Watch Mr. Wizard
name: label: Collection Creator
content: Herbert, Don (Donald Jeffry), 1917-2007
setName: label: See more items in
content: Mr. Wizard Papers
label: See more items in
content: Mr. Wizard Papers / Series 6: Educational Programs/Projects
unitdate: label: Date
content: 1954-1989
label: Date
content: bulk 1954-1965
dataSource: label: Archival Repository
content: Archives Center, National Museum of American History
identifier: label: Identifier
content: NMAH.AC.1326, Subseries 6.2
objectType: label: Type
content: Archival materials
scopecontent: label: Scope and Contents
content: This series forms the bulk of the collection and consists of episode files that were prepared for the television series Watch Mr. Wizard from 1951 to 1965.  The files document the meticulous care and preparation that Herbert put into each episode.  Each file--one per episode--contains Herbert's notes for the show; the day's script; black and white photographs taken during rehearsals to plan the experiment; diagrams on graph paper of where he and his young assistants would stand and move; and notes about the technical needs, such as lighting and equipment. 

The files also contain his research notes on the science being demonstrated.  Herbert prided himself on his scientific acumen and consulted with academics to ensure he got it right.  According to historian Marcel LaFollette, a physicist from New York University, was employed by the show as a science advisor during the 1960s to "ensure the authenticity of the demonstrations."

Files for Watch Mr. Wizard starting in 1954-1965, include scripts and notes only.  Beginning in 1958 the files include photographs.  Jules Power Productions, Inc. produced the show.  There are approximately sixteen episode files that do not follow the numbering system (e.g. 63-2) assigned by Herbert. The 63 represented the year 1963 and 2 represented the episode number. These files are arranged at the end of the series, and if available, the title, number and date of the episode are listed. 

Additional information found in this subseries includes a file about the child actors that were featured on Watch Mr. Wizard.  The documentation includes photographs, resumes, biographical sketches, correspondence, and handwritten notes. Photographs and some biographical information for Betty Sue Albert, Pamela Fitzmaurice, Philip Fox,  Edmund Gaynes, Brad Hermann, Alan Howard, Douglas Lane, Rita Mclaughlin, Buzz Podewell, Irene Storm, Stanley Vincent, and Tommy White, are included.