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Oral history interview with Walter C. Pitman III, 1997.

Creator: Pitman, Walter C.
Project: Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory oral history collection.
(see all project interviews)
Phys. Desc. :Transcript 126 pages Sound recording 5 audiocassettes
Location: Columbia Center for Oral History
Full CLIO record >>

Biographical Note

Physical oceanographer.

Scope and Contents

Born Newark, New Jersey; family genealogy; life-long interest in art and literature; Morristown School for Boys; Lehigh University, B.S. physics and math, 1956; Hazeltine Corporation, New Jersey, 1956-1960: submarine warfare project administrator, interest in physical oceanography; Lamont Geological Observatory [Lamont], 1960-present; technician on 1960 Vema Atlantic Ocean voyage: professionalism of captain and crew, seismic reflection data collecting; Elantin 1965 Pacific Ocean voyage; completion of Ph.D. at Columbia University; career highlights: 1966 magnetic anomaly paper, work on Cretaceous sea level changes; Lamont’s development since the 1960s: site expansion, limitations on classified research, explosion of knowledge in the earth sciences, growing importance of environmentally focused work, interdisciplinary research, international collaborations; reflections on staff and colleagues.

Subjects

Access Conditions

Copyright by the Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York, 1999

Using this collection

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