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Finding Aids to Official Records of the Smithsonian Institution Archives

Accession 08-081

Smithsonian Institution. Office of Telecommunications

Productions, 1984-1991, 1995-1998, 2003

Repository:Smithsonian Institution Archives, Washington, D.C. Contact us at osiaref@si.edu.
Creator:Smithsonian Institution. Office of Telecommunications
Title:Productions
Dates:1984-1991, 1995-1998, 2003
Quantity:10 cu. ft. (10 record storage boxes)
Collection:Accession 08-081
Language of Materials:English
Summary:

This accession consists of videotapes created during the production of "Smithsonian World," an educational television series that explored people, ideas, and events that shape world culture, blending art, science, history, and the humanities to create an exciting harmony among disciplines. The production was narrated by historian David G. McCullough and co-produced by WETA-TV for broadcast on the Public Broadcasting Service. The series consisted of 6 seasons, each with 5-7 episodes. Each episode ran approximately 1 hour. Season 1 (1984-1985) episodes include "Time and Light;" "Crossing the Distance;" "Speaking Without Words;" "Designs for Living;" "Filling in the Blanks;" "The Last Flower;" and "Desk in the Jungle." Season 2 (1985-1986) episodes include "Heroes and the Test of Time;" "A Usable Past;" "Where None Has Gone Before;" "On the Shoulders of Giants;" and "American Pie." Season 3 (1986-1987) episodes include "The Wyeths: A Father and His Family;" "Voices of Latin America;" "The Elephant on the Hill;" "The Promise of the Land;" and "Islam." Season 4 (1988-1989) episodes include "The Living Smithsonian;" "American Dream at Groton;" "The Way We Wear;" "Web of Life;" and "The Vever Affair." Season 5 (1990) episodes include "Zoo;" "A Moveable Feast;" "Tales of the Human Dawn;" "Nigerian Art - Kindred Spirits;" and "The Quantum Universe." Season 6 (1991) episodes include "Gender: The Enduring Paradox;" "Selling the Dream;" "From Information to Wisdom;" "A Certain Age;" and "Doors of Perception." Materials include camera footage, film transfers, dubs, PAL dubs, credits, final productions, and promotions. There are a wide variety of videotape formats including 3/4" U-matic, VHS, Betacam SP, and Betacam. Also included in this accession is an interview with Arthur M. Sackler done by Smithsonian World staff on 3/4" U-matic videotape. Reference copies for some episodes are available.

Descriptive Entry

This accession consists of videotapes created during the production of "Smithsonian World," an educational television series that explored people, ideas, and events that shape world culture, blending art, science, history, and the humanities to create an exciting harmony among disciplines. The production was narrated by historian David G. McCullough and co-produced by WETA-TV for broadcast on the Public Broadcasting Service.

The series consisted of 6 seasons, each with 5-7 episodes. Each episode ran approximately 1 hour. Season 1 (1984-1985) episodes include "Time and Light;" "Crossing the Distance;" "Speaking Without Words;" "Designs for Living;" "Filling in the Blanks;" "The Last Flower;" and "Desk in the Jungle." Season 2 (1985-1986) episodes include "Heroes and the Test of Time;" "A Usable Past;" "Where None Has Gone Before;" "On the Shoulders of Giants;" and "American Pie." Season 3 (1986-1987) episodes include "The Wyeths: A Father and His Family;" "Voices of Latin America;" "The Elephant on the Hill;" "The Promise of the Land;" and "Islam." Season 4 (1988-1989) episodes include "The Living Smithsonian;" "American Dream at Groton;" "The Way We Wear;" "Web of Life;" and "The Vever Affair." Season 5 (1990) episodes include "Zoo;" "A Moveable Feast;" "Tales of the Human Dawn;" Nigerian Art - Kindred Spirits;" and "The Quantum Universe." Season 6 (1991) episodes include "Gender: The Enduring Paradox;" "Selling the Dream;" "From Information to Wisdom;" "A Certain Age;" and "Doors of Perception."

Materials include camera footage, film transfers, dubs, PAL dubs, credits, final productions, and promotions. There are a wide variety of videotape formats including 3/4" U-matic, VHS, Betacam SP, and Betacam. Also included in this accession is an interview with Arthur M. Sackler done by Smithsonian World staff on 3/4" U-matic videotape. Reference copies for some episodes are available.

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Access Restriction

Restrictions pertaining to the use of these materials may apply (based on contracts/copyright). Access restrictions may also apply if viewing copies are not currently available. Viewing copies can be made for a fee. Contact reference staff for details.

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This collection is indexed under the following access terms. These are links to collections with related topics, persons or places.

Name

Subject

Physical Characteristics of Materials in the Collection

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Preferred Citation

Smithsonian Institution Archives, Accession 08-081, Smithsonian Institution. Office of Telecommunications, Productions

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Container List

Box 1

"Time and Light," Show #101, Dub from 1", 58:00, 3/4" U-matic

Box 1 of 10

"Time and Light," Show #101, Final Production, 12/1985, 58:02, 3/4" U-matic

Box 1 of 10

"Crossing the Distance," Show #102, WETA, 1/17/1984, 1/17/1984, 3/4" U-matic

Box 1 of 10

"Crossing the Distance," Show #102, Final Production, 57:43, 3/4" U-matic

Box 1 of 10

"Speaking Without Words," Show #103, Final Production, 58:00, 3/4" U-matic

Box 1 of 10

"Speaking Without Words," Show #103, Final Production, 57:56, 3/4" U-matic

Box 1 of 10

"Design for Living," Show #104, Final Production, 58:03, 3/4" U-matic

Box 1 of 10

"Filling in the Blanks," Show #105, Final Production, 58:07, 3/4" U-matic (2 videotapes)

Box 1 of 10

"The Last Flower," Show #106, Final Production, 57:42, 3/4" U-matic

Box 1 of 10

"The Last Flower," Show #106, Final Production, 12/1985, 57:42, 3/4" U-matic

Box 1 of 10

"A Desk in the Jungle," Show #107, Dub, 6/29/1984, 3/4" U-matic

Box 1 of 10

"A Desk in the Jungle," Show #107, Final Production, 58:03, 3/4" U-matic

Box 1 of 10

"Time and Light," Show #101, Film Transfer, 60:00, Beta I

Box 1 of 10

"Crossing the Distance," Show #102, Film Transfer, 60:00, Beta I

Box 1 of 10

"Speaking Without Words," Show #103, Film Transfer, 60:00, Beta I

Box 1 of 10

"Designs for Living," Show #104, Film Transfer, 58:00, Beta I

Box 1 of 10

"Filling in the Blanks," Show #105, Final Production, 12/1985, 58:07, Beta II

Box 1 of 10

"The Last Flower," Show #106, Film Transfer, 60:00, Beta I

Box 1 of 10

Box 2

"A Desk in the Jungle," Show #107, Film Transfer, 60:00, Beta I

Box 2 of 10

"Time and Light," Show #101, Final Production, 58:02, VHS

Box 2 of 10

"Crossing the Distance," Show #102, Final Production, 58:05, VHS

Box 2 of 10

"Speaking Without Words," Show #103, Final Production, 57:56, VHS

Box 2 of 10

"Design for Living," Show #104, Final Production, 58:03, VHS

Box 2 of 10

"Filling in the Blanks," Show #105, Final Production, 58:07, VHS

Box 2 of 10

"Filling in the Blanks," Show #105, Film Transfer, 7/7/1987, Beta I (in VHS case)

Box 2 of 10

"The Last Flower," Show #106, Final Production, 12/1986, 57:42, VHS

Box 2 of 10

"A Desk in the Jungle," Show #107, Final Production, 12/1986, 57:42, VHS

Box 2 of 10

"A Desk in the Jungle," Show #107, Final Production, 57:48, VHS

Box 2 of 10

"Heroes and the Test of Time," Show #201, 57:48, 3/4" U-matic (2 videotapes)

Box 2 of 10

"A Usable Past," Show #202, :30 and :60 Promos, 4/29/1985, 3/4" U-matic

Box 2 of 10

"A Usable Past," Show #202, Dub, 2/14/1985, 57:48, 3/4" U-matic

Box 2 of 10

"A Usable Past," Show #202, Dub, 60:00, 3/4" U-matic

Box 2 of 10

"A Usable Past," Show #202, Final Production, 57:48, 3/4" U-matic

Box 2 of 10

"Where None Has Gone Before," Show #203, 9/3/1985, 57:46, 3/4" U-matic (2 videotapes)

Box 2 of 10

"On the Shoulders of Giants," Show #204, Final Production, 12/1985, 57:36, 3/4" U-matic

Box 2 of 10

Box 3

"American Pie," Show #205, Final Production, 57:48, 3/4" U-matic

Box 3 of 10

"American Pie," Show #205, Final Production, 10/25/1985, 57:48, 3/4" U-matic

Box 3 of 10

"Heroes and the Test of Time," Show #201, Final Production, 57:48, VHS

Box 3 of 10

"Heroes and the Test of Time," Show #201, Final Production, 12/1986, 57:48, VHS

Box 3 of 10

"A Usable Past," Show #202, Final Production, 12/1986, 57:48, VHS

Box 3 of 10

"Where None Have Gone Before," Show #203, Final Production, 57:48, VHS

Box 3 of 10

"On the Shoulders of Giants," Show #204, Final Production, 57:36, VHS

Box 3 of 10

"American Pie," Show #205, Final Production, 2/1986, 57:48, VHS

Box 3 of 10

"The Wyeths: A Father and His Family," Show #301, Final Production, 10/27/1986, 58:00, 3/4" U-matic (2 videotapes)

Box 3 of 10

"The Wyeths: A Father and His Family," Show #301, Final Production, 4/25/1989, 58:00, 3/4" U-matic

Box 3 of 10

"The Wyeths: A Father and His Family," Show #301, :30 and :60 Promos, 3/4" U-matic

Box 3 of 10

"Voices of Latin America," Show #302, Final Production, 58:00, 3/4" U-matic

Box 3 of 10

"Voices of Latin America," Show #302, Final Production, 4/25/1989, 58:00, 3/4" U-matic

Box 3 of 10

"Elephant on the Hill," Show #303, :30 and :60 Promos, 5/13/1987, 3/4" U-matic

Box 3 of 10

"Elephant on the Hill," Show #303, Final Production, 3/4" U-matic (2 videotapes)

Box 3 of 10

Box 4

"The Promise of the Land," Show #304, :30 and :60 Promos, 6/10/1987, 3/4" U-matic

Box 4 of 10

"The Promise of the Land," Show #304, Final Production, 4/25/1989, 57:57, 3/4" U-matic

Box 4 of 10

"The Promise of the Land," Show #304, Final Production, 58:00, 3/4" U-matic

Box 4 of 10

"The Promise of the Land," Show #304, Final Production, 6/10/1987, 58:00, 3/4" U-matic

Box 4 of 10

"Islam," Show #305, :30 and :60 Promos, 7/22/1987, 3/4" U-matic

Box 4 of 10

"Islam," Show #305, Final Production, 57:44, 3/4" U-matic

Box 4 of 10

"Islam," Show #305, Final Production, 7/22/1987, 57:44, 3/4" U-matic

Box 4 of 10

"Voices of Latin America," Show #302, :30 and :60 Promos, 1" Dub, 3/9/1987, Beta S

Box 4 of 10

"The Wyeths: A Father and His Family," Show #301, PAL Dub, 8/15/1995, 58:00, Betacam SP

Box 4 of 10

"The Wyeths: A Father and His Family," Show #301, PAL Dub, 2/3/1998, 58:00, Betacam SP

Box 4 of 10

"The Wyeths: A Father and His Family," Show #301, 58:00, Betacam SP

Box 4 of 10

"The Wyeths: A Father and His Family," Show #301, Final Production, 4/25/1989, 58:00, VHS

Box 4 of 10

"The Wyeths: A Father and His Family," Show #301, Final Production, 11/1986, 58:00, VHS

Box 4 of 10

"The Promise of the Land," Show #304, Final Production, 58:00, VHS

Box 4 of 10

"The Promise of the Land," Show #304, Final Production, 58:00, VHS SP

Box 4 of 10

"The Living Smithsonian," Show #401, :20, :30, and :60 Promos, 9/26/1988, 3/4" U-matic

Box 4 of 10

"The Living Smithsonian," Show #401, Without January 18 Audio Fix, 9/21/1988, 58:00, 3/4" U-matic

Box 4 of 10

Box 5

"The Living Smithsonian," Show #401, Final Production, 10/24/1988, 57:47, 3/4" U-matic

Box 5 of 10

"The Living Smithsonian," Show #401, Final Production, 57:47, 3/4" U-matic

Box 5 of 10

"American Dream at Groton," Show #402, :20, :30, and :60 Promos, 10/13/1988, 3/4" U-matic

Box 5 of 10

"American Dream at Groton," Show #402, Film Transfer, 9/23/1988, 58:00, 3/4" U-matic

Box 5 of 10

"American Dream at Groton," Show #402, Final Production, 9/28/1988, 58:00, 3/" U-matic (2 videotapes)

Box 5 of 10

"American Dream at Groton," Show #402, Final Production, 4/21/1988, 57:54, 3/4" U-matic (2 videotapes)

Box 5 of 10

"The Way We Wear," Show #403, :20, :30, and :60 Promos, 11/22/1988, 3/4" U-matic

Box 5 of 10

"The Way We Wear," Show #403, Final Production, 57:46, 3/4" U-matic (2 videotapes)

Box 5 of 10

"Web of Life," Show #404, Final Production, 1/25/1989, 57:50, 3/4" U-matic (2 videotapes)

Box 5 of 10

"The Vever Affair," Show #405, :20, :30, and :60 Promos, 1/30/1989, 3/4" U-matic

Box 5 of 10

"The Vever Affair," Show #405, Final Production, 1/30/1989, 58:00, 3/4" U-matic

Box 5 of 10

"The Vever Affair," Show #405, Final Production, 58:00, 3/4" U-matic

Box 5 of 10

Box 6

"The Living Smithsonian," Show #401, PAL Dub, 7/20/1995, 57:35, Betacam SP

Box 6 of 10

"The Living Smithsonian," Show #401, PAL Dub, 2/3/1998, 57:35, Betacam SP

Box 6 of 10

"The Living Smithsonian," Show #401, 3/26/1997, 57:34, Betacam SP

Box 6 of 10

"The Web of Life," Show #404, PAL Dub, 7/20/1995, 58:06, Betacam SP

Box 6 of 10

"The Web of Life," Show #404, 57:53, 3/26/1997, Betacam SP

Box 6 of 10

"The Vever Affair," Show #405, PAL Dub, 7/20/1995, 58:06, Betacam SP

Box 6 of 10

"The Vever Affair," Show #405, 3/26/1997, 58:07, Betacam SP

Box 6 of 10

"The Living Smithsonian," Show #401, 57:47, VHS

Box 6 of 10

"The Living Smithsonian," Show #401, 11/21/1988, 57:47, VHS

Box 6 of 10

"American Dream at Groton," Show #402, Final Production, 58:00, VHS

Box 6 of 10

"The Way We Wear," Show #403, Final Production, 57:46, VHS (2 videotapes)

Box 6 of 10

"The Way We Wear," Show #403, Split Audio, 12/26/1988, 57:46, VHS

Box 6 of 10

"Web of Life," Show #404, Final Production, 58:00, VHS

Box 6 of 10

"Web of Life," Show #404, Final Production, 57:50, VHS

Box 6 of 10

"The Vever Affair," Show #405, Final Production, 58:00, VHS

Box 6 of 10

"Zoo," Show #501, :20,:30, and :60 Promos, 12/22/1989, 3/4" U-matic

Box 6 of 10

"Zoo," Show #501, Final Production, 1/24/1989, 57:34, 3/4" U-matic

Box 6 of 10

"A Moveable Feast," Show #502, Film Transfer, 12/18/1989, 56:19, 3/4" U-matic

Box 6 of 10

Box 7

"A Moveable Feast," Show #502, Final Production, 2/21/1990, 57:30, 3/4" U-matic (2 videotapes)

Box 7 of 10

"Tales of the Human Dawn," Show #503, :20, :30, and :60 Promos, 2/26/1990, 3/4" U-matic

Box 7 of 10

"Tales of the Human Dawn," Show #503, :20, :30, and :60 Promos, 2/27/1990, 3/4" U-matic

Box 7 of 10

"Tales of the Human Dawn," Show #503, Final Production, 3/28/1990, 57:57, 3/4" U-matic (2 videotapes)

Box 7 of 10

"Nigerian Art - Kindred Spirits," Show #504, :20, :30, and :60 Promos, 3/26/1990, 3/4" U-matic

Box 7 of 10

"Nigerian Art - Kindred Spirits," Show #504, Final Production, 3/15/1990, 56:22, 3/4" U-matic (2 videotapes)

Box 7 of 10

"Nigerian Art - Kindred Spirits," Show #504, Final Production, 5/2/1990, 57:54, 3/4" U-matic

Box 7 of 10

"The Quantum Universe," Show #505, :20, :30, and :60 Promos, 5/4/1990, 3/4" U-matic (2 videotapes)

Box 7 of 10

"The Quantum Universe," Show #505, Final Production, 6/6/1990, 59:46, 3/4" U-matic

Box 7 of 10

"Zoo," Show #501, PAL Dub, 7/20/1995, 58:00, Betacam SP

Box 7 of 10

"Zoo," Show #501, 3/26/1997, Master, 57:38, Betacam SP

Box 7 of 10

Box 8

"Tales of the Human Dawn," Show #503, NTSC Dub, Master, 8/14/1995, Betacam SP

Box 8 of 10

"Nigerian Art - Kindred Spirits," Show #504, 3/26/1997, 57:59, Betacam SP

Box 8 of 10

"Nigerian Art - Kindred Spirits," Show #504, Duplication Master, 5/30/2003, 57:59, Betacam SP

Box 8 of 10

"Nigerian Art - Kindred Spirits," Show #504, PAL Dub, 7/20/1995, 58:00, Betacam SP

Box 8 of 10

"Nigerian Art - Kindred Spirits," Show #504, PAL Dub, 2/3/1998, Betacam SP

Box 8 of 10

"The Quantum Universe," Show #505, NTSC Dub, 8/14/1995, 58:00, Betacam SP

Box 8 of 10

"The Quantum Universe," Show #505, PAL Dub, 8/15/1995, 58:00, Betacam SP

Box 8 of 10

"The Quantum Universe," Show #505, PAL Dub, 2/3/1998, 58:00, Betacam SP

Box 8 of 10

"Zoo," Show #501, Final Production, 1/24/1990, 57:34, VHS

Box 8 of 10

"A Moveable Feast," Show #502, Final Production, 2/21/1990, 57:30, VHS

Box 8 of 10

"A Moveable Feast," Show #502, Final Production, 57:30, VHS

Box 8 of 10

"Tales of Human Dawn," Show #503, Final Production, 57:57, VHS

Box 8 of 10

"Nigerian Art - Kindred Spirits," Show #504, Dub, 5/30/2003, 57:59, VHS

Box 8 of 10

"Nigerian Art - Kindred Spirits," Show #504, Final Production, 5/2/1990, 57:54, VHS

Box 8 of 10

"The Quantum Universe," Show #505, Final Production, VHS

Box 8 of 10

"Gender: The Enduring Paradox," Show #601, :20, :30, and :60 Promos, 12/21/1990, 3/4" U-matic (2 videotapes)

Box 8 of 10

Box 9

"Gender: The Enduring Paradox," Show #601, Final Production, 1/23/1991, 58:00, 3/4" U-matic

Box 9 of 10

"Selling the Dream," Show #602, Film Transfer, 12/21/1990, 58:00, 3/4" U-matic (Archives Center also has film of this show)

Box 9 of 10

"Selling the Dream," Show #602, Final Production, 2/13/1991, 57:52, 3/4" U-matic (Archives Center also has film of this show)

Box 9 of 10

"From Information to Wisdom," Show #603, Film Transfer, 2/26/1991, 58:00, 3/4" U-matic

Box 9 of 10

"From Information to Wisdom," Show #603, Film Transfer, 4/17/1991, 57:46, 3/4" U-matic

Box 9 of 10

"A Certain Age," Show #604, Final Production, 5/8/1991, 57:54, 3/4" U-matic

Box 9 of 10

"Doors of Perception," Show #605, :20, :30, and :60 Promos, 5/7/1991, 3/4" U-matic (2 videotapes)

Box 9 of 10

"Doors of Perception," Show #605, Final Production, 6/5/1991, 58:00, 3/4" U-matic

Box 9 of 10

"Gender: The Enduring Paradox," Show #601, NTSC Dub, 8/14/1995, 58:00, Betacam SP

Box 9 of 10

"From Information to Wisdom," Show #603, NTSC Dub, 8/14/1995, 58:00, Betacam SP

Box 9 of 10

"From Information to Wisdom," Show #603, NTSC Dub, 4/2/1998, 57:46, Betacam SP

Box 9 of 10

"A Certain Age," Show #604, PAL Dub, 2/3/1998, 58:00, Betacam SP

Box 9 of 10

"A Certain Age," Show #604, PAL Dub, 8/15/1995, 58:00, Betacam SP

Box 9 of 10

"A Certain Age," Show #604, NTSC Dub, 4/2/1998, 58:00, Betacam SP

Box 9 of 10

Box 10

"A Certain Age," Show #604, NTSC Dub, 8/14/1995, 58:00, Betacam SP

Box 10 of 10

"Doors of Perception," Show #605, PAL Dub, 2/3/1998, 58:00, Betacam SP

Box 10 of 10

"Doors of Perception," Show #605, PAL Dub, 8/15/1995, 58:00, Betacam SP

Box 10 of 10

"Doors of Perception," Show #605, NTSC Dub, 4/2/1998, 58:00, Betacam SP

Box 10 of 10

"Doors of Perception," Show #605, NTSC Dub, 8/14/1995, 58:00, Betacam SP

Box 10 of 10

"Gender: The Enduring Paradox," Show #601, :20, :30, and :60 Promos, 12/21/1990, VHS (2 videotapes)

Box 10 of 10

"Gender: The Enduring Paradox," Show #601, 11/29/1990, 57:54, Betacam

Box 10 of 10

"Gender: The Enduring Paradox," Show #601, 1/23/1991, 58:00, VHS

Box 10 of 10

"Selling the Dream," Show #602, 2/13/1991, 57:52, VHS (Archives Center also has film of this show)

Box 10 of 10

"From Information to Wisdom," Show #603, Final Production, 4/17/1991, 57:46, VHS

Box 10 of 10

"From Information to Wisdom," Show #603, Film Transfer, 2/26/1991, 58:00, VHS

Box 10 of 10

"A Certain Age," Show #604, Final Production, 5/8/1991, 57:54, VHS (2 videotapes)

Box 10 of 10

"Doors of Perception," Show #605, :20, :30, and :60 Promos, 5/7/1991, VHS (2 folders)

Box 10 of 10

"Doors of Perception," Show #605, Final Production, 6/5/1991, 58:00, VHS

Box 10 of 10

"Smithsonian World," Promos, VHS

Box 10 of 10

"Smithsonian World," Southwestern Bell Underwriter Credit, :15, 3/4" U-matic

Box 10 of 10

"Smithsonian World," Generic :20, :30, and :60 Promos, 9/26/1988, 3/4" U-matic

Box 10 of 10

"Arthur M. Sackler, MD, Benefactor," Interview Courtesy of Smithsonian World, 8:28, 3/4" U-matic

Box 10 of 10

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