Smithsonian Institution Archives

George V. Barton Reminiscences, 1982-1983

Summary

Collection ID:: SIA.FARU9556
Creators:: Barton, George V.
Dates:: 1982-1983
Languages:: English
Physical Description:: 3 audiotapes (Reference copies). 4 digital .mp3 files (Reference copies).
Repository:: Smithsonian Institution Archives

Introduction

The Smithsonian Institution Archives began its Oral History Program in 1973. The purpose of the program is to supplement the written documentation of the Archives' record and manuscript collections with an Oral History Collection, focusing on the history of the Institution, research by its scholars, and contributions of its staff. Program staff conduct interviews with current and retired Smithsonian staff and others who have made significant contributions to the Institution. There are also reminiscences and interviews recorded by researchers or students on topics related to the history of the Smithsonian or the holdings of the Smithsonian Institution Archives.

George V. Baron recorded his reminiscences of his career at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in 1982 and 1983 and donated them to the Smithsonian Institution Archives Oral History Collection.

Descriptive Entry

These reminiscences by Barton cover his hiring, orientation to the Satellite Tracking Program, the launching of Sputnik, installation of Baker-Nunn cameras, and his technical innovations such as the Barton Scope and reels for winding film.

The Barton Reminiscences consist of 3.5 hours of audio recordings and 83 pages of transcript.

Historical Note

George V. Barton (1928- ), marine electronics specialist and amateur astronomer, joined the staff of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) in 1957 to work on the Satellite Tracking Program (STP). Over the course of the next year, he set up Baker-Nunn cameras at satellite tracking stations in Las Cruces, New Mexico; Olifantsfontein, South Africa; San Fernando, Spain; Naini Tal, India; and Villa Dolores, Argentina. Barton left the STP in 1958 to work on the Cateye Project from 1958 to 1963 and career at the Naval Research Laboratory from 1964 to 1974. He then returned to the field of marine electronics.

Administration

Author

Finding aid prepared by Smithsonian Institution Archives

Using the Collection

Prefered Citation

Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 9556, George V. Barton Reminiscences

Use Restriction

Restricted. Contact SIHistory@si.edu to request permission.

More Information

Notes

Oral Histories

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms	Keyword Types
Barton, George V.	Personal Name	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. Satellite Tracking Program	Corporate Name	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Naval Research Laboratory (U.S.)	Corporate Name	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Baker-Nunn camera	Corporate Name	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Barton Scope	Corporate Name	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. Cat-Eye Program	Corporate Name	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Astrophysics	Topic	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Oral history	Topic	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Sputnik satellites	Topic	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Astronomy	Topic	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Observatories	Topic	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Scientific apparatus and instruments	Topic	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Interviews	Topic	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Las Cruces (N.M.)	Place	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Olifantsfontein (South Africa)	Place	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
San Fernando (Spain)	Place	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Villa Dolores (Córdoba, Argentina)	Place	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Naini Tal (India)	Place	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Audiotapes	Genre/Form	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid
Transcripts	Genre/Form	Search Smithsonian Collections	Search ArchiveGrid

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