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UC San Diego. Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Visibility Laboratory Records
SAC 0038
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Table of contents
Languages:
English
Contributing Institution:
Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego
9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla 92093-0175
Title: UC San Diego. Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Visibility Laboratory Records
Creator:
Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Visibility Laboratory
Identifier/Call Number: SAC 0038
Physical Description:
33.4 Linear feet
(33 record cartons and 1 archives box)
Date (inclusive): 1937-2003 (bulk 1944-1987)
Abstract: The Visibility Laboratory conducted research in the fields of optics and underwater visibility. Funded primarily through U.S.
government contracts, Laboratory researchers studied problems of camouflage, detection, atmospheric optics, and remote sensing
of the Earth and oceans. The records document the administration and contract history of the Laboratory.
Scope and Content of Collection
The Visibility Laboratory conducted research in the fields of optics and underwater visibility. Funded primarily through U.S.
government contracts, Laboratory researchers studied problems of camouflage, detection, atmospheric optics, and remote sensing
of the Earth and oceans. The records document the administration and contract history of the Laboratory, from its World War
II beginnings at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology until its 1987 disestablishment after more than three decades at
the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
Arranged in nine series: 1) ADMINISTRATION, 2) CORRESPONDENCE, 3) CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS, 4) ARMED FORCES-NRC VISION COMMITTEE,
5) PROJECTS, PROPOSALS AND CONTRACTS, 6) REMOTE SENSING OF OCEAN COLOR/CZCS, 7) RESEARCH, WRITINGS AND PRESENTATIONS, 8) SUBJECT
FILES, and 9) PHOTOGRAPHS.
The Visibility Laboratory was founded in 1939 at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) by Dr. Seibert Quimby Duntley
and Dr. Arthur Hardy. Initially funded by the Works Progress Administration, the Laboratory focused on the problem of surface
camouflage in the event of an aerial attack. As World War II continued, the National Defense Research Committee (NDRC) broadened
the Laboratory's scope of research, funding studies in target detection, the visibility of underwater objects, and the detection
of downed pilots.
In 1948, on the recommendation of the National Research Council, the Visibility Laboratory received U.S. Navy support to conduct
research on ocean visibility problems. This increased emphasis on oceanic research influenced the Laboratory's 1952 move from
MIT to the Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO), where it was housed at the Navy Electronics Laboratory in Point Loma,
San Diego.
A successful move to SIO depended greatly on continued funding for staff and research projects while the Laboratory transitioned.
Contracts were secured with the Bureau of Ships, the Office of Naval Research, and the Air Force. Once established at SIO,
the Laboratory's research agenda expanded to include atmospheric optics, optical remote sensing, scientific instrumentation
development, and digital image processing. This expansion was a result of the many major collaborations with international,
federal, and private organizations.
At SIO, the Laboratory's research was structured in three teams: theoretical, electronic, and mechanical. These teams reported
to an assistant director, who in turn reported to the director of the Visibility Laboratory. The director reported to the
Vice Chancellor of Marine Sciences. The Visibility Laboratory flourished at SIO for 35 years, and was a nationally recognized
expert in the field of visibility.
The Visibility Laboratory was disestablished on July 31, 1987. The size of its research staff had dwindled throughout the
1980s, and its offsite location in Point Loma had become a significant barrier to multidisciplinary research projects with
SIO students and faculty. The Laboratory closed and the few remaining principal investigators transitioned to positions elsewhere
at SIO, or became consultants, in order to continue their research. Major research projects underway in the late 1980s continued,
in part, under Roswell Austin.
Directors
Seibert Q. Duntley: Duntley was the founding director of the Visibility Laboratory. From 1939 to 1975, Duntley established
the Laboratory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), spearheaded its research throughout World War II, and guided
its subsequent move to the Scripps Institute of Oceanography (SIO) in 1952. Duntley resigned as Director of the Visibility
Laboratory in 1975 and continued to teach and conduct research until 1977.
James L. Harris, Sr.: Harris succeeded Duntley as director of the Visibility Laboratory in 1975, and served until his resignation
in 1979. An integral part of the Laboratory's research program, he conducted studies on the mathematical modeling of human
vision and digital imagery.
Roswell Austin: Roswell Austin was director of the Visibility Laboratory from 1980 to 1987, after serving as Laboratory manager
for decades. Austin faced downsizing problems as many of the Laboratory's academic staff left and no suitable replacements
were found. His retirement coincided with the official disestablishment of the Visibility Laboratory on July 31, 1987, though
he continued to actively consult and conduct research.
UC San Diego. Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Visibility Laboratory Records. SAC 38. Special Collections & Archives,
UC San Diego.
Acquired 1987-2017.
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE. ALLOW ONE WEEK FOR RETRIEVAL OF MATERIALS.
Publication rights are held by the creator of the collection.
Negative archive indices in Series 9 have been digitized, and are available through links in the container list.
Original audiovisual materials are restricted. Patrons may request user copies for non-digitized items in advance of their
visit.
Seibert Q. Duntley Papers. SMC 58. Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego.
John E. Tyler Papers. SMC 168. Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego.
Rudolph W. Preisendorfer Papers. SMC 159. Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Military research -- United States -- History -- 20th century
Research and development contracts, Government -- United States
Visibility -- Research
Optics -- Research
Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Visibility Laboratory -- Archives
Duntley, Seibert Q.
Harris, James L., Sr.
Austin, R. W. (Roswell W.)
Preisendorfer, Rudolph W.
Gordon, Jacqueline I.
Tyler, John E. (John Edwards), 1911-
Boileau, Almerian R., 1904-2000
Armed Forces-NRC Vision Committee
Project Gemini (U.S.)
Taylor, J. H. (John Hall), 1922-
NIMBUS-G Coastal Zone Color Scanner Program (U.S.)
United States. Navy Department. Bureau of Ships