Smithsonian Videohistory Program

Professor of astrophysics, Harvard University, and astrophysicist, Smithsonian-Harvard Center for Astrophysics, was universally regarded for her revolutionary work on the large-scale structure of the universe. The discovery by Geller, John Huchra and Valerie de Lapparent of the bubble structure of galaxies was argubly among the most important work in the late twentieth century.

From the description of Margaret J. Geller oral history interviews [videorecording] / 1989-1990. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 79182097

In 1986, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation awarded the Smithsonian Institution a grant to videotape interviews about "Science in National Life," specifically focusing on the history of science and technology. With these funds, the Institution created the Smithsonian Videohistory Program (SVP). By 1992, eighteen members of the research staff from the National Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of American History, the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, and the Smithsonian Institution Archives had originated twenty-two projects, resulting in over 250 hours of tape, in diverse areas such as computers, robotics, space history, tropical biology, medical technology, and watch manufacturing. These projects make up, in part, the Smithsonian Videohistory Collection. The Alfred P. Sloan funding ended in 1992, but the Program continues to operate under the direction of Pamela M. Henson of the Institutional History Division, Smithsonian Institution Archives.

Smithsonian Institution Archives, Agency History. Record 217781