The World is yours : Smithsonian Institution radio program / [produced by the U.S. Office of Education, Federal Security Agency, with the cooperation of the National Broadcasting Company]
26.46 cu. ft. (8 record storage boxes) (18.46 non-standard size boxes)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Sound recordings
Audiotapes
Date:
circa 1915-1941
Descriptive Entry:
This accession consists of sound recordings created by, acquired by, or about the Smithsonian Institution and its staff. Highlights of the collection include recordings
of Native American languages being spoken or sung and radio programs, including much of "The World is Yours" program.
These records were transferred to the National Archives prior to the establishment of the Smithsonian Institution Archives, where they became part of Record Group 106.
On March 18, 2005, they were returned to the Smithsonian Institution and were added to the Archives collections.
This accession contains both master recordings and preservation copies. Masters do not exist for all of the recordings. Most master recordings are on aluminum or acetate
discs. Master recordings for the Wheelwright Collection are on audio cylinders. Reference copies of these recordings are not currently available but may be made for a fee.
Songs of the Mission Indians of California, recorded by John P. Harrington [Elements 106-1 through 106-110A] and Voices of representatives of the Aleutian Indian Tribe
in reproduction of tribal songs and linguistic material [Elements 106-111 through 106-22] were transferred to the National Anthropological Archives in June 2010.
Restrictions:
Listening copies are not currently available but may be made for a fee. Contact reference staff for details.
This accession consists of publications created in conjunction with the Educational Radio Project which created several educational radio series while providing employment
for out-of-work writers and actors. Development of the project began in 1935 in association with the Civilian Conservation Corps and the United States, Works Progress Administration
and some series continued through 1942. The project was administered by the United States, Office of Education. Many of the materials in this accession relate to "The World
is Yours," a series broadcast by the National Broadcasting Company, Inc. radio network and produced in conjunction with the Smithsonian Institution. Each half-hour program
aired once a week on topics covering the entire range of the Smithsonian Institution's collections and research. The series featured the "Oldtimer" as the audience's guide
to "the wonders of that unique establishment, the Smithsonian Institution -- dedicated to the increase and diffusion of knowledge." The program ran from June 1936 until May
1942. Other Educational Radio Project programs documented in this accession include "Answer Me This," a question and answer style program that often used traditional American
songs, and "Interviews with the Past," six shows during which a historical figure arrives in the present to be interviewed by student reporters. Neither program was directly
associated with the Smithsonian Institution. Materials include a manual for the production of educational radio programs, a script catalogue, educational supplements to "The
World is Yours" with illustrated covers, and scripts for "Answer Me This" and "Interviews with the Past."
Interview of Taylor cover his years as Curator of the Division of Engineering and Head Curator of the Department of Science and Technology; The World Is Yours radio program; and development of the Exhibits Modernization Program and Office of Exhibits, ...
Collection Creator::
Taylor, Frank A. (Frank Augustus), 1903-2007, interviewee Search this
Container:
Interviews
Type:
Archival materials
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 9512, Frank A. Taylor Oral History Interviews
Smithsonian Institution. Editorial and Publications Division Search this
Extent:
18 cu. ft. (18 record storage boxes)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Color photographs
Black-and-white photographs
Black-and-white negatives
Clippings
Manuscripts
Newspapers
Brochures
Date:
1847-1966
Descriptive Entry:
These records represent most of the activities of the Editorial and Publications Division. Included are a range of fiscal and administrative records pertaining to Smithsonian
publications, especially correspondence with United States National Museum publications authors and background records for Annual Reports; news releases and news clippings;
materials pertaining to Smithsonian house publications; Smithsonian radio programs; and correspondence pertaining to Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections. Also included are
records documenting "The World is Yours" radio program; they include radio scripts and related promotional literature and a file of collected information on other contemporary
educational radio programs.
Historical Note:
For many years, the Editorial and Publications Division administered public relations activities as well as publications. In 1966 a major reorganization established
the Smithsonian Institution Press, concerned with publications, and created other offices for public relations, radio programs, and the like.
Smithsonian Institution. Office of the Secretary Search this
Extent:
78.77 cu. ft. (65 record storage boxes) (1 half document box) (90 3x5 boxes) (1 oversize folder)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Black-and-white photographs
Black-and-white negatives
Serials (publications)
Maps
Clippings
Manuscripts
Architectural drawings
Date:
1925-1949
Descriptive Entry:
This record unit traces the operation of the Smithsonian from 1925 to 1949. It contains records from the last years of Secretary Charles D. Walcott's administration,
perhaps most notably the ambitious but abortive fund raising campaign to add $10,000,000.00 to the Smithsonian's endowment. The Depression and consequent cut-backs in government
support are also present in the records, as well as Smithsonian contributions to World War II, which naturally had a significant impact on operations as well. Smithsonian
bureaus that were created, enlarged, or significantly changed during these years, and which are represented here, include the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory; the National
Gallery of Art (now the Smithsonian American Art Museum); the National Gallery of Art created from the gift of Andrew Mellon; the National Zoological Park; the National Air
and Space Museum; and the Canal Zone Biological Area (now the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute). Secretary Charles G. Abbot, whose tenure these records chiefly document,
found his job complicated by the effects of the Depression and World War II. The principal event of his administration was Andrew Mellon's gift of a national art museum. Abbot
created a Division of Radiation and Organisms within the Astrophysical Observatory, which he had directed and which remained his chief interest. He was also able to use Works
Progress Administration funds to produce major improvements at the National Zoological Park. The Smithsonian maintained its ties with the National Academy of Sciences, the
Carnegie Institution, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, the National Research Council, the National Geographic Society, and similar organizations. During World
War II the Smithsonian was instrumental in operating the Ethnogeographic Board, and co-operated with the Office of Scientific Research and Development. Topics in these records
include: the Johnson-Smithsonian Expedition to the Puerto Rico Trench, 1932; the Eighth American Scientific Congress, Washington, 1940; the Smithsonian Scientific Series;
North American Wildflowers; the Langley-Wright controversy; the River Basin Survey; the abortive design competition for a museum of modern art, won by Eliel and Eero Saarinen
and Robert Swanson; "The World Is Yours" radio programs; Robert H. Goddard's rocket research; the Langley Medal; private funding for the Smithsonian, particularly the Tamblyn
and Brown plans for a 1927 campaign and the associated 1927 Conference on the Future of the Smithsonian; and Abbot's research in solar radiation and climatic studies.
Historical Note:
These records document the administrations of the Smithsonian Institution during the last years of Charles D. Walcott's administration, circa, 1925-1927; the tenure
of Charles G. Abbot, his successor, 1927-1944; and a portion of the administration of Alexander Wetmore, circa 1944.
This accession consists of scripts for various "The World is Yours" radio shows broadcast by the National Broadcasting Company, Inc. radio network. A joint project
of the Smithsonian Institution, U.S. Department of the Interior Office of Education, and the Works Progress Administration, the half-hour programs aired once a week on topics
ranging from mammals to insects to geology to ethnology to art history to aeronautics, etc. The educational series featured the "Oldtimer" as the audience's guide to "the
wonders of that unique establishment, the Smithsonian Institution - dedicated to the increase and diffusion of knowledge." Scripts were prepared by Smithsonian staff and presentations
were done by out-of-work actors and musicians. The program, which began in June 1936, was suspended in May of 1942 because of the war effort. Materials include scripts, regulations
for using the scripts, and, in some cases, cast lists. Scripts are not available for all shows.
Also included is information about the 1942 transfer of 6 audio recordings related to the Chumash Indian language from the Smithsonian Institution, Bureau of American Ethnology
to the National Archives; 9 pages of Chumash to English translations, and "The Story of Candalaria, the Old Indian Basket-Maker."
Also included are data sheets and component data sheets for duplicate film in Record Group 106 of the National Archives and Records Administration. Data sheets are not
available for all of the film from this record group and some data sheets document copies that were not part of the transfer to the Smithsonian Institution Archives and are
assumed to no longer exist.
These records were transferred to the National Archives prior to the establishment of the Smithsonian Institution Archives, where they became part of Record Group 106.
On March 18, 2005, they were returned to the Smithsonian Institution and were added to the Archives collections.
United States National Museum. Department of Engineering and Industries Search this
Extent:
7.5 cu. ft. (15 document boxes)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Scrapbooks
Clippings
Manuscripts
Date:
1891-1957
Descriptive Entry:
These records originated mostly in the office of the Head Curator of the Department of Engineering and Industries, under Carl W. Mitman and Frank A. Taylor, but include
records of several other curators, primarily Smith Hempstone Oliver and Paul E. Garber. The records include general correspondence, memoranda, and administrative files concerning
departmental accessions, administrative policy and budgetary matters, exhibits, and requests for photographs for publication; minutes of a steering committee to establish
a Smithsonian endowment fund; outgoing correspondence and summaries of the work of the sections of Fisheries and Naval Architecture under Joseph William Collins, 1891-1894;
an incomplete set of scripts and programs, scrapbooks, correspondence, and news clippings concerning radio programs on technology and science aired on "The World Is Yours;"
and subject files consisting of correspondence and memoranda covering areas and individuals in the engineering and technological sciences.
13.12 cu. ft. (10 document boxes) (14 tall document boxes)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Audiotapes
Date:
1970-1978, with related materials from 1938
Descriptive Entry:
This record unit consists of audiotape recordings of Smithsonian Institution (SI) special events including concerts, exhibitions, lectures, interviews, symposia, and
openings. Of special interest are recordings of the 1876 exhibition opening, 1976; Festival of American Folklife events; Smithsonian National Associates Program events; and
a few copies of The World is Yours broadcasts, 1938-1942.
Restrictions:
Restrictions pertaining to the use of these materials may apply (based on contracts/copyright). Access restrictions may also apply if listening copies are not currently available. Listening copies can be made for a fee. Contact reference staff for details.