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

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

Clarence E. Larson Science and Technology Oral History


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George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center

Fenwick Library, MS2FL
4400 University Dr.
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
Business Number: 703-993-2220
Fax Number: 703-993-8911
speccoll@gmu.edu
URL: https://scrc.gmu.edu

Eron Ackerman

Repository
George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center
Identification
C0079
Title
Clarence E. Larson Science and Technology Oral History collection 1983-1993
URL:
http://sca.gmu.edu/finding_aids/larson.html
Quantity
3 Linear Feet, (5 boxes)
Creator
Larson, Clarence E. (Clarence Edward), 1909-
Language
English .
Abstract
This collection contains 49 VHS 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

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Preferred Citation

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

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 VHS 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.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

  • Interviews
  • Oral histories
  • Science -- History -- 20th century
  • Technology
  • Video recordings

Significant Persons Associated With the Collection

  • Larson, Clarence E. (Clarence Edward), 1909-
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Container List

Clarence E. Larson Collection
  • Mixed Materials box: 1
    Abelson, Phil (1913-2004)
    12-20-83
    Scope and Contents note

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

  • Mixed Materials box: 1
    Agnew, Harold, UCSD (1921- )
    12-21-83
    Scope and Contents note

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

  • Mixed Materials box: 1
    Alvarez, Luis (1911-1988)
    3-13-84
    Scope and Contents note

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

  • Mixed Materials box: 1
    Arnold, William
    Scope and Contents note

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

  • Mixed Materials box: 1
    Atanasoff, John V. (1903-1995)
  • Mixed Materials box: 1
    Bacher, Robert (1905-2004)
    Scope and Contents note

    Pioneer in nuclear energy research.

  • Mixed Materials box: 1
    Backus, John (1924- )
  • Mixed Materials box: 1
    Bechtel, Steve Sr. (1900-1989)
    7-10-84
    Scope and Contents note

    San Francisco, CA. 30 minutes.

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

    Berkeley, CA. 25 minutes.

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

    La Jolla, CA. 25 minutes.

  • Mixed Materials box: 2
    Djerassi, Dr. Carl (1923- )
    7-12-84
    Scope and Contents note

    Copies 1, 2

  • Mixed Materials box: 2
    Edgerton, H.E. (1889-1990)
  • Mixed Materials box: 2
    Eklund, Dr. Sigurd
    4-30-84
    Scope and Contents note

    Bethesda, MD. 18 minutes.

  • Mixed Materials box: 2
    Glennan, Dr. Keith (1905-1995)
  • Mixed Materials box: 2
    Goldschmidt, Dr. Bertrand (1913-2002)
    12-7-83
    Scope and Contents note

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

  • Mixed Materials box: 2
    Hafstad, Dr. Lawrence (1904-1993)
    Scope and Contents note

    Discoverer of delayed Neutrons. 41 minutes.

  • Mixed Materials box: 2
    Hoff, Dr. Ted (1937- )
    12-22-88
  • Mixed Materials box: 2
    Hollaender, Dr. Alexander (1898-1997)
    12-20-83
    Scope and Contents note

    Bethesda, MD. 16 minutes.

  • Mixed Materials box: 2
    Hurd, Cuthbert (1911-1996)
    Scope and Contents note

    Pioneer in computer science. Started IBM computer project.

  • Mixed Materials box: 2
    Jukes, Thomas (1906-1999)
  • Mixed Materials box: 2
    Kamen, Dr. Martin (1913-2002)
    3-24-86
    Scope and Contents note

    Santa Barbara, CA. 14 minutes.

  • Mixed Materials box: 3
    Magoun, Dr. Horace (1907-1991)
    8-20-84
    Scope and Contents note

    Los Angeles, CA.

  • Mixed Materials box: 3
    McMillan, Dr. Edwin (1907-1991)
    3-15-84
    Scope and Contents note

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

  • Mixed Materials box: 3
    Nichols, Kenneth David (1907-2000)
    11-6-85
    Scope and Contents note

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

  • Mixed Materials box: 3
    Oliphant, Dr. Mark (1901-2000)
    11-3-88
    Scope and Contents note

    Bethesda, MD.20 minutes.

  • Mixed Materials box: 3
    Packard, David (1912-1996)
    3-15-84
    Scope and Contents note

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

  • Mixed Materials box: 3
    Pauling, Linus (1901-1994)
    2-12-93
    Scope and Contents note

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

  • Mixed Materials box: 3
    Pauling, Linus
    Scope and Contents note

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

  • Mixed Materials box: 3
    Peierls, Rudolph (1907-1995)
    4-25-89
    Scope and Contents note

    Bethesda, MD. 27 minutes.

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

    Bethesda, MD. 19 minutes.

  • Mixed Materials box: 3
    Schawlow, Dr. Arthur (1921-1999)
    10-28-84
    Scope and Contents note

    Palo Alto, CA. 28 minutes.

  • Mixed Materials box: 3
    Seaborg, Dr. Glenn (1927-1999)
    12-29-93
    Scope and Contents note

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

  • Mixed Materials box: 3
    Segre, Emilio (1905-1989)
    3-20-84
    Scope and Contents note

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

  • Mixed Materials box: 4
    Singer, S. Fred (1924- )
    Scope and Contents note

    Pioneer in space research.

  • Mixed Materials box: 4
    Starr, Dr. Chauncey (1912- )
    12-20-85
    Scope and Contents note

    Palo Alto, CA. 28 minutes.

  • Mixed Materials box: 4
    Stehling, Dr. Kurtiz
  • Mixed Materials box: 4
    Tape, Dr. Gerald (1915-1905)
    4-30-84
    Scope and Contents note

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

  • Mixed Materials box: 4
    Taylor, Lauriston (1902-2004)
    Scope and Contents note

    Pioneer in radiation research.

  • Mixed Materials box: 4
    Teller, Dr.Edward (1908-2003)
    12-29-83
    Scope and Contents note

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

  • Mixed Materials box: 4
    Townes, Dr. Charles (1915- )
    3-21-84
    Scope and Contents note

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

  • Mixed Materials box: 4
    Weinberg, Alvin (1915-2006)
    3-21-84
    Scope and Contents note

    Washington, D.C. 12 minutes.

  • Mixed Materials box: 4
    White, Dr. Robert
    4-25-89
    Scope and Contents note

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

  • Mixed Materials box: 4
    Wigner, E.P. (1902-1995)
    3-4-86
    Scope and Contents note

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

  • Mixed Materials box: 5
    DVD Copies
    Scope and Contents note

    DVD copies of many of the interviews.

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