William Houghton photographs, 1954-1973
Part of collection: David Sarnoff Research Center records (2464-09)
Dates
- Creation: 1954-1973
Biographical Note
William D. Houghton (1915-2004) was a reseach engineer at RCA for over thirty-eight years primarily working on video systems.
Houghton graduated from RCA Institutes and joined RCA's communications research facility at Rocky Point, Long Island, New York in 1940. He was instrumental in the development of RCA's color television system.
In 1950, he transferred to Princeton, New Jersey, there he worked on the first color video tape system used to broadcast prerecorded signals over commercial TV stations. Other significant projects include the HomeFax, video voice, and videotape technology.
Scope and Content
This collection has two distinct subjects. A small number of photographs deal with videotape and video voice technology. While the majority of the images deal with the creation and testing of Home Fax. The home fax photographs are mainly basic images printed on plain paper when the system was being tested. There are also photographs of the hybrid television/fax machine showing how it could be used in the home.
Thirty-four of Houghton's lab notebooks (1940-1966) can be found in Record group 26.
Physical Description
82 photographic prints : b&w ; 8 x 10 in. 27 photographic prints : b&w ; 4 x 6 in and smaller. 26 photographic prints : color ; 3 x 5 in. and smaller. 50 facsimile prints : b&w ; 3 x 5 in. 48 facsimile prints : b&w ; 4 x 6 in. and larger. 2 photographic negatives : color ; 4 x 6 in and smaller.
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Extent
From the Collection: 990 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Additional Description
Access Restrictions
Records subject to 25-year time seal.
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Related Names
Subject
- Houghton, William D., 1915-2004 (Person)
Creator
- From the Collection: Sarnoff Corporation (Organization)
- From the Collection: Radio Corporation of America. David Sarnoff Research Center, Princeton, N.J (Organization)
Repository Details
Repository Details
Part of the Manuscripts and Archives Repository
