The Visibility Laboratory conducted research in the fields of optics and underwater visibility. Funded primarily through U.S. government contracts, Laboratory researchers studied problems of camouflage, detection, atmospheric optics, and remote sensing of the Earth and oceans. The records document the administration and contract history of the Laboratory.
Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Visibility Laboratory Records, 1937-2003 (bulk 1944-1987) (SAC 38)
OFF-SITE STORAGE: COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE. ALLOW ONE WEEK FOR RETRIEVAL OF MATERIALS.
Restrictions: Original media recording formats are restricted. Viewing/listening copies are available
for researchers.
Extent: 33.4 Linear feet (33 record cartons and 1 archives box)
Digital Content
Negative archive indices in Series 9 have been digitized, and are available through links in the container list.
The Visibility Laboratory was founded in 1939 at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) by Dr. Seibert Quimby Duntley and Dr. Arthur Hardy. Initially funded by the Works Progress Administration, the Laboratory focused on the problem of surface camouflage in the event of an aerial attack. As World War II continued, the National Defense Research Committee (NDRC) broadened the Laboratory's scope of research, funding studies in target detection, the visibility of underwater objects, and the detection of downed pilots.
In 1948, on the recommendation of the National Research Council, the Visibility Laboratory received U.S. Navy support to conduct research on ocean visibility problems. This increased emphasis on oceanic research influenced the Laboratory's 1952 move from MIT to the Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO), where it was housed at the Navy Electronics Laboratory in Point Loma, San Diego.
A successful move to SIO depended greatly on continued funding for staff and research projects while the Laboratory transitioned. Contracts were secured with the Bureau of Ships, the Office of Naval Research, and the Air Force. Once established at SIO, the Laboratory's research agenda expanded to include atmospheric optics, optical remote sensing, scientific instrumentation development, and digital image processing. This expansion was a result of the many major collaborations with international, federal, and private organizations.
At SIO, the Laboratory's research was structured in three teams: theoretical, electronic, and mechanical. These teams reported to an assistant director, who in turn reported to the director of the Visibility Laboratory. The director reported to the Vice Chancellor of Marine Sciences. The Visibility Laboratory flourished at SIO for 35 years, and was a nationally recognized expert in the field of visibility.
The Visibility Laboratory was disestablished on July 31, 1987. The size of its research staff had dwindled throughout the 1980s, and its offsite location in Point Loma had become a significant barrier to multidisciplinary research projects with SIO students and faculty. The Laboratory closed and the few remaining principal investigators transitioned to positions elsewhere at SIO, or became consultants, in order to continue their research. Major research projects underway in the late 1980s continued, in part, under Roswell Austin.
Directors
Seibert Q. Duntley: Duntley was the founding director of the Visibility Laboratory, and led the program from 1939 to 1975. Duntley established the Laboratory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), spearheaded its research throughout World War II, and guided its subsequent move to the Scripps Institute of Oceanography (SIO) in 1952. Duntley resigned as Director of the Visibility Laboratory in 1975 and continued to teach and conduct research until 1977.
James L. Harris, Sr.: Harris succeeded Duntley as director of the Visibility Laboratory in 1975, and served until his resignation in 1979. An integral part of the Laboratory's research program, he conducted studies on the mathematical modeling of human vision and digital imagery.
Roswell Austin: Roswell Austin was director of the Visibility Laboratory from 1980 to 1987, after serving as Laboratory manager for decades. Austin faced downsizing problems as many of the Laboratory's academic staff left and no suitable replacements were found. His retirement coincided with the official disestablishment of the Visibility Laboratory on July 31, 1987, though he continued to actively consult and conduct research.
The Visibility Laboratory conducted research in the fields of optics and underwater visibility. Funded primarily through U.S. government contracts, Laboratory researchers studied problems of camouflage, detection, atmospheric optics, and remote sensing of the Earth and oceans. The records document the administration and contract history of the Laboratory, from its World War II beginnings at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology until its 1987 disestablishment after more than three decades at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
Arranged in nine series: 1) ADMINISTRATION, 2) CORRESPONDENCE, 3) CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS, 4) ARMED FORCES-NRC VISION COMMITTEE, 5) PROJECTS, PROPOSALS AND CONTRACTS, 6) REMOTE SENSING OF OCEAN COLOR/CZCS, 7) RESEARCH, WRITINGS AND PRESENTATIONS, 8) SUBJECT FILES, and 9) PHOTOGRAPHS.