Blackadar, Alfred, 1989-09-15

Oral history interview with Alfred K. Blackadar, 1989. Interviewed by Earl Droessler. 1 sound cassette (ca. 1 hr.) : analog, mono. Two physical versions (one master, one copy). Transcript (9 pgs.). Access restrictions; the interview may be examined by scholars approved by UCAR. Forms part of the UCAR/NCAR Oral History Collection. Alfred K. Blackadar speaks about his time on the UCAR Board of Trustees; his involvement as Penn State representative in the 1960s and 1970s. During this time he also served as chairman of the facilities use policy committee and served on the committee on evaluation and goals. Blackadar talks about the purpose of the facilities division, initial concern about its operation and the establishment of the facilities use policy committee as a response to that concern. Blackadar’s time on the evaluation and goals committee was at a rather critical time, NCAR had just participated in the large-scale field program called the Line Islands Experiment (LIE). Looking back, Blackadar believes the experiment provided many valuable lessons that allowed future large-scale field programs to succeed. Blackadar speaks about the evolution of the atmospheric sciences, its significant accomplishments and contributions to the scientific community during the 20th Century and UCAR/NCAR’s leadership role in the field. Blackadar ends the interview with some personal anecdotes about his family origin, early life, interest in astronomy and meteorology, education, professional positions and his family.