Legacy Mindset: AIP’s Library & Archives Preserves Stories—And They Want Yours

What was it like to be one of the first women to graduate with a PhD in physics from MIT? How did military service in World War II shape a generation of physical scientists? What was it like working as a physicist at companies like Polaroid and IBM in the latter half of the 20th century? Thankfully, we don’t need to speculate. That’s because scientists like Dorothy Walcott Weeks, Jack Oliver, and Elizabeth Moore wrote down their life stories and gave copies of those memoirs to American Institute of Physics’ (AIP’s) Niels Bohr Library & Archives. Through them we can read firsthand accounts of what it was like to grow up at different places and times, find a passion for physics, engage in meaningful work to advance science and industry, and live rich, full lives as scientists in society.

Since starting my job as AIP’s first chief research officer earlier this year, I have set aside time to explore some of the treasures in the Niels Bohr Library & Archives. Alongside rare copies of works from Ptolemy, Bacon, and Newton are works I find far more precious and unique. Our manuscript biographies collection contains more than 500 unpublished memoirs and autobiographies of physical scientists. Since the late 1960s, AIP has been soliciting, preserving, and sharing these personal accounts of scientists in the 20th and 21st centuries.

It’s a lot of fun to connect with and explore someone’s life story. For example, consider Shakespeare Got It Wrong. It’s Not “To Be,” It’s “To Do!” The Autobiographical Memoirs of a Lucky Geophysicist, by Jack Oliver. In this memoir, Oliver tells us about his education and work to advance our understanding of plate tectonics. He also provides us with a series of geophysics limerick interludes! In the preface, Oliver notes that writing this autobiography was stimulated by a request from AIP. Without that request, it is quite likely that no one would have access to his story. Which brings me to my request to you.

Many of the interesting, unique stories of the lives of physical scientists in the 20th and 21st centuries have yet to be documented, shared, and preserved. If you’re retired or late in your physical science career, consider taking the time to write your story. If you choose to do so, we would love to provide a home for it. Your memoir can further enrich our growing collection of stories that capture what it was like for scientists during these pivotal times.

Knowing the importance of history and stories to finding connection and belonging in science, we are particularly interested in adding accounts that document the stories of physical scientists with diverse experiences and backgrounds. Sharing your story can open the door for others to follow in your footsteps and potentially see a place for themselves in science.