SANDIA HISTORY PROGRAM	NEWSLETTER
Unlimited Distribution  Sand97-1100		November 1997

SANDIA HISTORY GOES INTO REPRINT The first printing in July of Sandia National Laboratories: A History of Exceptional Service in the National Interest quickly sold out. A reprint of 2000 copies is now available through the National Atomic Museum store (284-3242) at $29.95 a copy (sorry, the special discount for retirees and Sandia employees was only offered for the first printing). TECH AREA II HISTORY Building 904 in November 1948; looking southeast Research Historian Rebecca Ullrich recently completed a draft history of Tech Area II as part of the documentation to be provided to DOE and the New Mexico State Historic Preservation Officer to assist them in determining the historic and architectural significance of Area II and its buildings. The original buildings in the area, 901, 904, and 907, were built in the late 1940s for the final assembly of the non-nuclear portion of nuclear weapons, specifically the incorporation of high explosives. Tech Area II represents a significant aspect of Sandia’s early history and was a key facility for the nation’s nuclear weapon program. WIPP EXHIBIT Angela Carrillo and Tony Gardello examine the new WIPP exhibit at the Credit Union (Juan Tabo and Comanche, Northeast). The new History Program exhibit is an overview of the WIPP project in southeastern New Mexico. By means of historic photographs and graphics, the display provides a brief chronology of the development of WIPP--Sandia’s longest-lasting and most high-profile undertaking. Sandia first became involved in 1974 at the request of ERDA and now, 24 years later, is still principal scientific consultant. The many Sandians who have been and are still involved in this project are hopeful that 1998 will finally see the opening of the WIPP facility. The exhibit may be seen in the corridor of Building 894 at the north end, and at the Credit Union on Juan Tabo and Comanche. Corporate Historian Carl Mora is preparing a history of the WIPP project that is scheduled for publication in 1999. Based on interviews and archival records, the narrative will focus on the experiences of the individuals who worked on this project and the innovative ways in which they solved the many technical challenges encountered. Anyone having any materials or personal recollections of the WIPP project is welcome to call Carl at 844-8011. HISTORY EXHIBIT FOR THE CENTER FOR NATIONAL SECURITY AND ARMS CONTROL (CNSAC) DEDICATION Research Historian Rebecca Ullrich and Archivist Myra O’Canna developed an historical exhibit titled "Advancing National Security - Past to Present" for the dedication of the CNSAC building on August 28, 1997. Thanks to Mark Greenslete of the Weapon Knowledge Management Department we were able to include visually unclassified MK5 and B61-11 bombs as part of the exhibit. This allowed exhibit visitors to see how Sandia’s weapon designs have evolved over the last 45 years. The exhibit included photos and captions of personnel from the Crossroads test in 1946; component testing in a cold chamber in the 1950s; rocket sled testing; laydown weapon testing at the Tonopah Test Range in 1958; a 1997 computer calculation of B61-11 penetration; a Trident II submarine launch; Vela, GPS and DSP satellites; and photos of Paul Robinson and Roger Hagengruber with Russian officials. The dedication of this facility was a truly historic occasion and an excellent opportunity to exhibit Sandia’s history of work in national security and arms control. Research Historian Rebecca Ullrich beside the Mk 5 bomb displayed at the CNSAC exhibit. A view of the CNSAC exhibit prepared by the History Program NEWS FROM CORPORATE ARCHIVES Myra O’Canna, Archivist, plans to establish a Corporate Archives Advisory Board of five or six members. Membership on the board will include two or three current employees and two or three retirees. Although one current employee and two retirees have expressed an interest in participating on the board, we would like to locate several others with various areas of expertise. The purpose of the board is to help establish Corporate Archive collection criteria, to evaluate current collection materials, and to identify collection needs. The Corporate Archives budget will allow minimal reimbursement for members’ services. If you are interested in participating on the advisory board and are willing to assist with 10-40 hours of your time in FY98, please contact Myra at 844-6315. STILL PHOTO COLLECTION The Geodesic Dome (now located in the northeast corner of Tech Area I) originally housed Sandia displays for the 1958 State Fair. It was called the "Sphere of Science" and featured mechanical and scientific exhibits. The Corporate Archives became responsible for Sandia’s Still Photo collection in 1995. Since that time, we have indexed about 20,000 negatives, starting with the earliest, onto a word searchable database. This database has allowed us to respond to requests for photos of early weapons. Shirley Morris, Archives assistant and Still Photo clerk, is also scanning high-interest photos onto the Creative Arts image management database, C-Quest. By the end of 1997, all the photos that appeared in the new Sandia general history and some early Lab News photos will be available on C-Quest. If you have an interest in accessing C-Quest, call Russell Smith at 844-9139. If you need help locating photos we may have indexed or scanned, call Shirley at 844-7404. If you have photos that you would like indexed and stored in the Still Photo Collection, fill out form SA 1400-ICF (available on the Corporate Forms Home Page) and submit the form along with the photos to Shirley at MS 0612. Recorded Information Management Department 15102 Mail Stop 0612 Fax: 844-2621 Manager: Anna Nusbaum, 845-9440, e-mail: awnusba@sandia.gov Corporate Historian: Carl J. Mora, 844-8011, e-mail: cjmora@sandia.gov Archives Coordinator: Myra O'Canna, 844-6315, e-mail: mlocann@sandia.gov Archives and Still Photo Clerk: Shirley Morris, 844-7404, e-mail: samorris@sandia.gov