Papers: c. 1930s–1970s
4 boxes and 1 Oversize Item, c.2 linear feet
R. Buckminster Fuller was born on July 12, 1895, in Milton, Massachusetts. He attended both Harvard and United States Naval Academy. As a distinguished engineer, mathematician, inventor, designer, mechanic, writer, and philosopher, he became one of the most controversial personalities of the machine age. His creations included the Dymaxion House (1927), the Dymaxion Steel Igloo (1935), and a three wheeled automobile with rear engine (1940). He designed geodesic structures for the US Armed Forces and the Ford Motor Company. In the 1960's he designed the New York World's Fair Pavilion Dome and the US Pavilion for Expo '67 in Montreal.
Author of numerous books, "Bucky" Fuller lectured at leading schools of architecture and design throughout the country, such as Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Michigan, and University of California. Lecture topics included his revolutionary new ideas regarding lightness and economy in construction and housing as a crucial world engineering problem, among others. His numerous honors included the Award of Merit from the New York Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (1952), the Centennial Award from Michigan State University (1955), the Gold Medal from the American Institute of Architects (1960), and the Creative Achievement Award from Brandeis University (1964).
R. Buckminster Fuller died in Los Angeles, California in 1983.
This holding consists of materials covering a wide range of Dr. Fuller’s professional activities. The collection spans from the 1930s to the 1970s, but the vast majority of materials concentrate on the late 1960s, when Fuller was at the apex of his long and successful career. The collection includes correspondence, manuscripts, lecture notes, and printed materials.