Timothy Brown reminisces about his early fascination with astronomy, building telescopes and an observatory as a child with his father. Brown talks about his undergraduate school experience at Wesleyan University, a small liberal arts school in Middletown, Connecticut, and his work with the physicists on campus, specifically his mentor Jim Faller. Brown did his graduate studies at the University of Colorado, but completed most of his work in Tucson, working for a professor from the University of Arizona as an HAO (High Altitude Observatory) graduate student.

On March 20, April 20, and May 14, 1994, Gisela Kutzbach and colleagues interviewed Verner Suomi, a prominent meteorologist and researcher, about his career and contributions to weather science, particularly satellite-based observations. Suomi reflects on his early life in Minnesota, his academic journey, and his initial work on weather-related research. He discusses his pivotal role in the development of satellite weather observation, focusing on the creation and advancements of the ATS-1 and ATS-3 satellites, which provided essential data for weather forecasting.

On July 13, 1993, Will Kellogg interviewed Vincent E. Lally in Boulder, Colorado, for the American Meteorological Society's Tape Recorded Interview Project. In the interview, Lally reflects on his career in meteorology and atmospheric science, beginning with his education in Brookline, Massachusetts, and subsequent studies at Boston College and MIT. He recounts his involvement in radar operations during World War II and later roles developing meteorological instruments, initially at the Friez Instrument Division and subsequently with the U.S.

Vincent J. Schaefer begins by talking about the gathering led by Tom Malone in the late 1950s to generate a plan for a center to work with problems related to the atmosphere. He describes the differences between the majority of the group, and himself and Vonnegut in philosophies, and the ultimate publication of the Blue Book in February 1959. He discusses his relationship with Walter Orr Roberts when Roberts was at the High Altitude Observatory (HAO) and later at NCAR.

On May 8-9, 1993, Earl Droessler interviewed Vincent Schaefer, a prominent meteorologist, at his home in Schenectady, New York. The interview explores Schaefer’s background in meteorology, including his work with cloud seeding and his contributions to atmospheric sciences. Schaefer discusses his early career, which was shaped by influential mentors like Dr. Langmuir, and his involvement in the American Meteorological Society.

On March 12, 1986, Jeffrey T. Kiehl interviewed Walter M. Elsasser for the American Meteorological Society's Tape Recorded Interview Project. Elsasser reflects on his extensive career spanning physics and atmospheric sciences, detailing his early education in Germany, where he obtained a PhD in 1927, and his transition to the United States. He discusses his initial work in high-energy particle physics and subsequent shift to geophysics, a field he pursued after being advised by renowned figures like A.H.

On September 28, 1994, Lawrence Armi interviewed Walter Munk. The interview explores Munk's formative years in Austria, including his passion for skiing and tennis, and his education under a private tutor before attending a gymnasium and later emigrating to the United States. Sent to New York to train as a banker for his family's business, Munk describes his dissatisfaction with the profession, leading him to pursue studies at Caltech starting in 1937. Munk recounts his transition from banking to science, detailing his unconventional entry to Caltech and his early academic experiences.

In this interview Walter Orr Roberts discusses the Mesa Laboratory and surrounding site, including the Fleischmann Building, and its architect, I.M. Pei. Roberts speaks briefly about his experience designing the High Altitude Observatory (HAO) and how that informed planning of the Mesa Laboratory. Roberts goes into detail discussing the structural and aesthetic design of the Mesa Laboratory and surrounding site; the relationship with the architectural team; Pei’s architectural influences; and how the rooms and spaces have been utilized throughout the years.

Walter Orr Roberts discusses how he came to be NCAR's first director, the purpose for creating a national center, the process for identifying NCAR's initial priorities, the issue of competition between NCAR and university programs, the debate regarding NCAR's focus on research with practical applications, and NCAR's early facilities. Roberts reflects on characteristics of a successful research center, his ideas about administration, and the importance of interdisciplinary research and international cooperation among the scientific community.

In this interview Walter Orr Roberts discusses the war time (World War II) and working in isolation at the observatory in the mining community of Climax, Colorado. He talks about observing the Sun’s corona, using the chronograph and doing special cosmic ray work with gold. The observatory was eventually incorporated jointly with the University of Colorado. Roberts wanted to get the Climax Company’s permission to name the observatory the Climax Solar Observatory, but timing was not on his side. Jack Evans and Roberts decided on a different name, the High Altitude Observatory (HAO).