If you have a special event, such as landmark ceremony, in which an opportunity arises to interview an inventor, a design team or a mechanical engineer whose expertise is well known, whose career has been remarkable, or who has witnessed notable events in the development of technology, the profession or ASME, you may wish to prepare an interview, an oral-video history for submission to submit to the History and Heritage Committee of ASME.

Tapes accepted into ASME's Oral/Video History program can become eligible to be registered with appropriate archives for the benefit of researchers, students and posterity. It is a unique, interesting and valuable contribution to the history of ASME, the profession and the work of mechanical engineers.

The following information was excerted from ASME's Public Information guide:

Taping

Consider this activity, especially if you have:

• an expert in industry discuss significant technology or issues
• an unusually charismatic presenter
• a potentially historic occasion to capture for posterity

ASME's Public Information can be a good clearinghouse for these tapes. Public Information is able to maintain a collection of quality tapes and related materials so that they can be reproduced and distributed for use by membership and the public, if demand warrants it. To make the tapes useful, you will need:

• broadcast-quality equipment (including some knowledge of lighting and sound, for videotaping)
• documentation that identifies the speakers, the event, background information and contacts
• a release form giving ASME the rights to use the tapes and accompanying materials

Video Equipment

If you have to borrow or rent the equipment, look for a Beta SP video camera or mini-DV camera with a tripod, either from a video production service or from studio facilities at companies or universities, which are often available for little or no cost. These facilities usually have a person who will operate the equipment or give you operating instructions.

Use broadcast-quality premium tape stock. Do not use other formats, such as VHS or 8 mm.

Unless you are experienced in videotaping, keep the shooting simple. Frequent and fancy angle changes may be distracting to the subject and add little to the product. Come in close to your subject, focusing on the top third of the body, and keep the subject in the center. Use a tripod, lighting kits and sound mixers.

Audio Recording

Use standard cassette formats at normal standard speed when recording on audio cassettes. Do not use microcassettes or reel-to-reel.

Before Sending In Your Tape

Upon completing the tape, you need to provide information that will make it easy to use, promote and archive.

Label the tape(s) clearly, identifying all speakers, the event title, the date of taping and place.

Provide either a transcript of the tape or a written copy of the presentation. To promote the availability of the tape or if researchers are interested in learning from it, it will be necessary to identify the subject, understand the content and know how names are spelled.

Pull together some background information, such as a short biography, resume, or article written by the subject, to accompany the tape.

Submit a basic release form, signed by the subject and by the person who owns the tapes. This should include a statement such as "I hereby give ASME International (the American Society of Mechanical Engineers), for whatever scholarly, educational, or promotional purposes may be determined, the video and/or audio recordings, transcriptions and contents of the presentation identified below."

In addition to dated signatures, include addresses, the occasion of the event (purpose, location, date, etc.) and any special restrictions requested.

Consider sending along photographs of the event. Glossy 35mm prints or high-resolution digital formats are preferred. Photograph captions, credits and permissions must accompany these. Identify this information carefully preferably on the back of each with a pencil or label. Do not attach paperclips to any photograph, and do not use ink that will stain or mark the photograph beneath it. See the section of this manual on "Photography Principles" for more information.

Be sure you make copies of the tape for yourself (or your ASME section or technical community unit) before trusting the original to the mails. Send the original tape with accompanying materials to ASME Public Information, Attention: AV Collections.