Earl I. Sponable papers, 1928-1968
Collection context
- Creator:
- Sponable, Earl I., 1895-1977
- Abstract:
- Earl I. Sponable was a chemist, Chief Engineer and Director of Research for Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation and its subsidiaries, 1926-1962. He was active in many aspects of research and development in broadcast and movie media, particularly in early sound film.
- Extent:
- 125 boxes 125 boxes, 4 oversize folders, 1 pkg. nitrate film (missing as of 2018)
- Language:
- English .
- Scope and content:
-
Correspondence, memoranda, reports, laboratory notebooks, technical drawings, film samples, screen samples, photographs, and printed material of Sponable. The collection is almost entirely technical and commercial in nature and relates especially to Movietone News and to the Fox laboratories' work with color film, television, theater television and the Eidophor System, and Cinemascope. Also, files relating to the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, of which Sponable was a member and officer. There is cataloged correspondence from Sir Edward Gordon Craig, Lee deForest, Samuel Lionel Rothafel, Spyros P. Skouras, and Darryl F. Zanuck.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Earl I. Sponable was born in Plainfield, N.Y., 18 September 1895, attended public schools and in 1916 received the degree of Bachelor of Chemistry from Cornell University. Following his graduation he established, with Theodore W. Case, the Case Research Laboratory at Auburn, N.Y., holding the position of Chief Research Chemist. During World War I he was a civilian consultant to the Naval Experimental Station at New London, Connecticut, working on secret infra-red signaling systems. He remained at Case Laboratories until 1925, working primarily on electrical and mechanical components of sound-on-film recording and reproducing; in the early 1920s he achieved successful television transmission on a closed-circuit system.
Sponable joined the Fox Film Corporation in 1926, and was their Chief Engineer and Director of Research until 1962. He held approximately twenty patents, primarily relating to sound on film, and was the primary developer of the Movietone News newsreels. He was an active member of the Society of Motion Picture Engineers (later the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers) and served as its president in 1949-1950. He died on 16 November 1977.
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
The following boxes are located off-site: 2-120, 122-124. You will need to request this material from the Rare Book and Manuscript Library at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.
This collection has no restrictions.
- Terms of access:
-
Reproductions may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.
- Preferred citation:
-
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Earl I. Sponable papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.
- Location of this collection:
- Before you visit:
- Researchers interested in viewing materials in the RBML reading room must must book an appointment at least 7 days in advance. To make the most of your visit, be sure to request your desired materials before booking your appointment, as researchers are limited to 5 items per day.
- Contact:
- rbml@library.columbia.edu