Finding Aid for the L. G. Roberts (Lawrence G.) papers LSC.2328
Finding aid prepared by Ashton Prigge under the supervision of Kelly Besser, 2018. Processed by May Chua and Gretta S. Treuscorff
in 2012, with additional assistance from Sonia Collazo.
UCLA Library Special Collections
2018 July 26
Room A1713, Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575
Business Number: 310-825-4988
Fax Number: 310-206-1864
AskLSC@library.ucla.edu
Contributing Institution:
UCLA Library Special Collections
Title: L. G. Roberts (Lawrence G.) papers
Creator:
Roberts, L. G. (Lawrence G.)
Identifier/Call Number: LSC.2328
Physical Description:
0.4 Linear Feet
(1 box)
Date (inclusive): 1962-2009
Abstract: In 1965, L. G. Roberts (Lawrence G.) successfully implemented the first computer-to-computer packet link between MIT and Systems
Development Corporation (SDC). In 1966, Roberts became the chief scientist and in 1967 the director of the Information Processing
Techniques Office (IPTO) of the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA), later renamed the Defense Advanced Research Projects
Agency (DARPA) of the United States Department of Defense (DoD). As director, Roberts was responsible for designing and managing
the implementation of the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANET) computer communications network, a research
packet switching computer communications network that was the precursor to the internet.
The collection contains the professional and research files of L. G. Roberts dating from 1962 to 2009 and includes publications;
notes written by Roberts concerning the development of the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANET); notes on the
internet and on networked computing more broadly; professional correspondence.
Physical Location: Stored off-site. All requests to access special collections material must be made in advance using the request button located
on this page.
Language of Material: Materials are in English.
Conditions Governing Access note
Open for research. All requests to access special collections materials must be made in advance using the request button located
on this page.
Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use
Property rights to the objects belong to UCLA Library Special Collections. All other rights, including copyright, are retained
by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue
the copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not hold the copyright.
Immediate Source of Acquisition note
The collection was donated in December 2011 by Lawrence G. Roberts to the UCLA Kleinrock Internet History Center.
UCLA Catalog Record ID
Preferred Citation note
[Identification of item], Roberts, L. G. (Lawrence G.) papers (Collection 2328). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles
E. Young Research Library, University of California, Los Angeles.
Custodial History note
This collection was acquired by University Archivist Charlotte Brown for a proposed Kleinrock Center for Internet Studies
(KCIS) at UCLA in 2011. The former collection number was KCIS001.
Processing Information note
Processed by Ashton Prigge under the supervision of Kelly Besser, 2018. Processing by May Chua and Gretta S. Treuscorff with
assistance from Sonia Collazo was supported by UCLA University Archives and Kleinrock Internet History Center, 2012.
Collections are processed to a variety of levels depending on the work necessary to make them usable, their perceived user
interest and research value, availability of staff and resources, and competing priorities. Library Special Collections provides
a standard level of preservation and access for all collections and, when time and resources permit, conducts more intensive
processing. These materials have been arranged and described according to national and local standards and best practices.
We are committed to providing ethical, inclusive, and anti-racist description of the materials we steward, and to remediating
existing description of our materials that contains language
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Biographical/Historical note
L. G. Roberts (Lawrence G.) was born in Connecticut in 1937, the son of Elliott and Elizabeth Roberts. After graduating with
his BS (1959), MS (1960), and PhD (1963) in Electrical Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Roberts
began work at MIT's Lincoln Laboratory, where he carried out research on computer networks. In 1965, Roberts successfully
implemented the first computer-to-computer packet link between MIT and Systems Development Corporation (SDC).
In 1966, Roberts became the chief scientist and in 1967 the director of the Information Processing Techniques Office (IPTO)
of the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA), later renamed the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) of the
United States Department of Defense (DoD). As director, Roberts was responsible for designing and managing the implementation
of the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANET) computer communications network, a research packet switching computer
communications network that was the precursor to the internet.
In 1973, Roberts left IPTO to form the first commercial packet network, Telenet, where he held the position of Chief Executive
Officer (CEO) until his departure in 1980. Starting in 1983, Roberts served as CEO of NetExpress and of Netmax Communications,
president of ATM Systems, and founded Caspian Networks and Anagran Inc. while continuing his work with network technology.
For the development of computer packet switching and network technology, Roberts received many honors and awards including
the Charles Stark Draper prize (2001) and Secretary of Defense Meritorious Service Medal (1973).
Scope and Contents note
This collection documents the professional and research life of L. G. (Lawrence G.) Roberts who was the Advanced Research
Projects Agency (ARPA) program manager responsible for designing and managing the implementation of the Advanced Research
Projects Agency Network (ARPANET) in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The materials represent Robert's activities during the
early period of development (1966-1973) of the packet computer network, ARPANET, started by the Department of Defense. The
collection includes original data rate charts, logical and geographic maps, presentation slides, reports, conference itineraries,
trade and scholarly publications, and correspondence relating to the cost, efficiency, research and development of the ARPANET.
Materials dated later than 1973 consist primarily of special interest and trade publications which document the accomplishments
of Roberts, the development of the ARPANET, and early computer networking history.
Arrangement note
The collection has been arranged in the following series:
Series 1: Network Notes and Diagrams, 1969-1988
Series 2: Correspondence, 1963-1973
Series 3: Publications, 1962-2009
Existence and Location of Copies
Related Material
Subjects and Indexing Terms
ARPANET (Computer network).
Roberts, L. G. (Lawrence G.) -- Archives
United States. Advanced Research Projects Agency
Series 1: Network notes and diagrams
1969-1988
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
PORTIONS OF THIS SERIES HAVE BEEN DIGITIZED. All requests to access special collections material must be made in advance using
the request button located on this page.
Scope and Contents note
Series 1 contains notes and diagrams relating to L. G. Roberts' work including calculations, diagrams, graphs, charts, logical
and geographical maps, network topologies, presentations, project descriptions, cost analysis, data usage analysis, traffic
analysis, and ARPANET reports.
box 1, folder 1
Integrated Travel Reservation System
1978
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
THESE ITEMS HAVE BEEN DIGITIZED. All requests to access special collections materials must be made in advance using the request
button located on this page.
Scope and Content
This file contains sketches that propose an integrated travel reservation system.
box 1, folder 1
ARPANET presentation
circa 1972
Scope and Content
This file contains various diagrams and flow charts regarding the functionality of the ARPANET.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
THESE ITEMS HAVE BEEN DIGITIZED. All requests to access special collections materials must be made in advance using the request
button located on this page.
box 1, folder 1
ARPANET notes
Scope and Content
This file contains evaluation notes of the ARPANET.
box 1, folder 1
ARPANET network traffic notes
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
THESE ITEMS HAVE BEEN DIGITIZED. All requests to access special collections materials must be made in advance using the request
button located on this page.
Scope and Content
This file contains documentation which describes ARPA Network traffic by participant organization.
box 1, folder 1
ARPA Network data rates
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
THESE ITEMS HAVE BEEN DIGITIZED. All requests to access special collections materials must be made in advance using the request
button located on this page.
Scope and Content
This file contains graphs which describe data rates for nodes within the ARPANET.
box 1, folder 1
ARPANET graphs
1973
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
THESE ITEMS HAVE BEEN DIGITIZED. All requests to access special collections materials must be made in advance using the request
button located on this page.
Scope and Content
This file contains graphs regarding throughput speed, ARPA Network cost vs. capacity, 21 node net, and actual ARPANET.
box 1, folder 1
ARPANET node notes
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
THESE ITEMS HAVE BEEN DIGITIZED. All requests to access special collections materials must be made in advance using the request
button located on this page.
Scope and Content
This file contains various notes and diagrams detailing the locations and connections between nodes of the ARPANET.
Series 2: Correspondence
1963-1973
Scope and Contents note
Series 2 contains correspondence relating to the professional activity of L. G. Roberts. This series includes original and
duplicate incoming correspondence from the Intergalactic Computer Network, International Business Machines (IBM), and University
of California's Office of the President.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
PORTIONS OF THIS SERIES HAVE BEEN DIGITIZED. All requests to access special collections material must be made in advance using
the request button located on this page.
box 1, folder 2
Intergalactic Computer Network memorandum
1963
box 1, folder 2
IBM letter
1967
Scope and Content
Letter to Roberts from Peter W. Markstein of International Business Machines (IBM) Corporation.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
THIS ITEM HAS BEEN DIGITIZED. All requests to access special collections materials must be made in advance using the request
button located on this page.
box 1, folder 2
University of California Data Communication letter
1972
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
THIS ITEM HAS BEEN DIGITIZED. All requests to access special collections materials must be made in advance using the request
button located on this page.
box 1, folder 2
Telenet Communications Corporation news release
1973
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
THIS ITEM HAS BEEN DIGITIZED. All requests to access special collections materials must be made in advance using the request
button located on this page.
Scope and Content
A news release from Telenet Communications Corporation announcing Dr. Roberts' appointment as President and Chief Executive
Officer.
Series 3: Publications
1962-2009
Scope and Contents note
This series contains conference papers, trade and scholarly publications, special interest publications, and ARPA publications
documenting the evolution of ARPA network and development.
box 1, folder 3-4
Publications by Roberts
1966-2009
Scope and Content
This file contains papers individually and jointly authored by Roberts.
box 1, folder 5
Publications collected by Roberts
1962-2001
Scope and Content
This file includes publications regarding the history of the internet.