Collection context
Summary
- Creators:
- Kvaas, T. Arthur
- Language:
- English.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The collection was donated by T. A. Kvaas (TEMPO Manager - Synthesis), who had been Physical Scientist in the Missiles Division of The RAND Corporation - concerned with aerodynamic and control system design and later Project Engineer for air-to-air weapons; and Chief of Advanced Design Section in Douglas Aircraft Missiles Division - responsible for the direction of new missile weapon system designs.
Other TEMPO staff included: Richard C. Raymond (Manager - Technical Military Planning Operation; selected by General Electric to organize TEMPO in August of 1956); James T. Harker (Manager - Applications); H. O. Paxson (Manager - Environment); Roy L. Stewart, Jr. (Manager - Evaluation); Russel L. Krapf (Manager - Finance and Administration).
The collection mainly consists of unclassified documents and reports, arranged in separate alpha-numeric series. The bulk of the material is from the late 1950s to the mid-1960s.
- Biographical / historical:
-
From TEMPO Technical Military Planning Operation brochure, ca. 1958:
路 TEMPO's task is to lead the Defense Electronics Division in the conception and analysis of major systems for national defense and to focus the talents of engineers and scientists in the equipment operations of the General Electric Company toward the solution of major defense problems.
路 TEMPO's task is to bring together the fruits of research, the apparent course of weapon development throughout the world, and the economic and social factors in world conflict in order to help in the selection , design, and employment of weapon systems which will guarantee the survival of the American way of life.
路 TEMPO concentrates on studies and investigations for - and of interest to - the General Electric Company and the Military Services and their contractors. Included are all technical aspects of weapon systems - from the simple and basic to the complex; from conceptual design to logistics and operation. Some projects are supported by contractual relations with the interested sponsor; others are supported by the Company.
路 In addition to technical work conducted within TEMPO, contributions to these studies are also secured from the General Electric Company's Operating Departments and Laboratories and from outside organizations whose personnel or facilities possess unique capabilities. Experimental work will not be performed by TEMPO, but will be obtained when appropriate.
From TEMPO Santa Barbara pamphlet, early 1960s:
路 General Electric's TEMPO is a long-range planning organization, the first of its kind to be sponsored by private industry. TEMPO was established in 1956; the Santa Barbara location was chosen to provide isolation from the day-to-day interchange with engineering and manufacturing functions of General Electric and to encourage independent and objective studies by the technical staff.
路 TEMPO is concerned primarily with the world of 5 to 15 years from today. Social, Economic, military, technological, and political trends which may affect a particular problem are projected to establish the environment in which the problem must be addressed. Alternative policies and systems reflecting this environment are then developed and tested in terms of benefits and costs, and preferred courses of action are recommended to the customer.
路 Although originally subsidized by G.E.'s Aerospace and Defense divisions, TEMPO is self-supporting with a wide clientele in government and industry. The total staff presently numbers about 300 persons with an annual business in excess of $5 million. Most TEMPO studies have been defense-oriented, but the trend is toward achieving a balance of defense and non-defense work.
- Physical location:
- For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the library's online catalog.
- Physical description:
- 10 linear feet (8 boxes)
Access and use
- Location of this collection:
-
UC Santa Barbara LibrarySanta Barbara, CA 93106-9010, US
- Contact:
- (805) 893-3062