American Meteorological Society Oral History Project

1 - 10 of 76

Page 1 of 8

  • Collection DOI:
    Principal Investigator:
  • The American Meteorological Society Oral History Project (AMSOHP) aims to capture the history of the atmospheric sciences as told by scientists, administrators, and others working in the field. The collection is especially rich in interviews that capture the memories of scientists who launched much of the innovative meteorological research in post-war America.

    To browse this collection and others, please visit the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Archives: https://aspace.archives.ucar.edu/

Interviewee Sort descending Collection Description Interviewer Date of Interview Location of Interview Affiliation
Arnt Eliassen American Meteorological Society Oral History Project

On October 11, 1989, Joseph Tribbia and Phillip D. Thompson interviewed Arnt Eliassen for the American Meteorological Society’s Tape Recorded Interview Project at Thompson’s residence. Eliassen recounts his early influences in meteorology, starting with seminars led by Vilhelm Bjerknes in 1938 that sparked his interest in the field, and his subsequent studies under Halvor Solberg. He details his academic path, including completing his master’s degree in 1941 during the German occupation of Norway.

Joseph Tribbia, Phillip D. Thompson Boulder, CO American Meteorological Society, University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Arthur Merewether American Meteorological Society Oral History Project

On July 30, 1991, Earl Droessler interviewed Arthur Merewether in Bayside, New York, for the American Meteorological Society's Tape Recorded Interview Project. The interview covers Merewether's extensive contributions to meteorology, including his early career in the Army Air Corps and the formation of the Army Weather Service. Merewether discusses his role in training military meteorologists and highlights the evolution of meteorological education at institutions such as MIT, Caltech, and the University of Chicago.

Earl Droessler Bayside, NY American Meteorological Society, University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Askel C. Wiin-Nielsen American Meteorological Society Oral History Project

On June 29, 1987, Joseph Tribbia, Warren Washington, and Akira Kasahara interviewed Aksel Wiin-Nielsen at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder, Colorado, for the AMS Tape Recorded Interview Project. Wiin-Nielsen discusses his early life, education, and influences, including the significant role his father played in shaping his interest in mathematics and physics. He recounts his academic journey at the University of Copenhagen, his early teaching experiences, and his introduction to meteorology under Ragnar Fjortoft.

Joseph Tribbia, Warren Washington, Akira Kasahara Boulder, CO American Meteorological Society, University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Athelstan Spilhaus American Meteorological Society Oral History Project

On June 28, 1991, George P. Cressman interviewed Athelstan Spilhaus at Spilhaus' home in Virginia for the American Meteorological Society and the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research's Tape Recorded Interview Project. The interview explores Spilhaus' diverse career as a meteorologist, oceanographer, educator, and inventor. Spilhaus recounts his early academic influences, including his studies at the University of Cape Town and MIT, and his transition from aeronautics to meteorology under the mentorship of Carl-Gustaf Rossby.

George P. Cressman Middleburg, VA American Meteorological Society, University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Bernard Vonnegut American Meteorological Society Oral History Project

On May 9, 1993, Earl Droessler interviewed Bernard Vonnegut for the American Meteorological Society's oral history project in Schenectady, New York. The interview focuses on Vonnegut's career in atmospheric sciences, beginning with his education in physical chemistry at MIT and transition into meteorology through collaborations with colleagues like Wallace Howell and Henry Houghton.

Earl Droessler Schenectady, NY American Meteorological Society, University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Carl Christian (C.C.) Wallen American Meteorological Society Oral History Project

Dr. Gordon Cartwright interviewed Dr. Carl Christian (C.C.) Wallen at the headquarters of the World Meteorological Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. The interview highlights Dr. Wallen's extensive career in meteorology and climatology, tracing his early influences and education, his work at the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute, and his collaborations with international organizations such as UNESCO, UNEP, and WMO. Dr.

Gordon Cartwright , Geneva, Switzerland American Meteorological Society, University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Charles E. Anderson American Meteorological Society Oral History Project

On June 24, 1992, Earl Droessler interviewed Charles E. Anderson for the American Meteorological Society’s Recorded Interview Project. Charles E. Anderson begins by recalling his entry into the Army Air Corps at the University of Chicago and his work there under Byers, Wolf, Rossby, Reed, and Starr. He then covers the Black Army Air Corps group based at Tuskegee and his service as a squadron weather officer.

Earl Droessler Raleigh, NC American Meteorological Society, University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Chester Newton American Meteorological Society Oral History Project

On June 25, 1990, Earl Droessler interviewed Dr. Chester Newton at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado, for the American Meteorological Society's Tape Recorded Interview Project. Newton discusses his accidental entry into meteorology, beginning as a U.S. Weather Bureau observer in Phoenix in 1939, and his subsequent career trajectory. He reflects on his wartime service as an aviation cadet trained in meteorology at the University of Chicago, his forecasting duties in India, and his post-war academic achievements, including a Ph.D.

Earl Droessler Boulder, CO American Meteorological Society, University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Chester W. Newton American Meteorological Society Oral History Project

On March 13, 1990, James Fankhauser and Melvyn Shapiro interviewed Dr. Chester W. Newton at the NOAA Research Laboratories in Boulder, Colorado, for the American Meteorological Society and University Corporation for Atmospheric Research's Tape Recorded Interview Project. The interview explores Newton's early education across Alabama, California, and Arizona, leading to his initial engagement with meteorology through a Weather Bureau position.

James Fankhauser , Melvyn Shapiro Boulder, CO American Meteorological Society, University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Clifford Jacobs American Meteorological Society Oral History Project

On April 29, 2013, Richard A. Anthes interviewed Dr. Clifford Jacobs for the National Center for Atmospheric Research Oral History Project at the National Science Foundation (NSF) headquarters. Dr. Jacobs reflects on his early interest in science, particularly inspired by Jacques Cousteau’s invention of the aqualung, and his experiences in scuba diving and mechanical projects during his youth. He recounts his academic journey, obtaining a mathematics degree and a master’s in oceanography at Texas A&M, followed by a Ph.D.

Richard A. Anthes Alexandria, VA American Meteorological Society, University Corporation for Atmospheric Research