Description
Artifacts (including audio and video recording devices, recordings, and memorabilia) formerly comprising the Ampex Museum
collection; approximately 25,000 photographs (including negatives and prints) and related indexes; documents in hard copy
or microfilm form (including manuals, memos, sales materials, public relations materials, articles, drawings, engineering
notes, specifications, and manuscripts); and other miscellaneous material relating to the history of the Ampex Corporation
and the recording industry.
Background
Founded in 1944 in San Carlos, California by Alexander M. Poniatoff, an electrical engineer born in Russia. Ampex is a technology
leader in high-performance digital information recording and storage products utilized in a variety of fields, including scientific,
government, finance, telecommunications, manufacturing, data processing, oil and gas exploration, engineering, aerospace,
film and video. Primarily known for their mass storage systems, instrumentation/data recorders, helical scan tape drives,
robotic storage libraries, post-production switchers, digital special effects, tape cartridges, and system components.
Restrictions
While Special Collections is the owner of the physical and digital items, permission to examine collection materials is not
an authorization to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. Any transmission
or reproduction beyond that allowed by fair use requires permission from the owners of rights, heir(s) or assigns.
Availability
Collection is open for research; materials must be requested at least 36 hours in advance of intended use. Audiovisual materials
are not available in original format, and must be reformatted to a digital use copy.