999) 10-28-84

    Palo Alto, CA. 28 minutes.

  • box: 3
    Seaborg, Dr. Glenn (1927-1999) 12-29-93

    Co-discoverer of Plutonium. Nobel Prize winer. Discovery of many transuranic elements. Copy 1.

  • box: 3
    Segre, Emilio (1905-1989) 3-20-84

    Discovery of slow Neutrons and anti-proton. Nobel Prize winer. Copy 1.

  • box: 4
    Singer, S. Fred (1924- )

    Pioneer in space research.

  • box: 4
    Starr, Dr. Chauncey (1912- ) 12-20-85

    Palo Alto, CA. 28 minutes.

  • box: 4
    Stehling, Dr. Kurtiz
  • box: 4
    Tape, Dr. Gerald (1915-1905) 4-30-84

    Fundamental research on radar and nuclear science. Bethesda, MD. 23 minutes.

  • box: 4
    Taylor, Lauriston (1902-2004)

    Pioneer in radiation reseaech.

  • box: 4
    Teller, Dr.Edward (1908-2003) 12-29-83

    Pioneer in nuclear theory. Fermi Award Winner. Copy 1.

  • box: 4
    Townes, Dr. Charles (1915- ) 3-21-84

    Inventor of Maser-Laser Principle.Nobel Prize winner. Copy 1.

  • box: 4
    Weinberg, Alvin (1915-2006) 3-21-84

    Washington, D.C. 12 minutes.

  • box: 4
    White, Dr. Robert 4-25-89

    Development of modern weather forecasting. President of National Academy of Engineering. Bethesda, MD. 27 minutes.

  • box: 4
    Wigner, E.P. (1902-1995) 3-4-86

    Instrumental with Szilard in persuading President Roosevelt to start Nuclear Energy Project. Nobel Prize winner in Physics.

  • box: 5
    DVD Copies

    DVD copies of many of the interviews.

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