Alfred Woodcock was a self-taught scientist and observer of nature who made significant contributions to the fields of oceanography and meteorology. He began his career as one of the first employees of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and sailed on the maiden voyage of the research vessel Atlantis in 1931. Woodcock worked as a laboratory and ship's technician, conducting various studies related to hydrography, plankton migration, and meteorology. He authored numerous scientific papers on topics ranging from bird behavior at sea to the role of sea-salt particles in rain and fog formation. During World War II, Woodcock worked on classified projects for the U.S. Navy, contributing to submarine detection methods and naval operations. He also collaborated with Jeffries Wyman on a groundbreaking report that challenged conventional wisdom about cloud mixing. In the 1950s, Woodcock conducted field studies of rain particles in Hawaii and later joined the faculty of the University of Hawaii as a research associate. Throughout his career, he maintained an insatiable curiosity and pursued research in various areas, including mountain breathing, permafrost, and fog formation. Woodcock's contributions to oceanography and meteorology were recognized with an honorary degree from Long Island University in 1963. He remained affiliated with WHOI and was named a scientist emeritus in 1984.

Scope and Content Note
Dr. Alfred Woodcock provides insights into various aspects of his life and career. He discusses his personal background, including his birth in Atlanta, Georgia, and his family's move to Florida. Woodcock describes his upbringing in Atlanta, the work of his parents in the mills and later in the Continental Gin Company, and the loss of his brother Harry at a young age. He also discusses his immediate family, including his wife Mary Ellen and their three children.  Woodcock focuses on his early life and education, highlighting his interest in nature and farming. He talks about his experiences in high school and his limited formal education. The conversation shifts to Dr. Woodcock's time at the Massachusetts Agricultural College (now UMass/Amherst) and his interest in agriculture. He recounts his experiences working on a farm owned by Fred Middleton and his introduction to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution during a sailing trip. Dr. Woodcock discusses his motivation to work at Woods Hole, his impressions of Dr. Bigelow and Columbus Iselin, and his involvement in the research vessel Atlantis. The interview then delves into Dr. Woodcock's scientific endeavors. He explains his process of learning and applying scientific tools, particularly in understanding fluid motion and the inter-frictional relationships between air and water. Dr. Woodcock highlights the significance of understanding graphing techniques and mentions the support he received from scientists like Columbus Iselin and Albert Parr. He also describes his winter duties at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, including conducting titrations to determine water salinities and studying the behavior of soaring birds. Dr. Woodcock reflects on the interdisciplinary nature of oceanography, emphasizing the need to consider various scientific disciplines in studying the oceans comprehensively. He discusses the growth of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution during his early years there, including the increase in staff and facilities. Dr. Woodcock acknowledges the importance of criticism from peers and credits those who provided feedback on his work. Dr. Woodcock shares his experiences in Hawaii and the changes he witnessed over the years. He discusses the untouched nature of Hawaii before it became a popular tourist destination and the reasons for his permanent move to Hawaii, including international cooperation and the opportunity to study cloud physics. The interview then explores Dr. Woodcock's research on raindrop formation, the role of salt particles, and the significance of bubbles in the sea. He discusses his work on studying the breathing of volcanoes and the relationship between volcanic activity and atmospheric pressure changes. The conversation briefly touches on Dr. Woodcock's second wife, Harriet Rossby, and their relationship, as well as the family-like atmosphere at Woods Hole and observations of volcanic eruptions in Hawaii.