The aerial photograph collection primarily consists of photographs taken vertically (straight down) using a camera mounted on an aircraft, and is organized by flight. Physical formats include roll film, cut film, prints, and glass negatives. Coverage is mainly of California, though 46 other states and 37 other countries have coverage to some extent. The earliest images are from 1924. The bulk of the coverage is from the 1930s to the 1990s, with the highest concentration in the 1950s and 1960s. The collection includes images flown by Fairchild Aerial Surveys, Mark Hurd Aerial Surveys, Pacific Air Industries, Pacific Western Aerial Surveys and Teledyne Geotronics, among others.
Collecting Priorities
Currently, the only physical materials being collected are those that complete our existing holdings, or fill gaps in our spatial and/or temporal coverage of Santa Barbara County. Digital aerial photographs covering Santa Barbara County and adjacent areas are still being collected.
Materials must be in good condition. Creators, rights-holders, and approximate or exact creation dates must be known.
Selective Collecting Areas
- Fairchild Aerial Surveys history and operations
Selectively Collected Materials
- Correspondence and documentation relevant to company history and operations
- Printed materials published by the company
- Personal photographs if accompanied by identifying information
Exclusions
- Nitrate film
- Cellulose acetate film with signs of Vinegar Syndrome
- Duplicates of other collection materials
Curator
Tom Brittnacher
tombritt@ucsb.edu
