In 1984 the National Air and Space Museum established a unit named Special Projects and Publications Division. In 1985 the title changed to Aerospace Education and Publications Office and in 1986 to Publications and Special Projects Office. In 1990 the name changed again to Publications Department. In 1991 it became the Office of Publications and, in 1993, the Publications Division. By 1997 the office had merged into the Educational Services Unit but continues to provide publication-related services through the Publications Officer. The National Air and Space Museum publications program provides a variety of printed materials, ranging from the general to the scholarly. The Museum's general publications include exhibition books, gallery guides, catalogues, and publications by Museum curators. A series, The Smithsonian History of Aviation and Spaceflight, includes works that promote an understanding of how aviation and space flight have affected the social, cultural, political, and military contexts of American life.
Helen C. McMahon served as Chief, Special Projects and Publications Division in 1984 and as Chief, Aerospace Education and Publications in 1985. Patricia J. Graboske was Chief, Publications and Special Projects, 1986-1990, Office of Publications, 1991-1992, and Chief, Publications Division, 1993-1996. Graboske served as Publications Officer, 1997- .
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Agency History. Record 229092
