Gerard K. O'Neill Collection
Gerard Kitchen O'Neill (1927-1992) was an experimental physicist, educator, inventor, entrepreneur, writer and novelist.
Gerard K. O'Neill joined the Navy at age 17, served as a radar technician from 1944 to 1946, graduated from Swarthmore College in 1950 with high honors in Physics, and received his Ph.D. in Physics from Cornell University in 1954. He went to Princeton University in that year as an Assistant Professor, becoming a Full Professor of Physics in 1965. In the 1976-77 academic year he received the honor of serving as the Jerome Clarke Hunsaker Professor of Aerospace at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He retired from Princeton in 1985 as professor emeritus.
Dr. O'Neill's main research area was high-energy particle physics and he initiated and led large-scale projects in accelerator construction. In 1956 he invented the storage-ring technique for colliding particle beams, a method which is now the basis for nearly every new high-energy particle accelerator. In 1976 he built his first Mass Driver prototype.
Dr. O'Neill was a pioneer in the field of space colonization; his studies on the humanization of space began in 1969 as a result of his undergraduate teaching at Princeton, and one of his four books,
In 1977 following the success of
In 1967 Dr. O'Neill was a finalist, though ultimately not selected, for NASA's Astronaut Group 6, a group of scientist-astronauts to be given assignments in the Apollo Program. He returned to NASA throughout 1975-1977 to led studies on space habitats and space manufacturing; he testified twice before Congress during that time. In 1985, he was appointed by President Reagan to the National Commission on Space.
In 1983 Dr. O'Neill founded the Geostar Corporation, a satellite based positioning and communication system, based on a patent issued to him.
In 1986, O'Neill founded O'Neill Communications, Inc. which developed LAWN, a local area network device using radio waves and still in use today.
At the time of his death, Dr. O'Neill was working on a form of high-speed ground-based transportation he called "Magnetic Flight" with another company he founded, VSE International.
Dr. O'Neill was an instrument-rated pilot with some 2,500 hours of time in powered aircraft and held the Triple Diamond Badge of the Federation of the Aeronautique Internationale for sail plane flights. He was active in ultralight aircraft aviation and a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association. On most of his travels in connection with research and lectures, he piloted his own small plane.
Dr. O'Neill died from leukemia in 1992; the Clementine Mission of 1994 was dedicated to him.
Materials in this collection include notes, business papers, patents, calendar planners, reports, a thesis, correspondence, book drafts, screenplay drafts, university publications, magazines, magazine articles, newspaper articles, glass & 35mm images, photographs, a rolodex.
The researcher should note that the collection also contains VHS tapes and audio cassettes. These items are not included in the container list but a NASM Archives staff person can assist you regarding access.
No restrictions on access.
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at
File unit titles are original except in cases of titles appearing in brackets which are the processing archivists'.
Series and subseries was determined by the archivist based on existing groupings.
Gerard O'Neill was highly organized with his papers and that organization has been preserved. Almost all folders were labeled by Dr. O'Neill though in a few cases original labels had dried up and fallen off. Some later folders appeared to be labeled by someone else. Commonly, there were hanging folders that served to group together individual folders. In these cases, the file units are named after the hanging folder's broader title and the individual folders are physically reproduced on acid-free paper within the file unit's contents.
Tasha O'Neill, Gift, 2013
Gerard K. O'Neill Collection, Acc. 2014-0005, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
These materials were grouped together by the creator; file unit names are the creator's unless in brackets, which signifies that the processing archivist named the file unit. Processing archivist arranged file units chronologically.
Physics I Lab Notes
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Notes, notebooks, quizzes, papers, handouts.
[Gerard O'Neill, Student]
Notes, notebooks, quizzes, papers, handouts.
[Gerard O'Neill, Student]
Notes, notebooks, quizzes, papers, handouts.
[Newburgh Free Academy Diploma]
CBX [Colliding Beam Experiment] Run Notebook
1960s Work on Storage Rings
Includes drawings.
1960s Work on Storage Rings
Includes drawings.
1960s Work on Storage Rings
Includes drawings.
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[Russian Language Study Notebook]
1950's Work on Storage Rings [Notebook]
1950's Work on Storage Rings [Notebook]
1950's Work on Storage Rings
Correspondence, articles, essays, photo and publications:
1950's Work on Storage Rings
Correspondence, articles, essays, photo and publications:
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Contains
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With
[Drawing : "Proposed Plot Plan of New Prin-Penn Accelerator"]
Colliding Beam Experiment (CBX) Notebooks
Colliding Beam Experiment (CBX) Notebooks
Colliding Beam Experiment (CBX) Technical Readout
Colliding Beam Experiment (CBX) Notebooks
CBX [Colliding Beam Experiment] - Run Data & Detector Notes
Includes photos.
Press releases, newspaper articles on Colliding Beam Experiment.
[Papers/Presentations re: Colliding Beam Experiment]
CBX [Colliding Beam Experiment] Correspondence with University
CBX [Colliding Beam Experiment] Correspondence with University
Proposal Sections & Copies
Reports by Federbush
These materials were grouped together by the creator; file unit names are the creator's unless in brackets, which signifies that the processing archivist named the file unit. Processing archivist arranged file units chronologically.
Reference Articles - Physics III - II2
Physics III/II2 General Info from Earlier Years
Physics III Lectures & Quizzes 1979-80
Contains transparency and color slide.
Physics II2 1979-80
Source Material
Physics III 1980-81
Lectures 1982-3
Physics II2 1980-1
Physics III & Physics II2 1982-3 Term Paper Topics
Course Meetings
Physics III - Physics II2 1982-3
[Physics Class Material - Miscellaneous]
Quizzes & Practice Problems Current Course
[Physics III 1982-3]
Syllabus & Organiz.
Physics II2 Labs
These materials were grouped together by the creator and given the group title of "Historical Documents;" file unit names are the creator's unless in brackets, which signifies that the processing archivist named the file unit. Processing archivist arranged file units chronologically.
Info & Documents Picked Up in Course of Astronaut-Selection Process
Notes & Refs. in Prep of
Notes & Refs. in Prep of
Work & Travel Records
[Historical Documents, Miscellaneous]
Correspondence to Prof.
Press Package - Originals
Living in Space
These materials were grouped together by the creator and given the group title of "Mass Driver;" file unit names are the creator's unless in brackets, which signifies that the processing archivist named the file unit. Processing archivist arranged file units chronologically.
[Mass Driver Miscellanous]
Articles, notes, correspondence. Includes
[Mass Driver Miscellanous]
Articles, notes, correspondence. Includes
[Mass Driver Miscellanous]
Articles, notes, correspondence. Includes
Mass Driver Notes -
MDRE / Ion Drive Comparison
Second Mass Driver Model Including Work Notes & Correspondence with Students
Mass Driver Meetings 5/24/78 (PTN) & 6/20/78 (LERC)
Working Notes Autumn 1977
Mass Driver Briefing
Mass Driver Working Notes 1978
Mass Driver Design & Mission Performance
Contains notes, color slide and viewgraphs.
Mass Driver Calc NS & Briefing Notes
6/81 High Alpha Mass Driver Model
Mass Driver Funding
Essential Mass Driver Notes
M3 Notes
Original folder label in its entirety read "M3 Notes 1982 (Mainly Development of M3 & M31.) Includes Some Earlier."
To/From
Mass Driver Reprints 1981 & After, & Bibliography
Mass Driver Wave Calculation
M3 Mass Driver Programs into 1982
Mass Driver Calculations
To/From
Viewgraphs (Mass Driver)
[Viewgraphs]
Identified as "Viewgraphs for Sept. 6-12 IAF Meeting in Rome."
Grover Tables
Arranged in order of the company's founding.
These materials appear to have been grouped together by the creator and were received in boxes labeled "Files from SSI" by the donor; file unit names are the creator's and someone unknown; when in brackets, the processing archivist named the file unit. Processing archivist arranged file units chronologically.
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Includes correspondence, book dedications, articles, interview transcripts, meeting minutes, patent applications.
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Includes correspondence, book dedications, articles, interview transcripts, meeting minutes, patent applications.
Patent Application for
Legal Account
Patent Information
Patent
[Memos & Correspondence re: Publicity?]
Gerard O'Neill's label for this folder fell off. Includes correspondence, notes, magazine articles and a "Sierra Essay."
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Advertisement placed in
Articles, Non-Geostar, Mainly by
SA Confidential Newsletter
OP EDS / LA & WA Times
Correspondence, notes, Xeroxed articles.
Xerox copy of article on
Includes a copy of
GK - "Plan"
Sierra
Text for an article? written by
Where Next, Columbus? [
GK Phone List
Correspondence and
Memorial Service
[Text for
[Clementine Mission Information Pack]
[Freeman] Dyson [Statement/Press Release]
ISU [
Also contains color slides.
Japan TV
Correspondence.
Japan Article
Correspondence.
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Copy of magazine
SunSat Energy Council
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Correspondence re: patent.
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These materials were grouped together by the creator; file unit names are the creator's unless in brackets, which signifies that the processing archivist named the file unit. Processing archivist arranged file units chronologically.
Physics Research
Patents/Trademarks 1980-1986
Patents/Trademarks 1980-1986
Patents/Trademarks 1980-1986
Patents/Trademarks 1980-1986
Patents/Trademarks 1980-1986
Patents/Trademarks 1980-1986
Patents/Trademarks 1980-1986
Patents/Trademarks 1980-1986
Patents/Trademarks 1980-1986
RCA - EIMAC
Book Related
Duplicates for Physics Guy
Articles by
GFRB
RCA correspondence, notes.
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Research materials, studies, notes, correspondence, budgets.
[Geostar Business Plan]
Research materials, studies, notes, correspondence, budgets.
Administration
TECH 1982-1986
TECH 1982-1986
TECH 1982-1986
TECH 1982-1986
TECH 1982-1986
TECH 1982-1986
TECH 1982-1986
TECH 1982-1986
TECH 1982-1986
TECH 1982-1986
TECH 1982-1986
TECH 1982-1986
TECH 1982-1986
TECH 1982-1986
Safekeeping
Sugarbush
Satellite Conference
Sierra Test
[The
Marketing
Marketing
Venture Notes
Personnel
[Private Placement Memorandum]
RCA
Correspondence, notes, meeting minutes, diagrams, advertisments, study outline,
Sierra Test - Osborne File
National Telesystems Conference
Judge Advocate
Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers Conference
SAE Conference
Aeronautical Frequency Committee
Cable TV Summit
[Communications re:
Correspondence, license agreement, system proposal, notes.
International Omega Association
Global Civil Satellite Navig. [NAV '84 Conference]
National Ocean Industries Association
Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services
National Center for Policy Analysis "The Next Frontier"
International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations
Satellite Communications Users Conference
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Includes correspondence, notes, data, reports, articles and the publication
Business Plan, Budgets, CHG MTGS
RCA Astro
Chrono:
Memos, meeting notes, correspondence.
Chrono:
Memos, meeting notes, correspondence.
Chrono:
Memos, meeting notes, correspondence.
Chrono:
Memos, meeting notes, correspondence.
Chrono:
Memos, meeting notes, correspondence.
Chrono:
Memos, meeting notes, correspondence.
Chrono:
Memos, meeting notes, correspondence.
Chrono:
Memos, meeting notes, correspondence.
Chrono:
Memos, meeting notes, correspondence.
Chrono:
Memos, meeting notes, correspondence.
Chrono:
Memos, meeting notes, correspondence.
Chrono:
Memos, meeting notes, correspondence.
Business Week
Yankee Group Telecommunications
Magazine Publishers
Institute of Navigation
Space Technology Conference & Expo
Satellite Navigation System Hearing
American Trucking Assoc/ATA/MSC Nat'l Workshop
Financing Business in Space
ACRI
Financing Options for Space Ventures
Technical Specs
Prime Host Deals
Americom (Business)
Transmit / Receive
Transmit / Receive
XTRA & Backup
Briefings
Chronological Faxes
SST Link One
Voting Shares
Correspondence
[1985 Appointment Book / Planner]
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For Briefings
Includes color 8X10 of
TECH - Hygain (PRP)
GSTAR II Failure Review Notes - Names, Members, and Mtg. Sch.
[RCA Correspondence RE:
[RCA Correspondence RE:
R/O Review Board
[Final Report of the Independent
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[
Notes on the Founding of
[Report of the Independent
These materials were grouped together by the creator; file unit names are the creator's unless in brackets, which signifies that the processing archivist named the file unit.
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These materials were grouped together by the creator; file unit names are the creator's, and another unknown person, unless in brackets, which signifies that the processing archivist named the file unit. Processing archivist arranged file units chronologically.
1960's Tube Transport. Papers From Perkowsky
Articles
Newsletters, clippings and magazine articles Re: Satellites/GPS, SLAC (Stanford Linear Accelerator Center), high-speed trains. Also includes a company summary of
Vacuum Systems
Includes
INTEREST GROUPS
Vendor Catalogs/Information
Vendor Catalogs/Information
From Behind Desk
Magnetic Flight booklets, executive summary distribution list,
Civil Engineering / Tunneling
Vendors List
PHONE LISTS, ADDRESS LISTS - Dr.
Track Charts
Market Studies
FRA/DOT
MAGLEV
Contains photos.
MAGLEV
Contains photos.
BUSINESS PLANS -
Floater/
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Individuals
ACCOUNTS -
Includes business and financial data, development and implementation plan, expenses by month.
Includes some correspondence and notes.
US Congress
Correspondence, notes and articles.
Current Investors/Contracts
Correspondence.
Private Company
Correspondence/notes on/with:
PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS - Draft
PUBLICATIONS
New York State. Technical & Economic
Final Report prepared for the
Attendee Lists
For International Symposium on Magnetic Suspension Technology & the Maglev Technology Assessment Symposium.
PROGRESS REPORTS - Reports to Investors
Non-Disclosures
One DOF Model
Quotes
R & D - Originals
Calculations
1/7 " Scale
Systems
Route Analysis Program
National
Employee Records
Correspondence and time sheets.
[International Symposium on Magnetic Suspension Technology Parts 1 & 2]
Rail
Also includes materials re: patent.
Liquidation correspondence and notes.
Potential Contacts for
Transparencies re: Magnetic Flight.
Transparencies re: Magnetic Flight.
Bios/Resumes for
Arranged in order of publication.
These materials were grouped together by the creator; file unit names are the creator's unless in brackets, which signifies that the processing archivist named the file unit. Processing archivist arranged file units chronologically. Also see Series V for additional materials on
Includes materials for both the book and the screenplay of
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["The Colonization of Space" A Proposal for a Novel by Philip Friedman's]
Obsolete First Draft Matter S&S Book
Obsolete First Draft Matter S&S Book
Older Material,
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Includes pitch letters, for interviews.
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Correspondence.
Graphics For Film Project [re:
Correspondence, notes, graphics, sketches.
Trademark -
Re: concerns about the use of
Trademark -
Re: concerns about the use of
Trademark -
Re: concerns about the use of
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Correspondence, storyboard slides,
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Correspondence, storyboard slides,
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These materials were grouped together by the creator in chapter order; file unit names are the creator's unless in brackets, which signifies that the processing archivist named the file unit. Also see Series V for additional materials on
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These materials were grouped together by the creator; file unit names are the creator's unless in brackets, which signifies that the processing archivist named the file unit. Processing archivist arranged file units in chapter order with general materials at the end and in chronological order. Also see Series V for additional materials on
Research materials, notes, drafts, correspondence, photos. Final chapter title: "Japan Challenges the World."
Research materials, notes, drafts, correspondence, photos. Final chapter title: "Japan Challenges the World."
Research materials, notes, drafts, correspondence, photos. Final chapter title: "Japan Challenges the World."
Research materials, notes, drafts, correspondence, photos. Final chapter title: "Japan Challenges the World."
Research materials, notes, drafts, correspondence, photos. Final chapter title: "Japan Challenges the World."
Research materials, notes, drafts, correspondence, photos. Final chapter title: "Japan Challenges the World."
Research materials, notes, drafts, correspondence, photos. Final chapter title: "Japan Challenges the World."
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Research materials, notes, drafts, correspondence, photos and negatives.
Research materials, notes, drafts, correspondence, photos and negatives.
Research materials, notes, drafts, correspondence, photos and negatives.
Research materials, notes, drafts, correspondence, photos and negatives.
Research materials, notes, drafts, correspondence, photos and negatives.
Research materials, notes, drafts, correspondence, photos and negatives.
Research materials, notes, drafts, correspondence, photos and negatives.
Research materials, notes, drafts, correspondence, photos and negatives.
Research materials, notes, drafts, correspondence, photos and negatives.
Research materials, notes, drafts, correspondence. Final chapter title: "Robots - The New Breed."
Technology Edge RR Section [Robotic Reproduction. Part Two, Chapter Three]
Research materials, notes, drafts, correspondence. Final chapter title: "Robots - The New Breed."
Technology Edge RR Section [Robotic Reproduction. Part Two, Chapter Three]
Research materials, notes, drafts, correspondence. Final chapter title: "Robots - The New Breed."
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Research materials, notes, drafts, correspondence.
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Research materials, notes, drafts, correspondence.
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Research materials, notes, drafts, correspondence.
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Research materials, notes, drafts, correspondence.
Research materials, notes, drafts, correspondence, photos and negatives.
Research materials, notes, drafts, correspondence, photos and negatives.
Research materials, notes, drafts, correspondence, photos and negatives.
Research materials, notes, drafts, correspondence, photos and negatives.
Research materials, notes, drafts, correspondence, photos and negatives.
Research materials, notes, drafts, correspondence, photos. Final Chapter titled: "The 340 MPH Limousine."
Research materials, notes, drafts, correspondence, photos. Final Chapter titled: "The 340 MPH Limousine."
Research materials, notes, drafts, correspondence, photos. Final Chapter titled: "The 340 MPH Limousine."
Research materials, notes, drafts, correspondence, photos. Final Chapter titled: "The 340 MPH Limousine."
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Draft chapter.
Research materials, notes, drafts, correspondence.
Research materials, notes, drafts, correspondence.
Research materials, notes, drafts, correspondence.
Research materials, notes, drafts, photos. Includes many photos of
Research materials, notes, drafts, photos. Includes many photos of
Research materials, notes, drafts, photos. Includes many photos of
Research materials, notes, drafts, photos. Includes many photos of
Research materials, notes, drafts, photos. Includes many photos of
Research materials, notes, drafts, photos. Includes many photos of
Research materials, notes, drafts, photos. Includes many photos of
Research materials, notes, drafts, correspondence.
Research materials, notes, drafts, correspondence.
Research materials, notes, drafts, correspondence.
Research materials, notes, drafts, correspondence.
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Research materials, notes, correspondence.
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Draft of chapter with final name of "World-Class Players" & correspondence.
All Literary Contracts & Proposals
All Literary Contracts & Proposals
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Notes and drafts.
With some notes and and a press release.
With some notes and and a press release.
["Opportunities" aka
["Opportunities" aka
["Opportunities" aka
Advance Uncorrected Proofs - "Opportunities" [aka
These materials were grouped together by the creator; file unit names are the creator's unless in brackets, which signifies that the processing archivist named the file unit. Processing archivist arranged file units chronologically.
Task group summaries.
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Correspondence, member list, meeting schedules, magazine articles, presentations (text), notes.
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Correspondence, member list, meeting schedules, magazine articles, presentations (text), notes.
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Correspondence, member list, meeting schedules, magazine articles, presentations (text), notes.
A 3-ring binder made by
A 3-ring binder made by
A 3-ring binder made by
A 3-ring binder made by
Restricted due to PII.
Space Station Presentation to the President's
3 ring binder put together by
[The Ariane 4 Launch Vehicle. Presentation, June 1985]
Presentation to GTE-Spacenet, Les Mureaux by
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Materials that appear to not have been grouped together with other materials by the creator; some file unit names are the creator's, some cannot possibly be. If the title is in brackets, the processing archivist named the file unit. Processing archivist arranged file units chronologically.
[Portraits of
[Miscellaneous]
Contains photos.
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[Miscellaneous Correspondence]
[Ephemera from Trip to
Includes newspaper articles and correspondence.
[Ephemera from Trip to
Includes newspaper articles and correspondence.
C.I.S. [Colonies In Space?] Article
C.I.S. [Colonies In Space?] Article
Important History -
[1974-78 Lectures, Appearances, Royalities, Advances from Publishers, Host Trips Taken in Own Aircraft]
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Lectures: Collected Reprints
Reprints of articles.
Lecture: Notes
Lecture: Notes
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Contains
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Interviews
Miscellaneous
Speaking Engagements
Speaking Engagements
Speaking Engagements
Speaking Engagements
Travel
Travel
[Planners]
[Articles, Interviews, Reviews]
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Condolences & Obits & Pers. Recollections
Lecture: Graphics
Arranged in chronological order.
This series consists of reports by Gerard O'Neill and magazines which contain articles written by Gerard O'Neill.
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These materials were grouped together by the creator; file unit names are the creator's unless in brackets, which signifies that the processing archivist named the file unit. Processing archivist arranged file units chronologically.
Gadgetry
To Be Done Around the House - Plans of Construction Projects
[Sailplane Misc.]
Contains photos.
[Sailplane Misc.]
Contains photos.
[Sailplane Misc.]
Contains photos.
[Trips/Vacations]
Aircraft
Time-Lapse Camera System
[Ryan Stormscope Sales Packet &
[Model TSIO-520BE
Malibu
Flight Planning
Service Bulletins
Service Bulletins
GTON Flight Data Sheets
GTON, Inc.
Loran Way Points
Contains lantern slides, contact sheets, 35mm negatives & slides.
Some lantern slides were labeled and grouped togther; that original order was maintained when re-housing.
[Prints, 35mm Slides, Negatives & Contact Sheets]
35mm BxW negatives and contact sheet are images from
[Lantern Slides]
Boxes 60-62 are miscellaneous images, the majority of which appear to possibly be diagrams or figures for a textbook.
Boxes 63-64 contain images grouped and labeled by
[Lantern Slides]
Boxes 60-62 are miscellaneous images, the majority of which appear to possibly be diagrams or figures for a textbook.
Boxes 63-64 contain images grouped and labeled by
[Lantern Slides]
Boxes 60-62 are miscellaneous images, the majority of which appear to possibly be diagrams or figures for a textbook.
Boxes 63-64 contain images grouped and labeled by
[Lantern Slides]
Boxes 60-62 are miscellaneous images, the majority of which appear to possibly be diagrams or figures for a textbook.
Boxes 63-64 contain images grouped and labeled by
[Lantern Slides]
Boxes 60-62 are miscellaneous images, the majority of which appear to possibly be diagrams or figures for a textbook.
Boxes 63-64 contain images grouped and labeled by
[Physics Study Notecards]
[Physics Study Notecards]
Box 69 also contains a "Fellow of the Rochester Museum" certificate 1983 and mounted cover of
Box 69 also contains a "Fellow of the Rochester Museum" certificate 1983 and mounted cover of
[Miscellaneous]
2 schematic drawings, layout proofs for