The Harrison "Buzz" Price collection, 1952-2006 is comprised of reports, proposals, research, photographs, and company files related to Price's work career as an economics consultant for theme parks and tourist attractions. The collection primarily documents the business activities of the Harrison Price Company (HPC), but some materials from earlier projects with Economic Research Associates (ERA) are also included. This collection offers insight into the theme park and tourism industry in the U.S. and internationally. It features background research involved in planning attractions, feasibility analysis reports for attraction locations, and notes from collaborative sessions on project ideas. Price was involved in projects for Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Six Flags, Universal Studios, MGM, Cedars Fair, Knott's Berry Farm, and several other entertainment organizations and resorts. The papers are divided into eight series: Reports, Proposals, Speeches, World's Fairs, Images, Subject Research Materials, Project Research Materials, and Price Company Files. Harrison "Buzz" Price was born in Oregon City, Oregon on May 17, 1921. In 1930, his family moved to San Diego, California. In 1942, Price earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the California Institute of Technology. After serving in the Army during World War II, he also earned an M.B.A. from Stanford in 1951. That same year, Price joined the Stanford Research Institute, where he assisted in locating the site for Disneyland in Anaheim, California. He managed the Stanford Research Institute's LA office for several years before founding Economic Research Associates (ERA), a consulting company in economics, in 1958. While at ERA, Price helped to locate the site for Walt Disney World in Central Florida in 1963, wrote a Universal Studios tour feasibility analysis in 1964, and carried out 6,000 consulting studies. In 1969, Price sold ERA to Planning Research Corporation, the world's largest conglomerate of professional service consulting. He became Planning Research Corporation's Chairman of the Board after serving seven years in corporate management. Price went on to start an independent consulting company in 1978, founding the Harrison Price Company. In 1994, Price was the first recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) and was elected to the International Association of Amusement Parks Hall of Fame in 1995. For 37 years and up until his death, Price served, alongside Edie Wasserman, as a trustee of the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts). Price also published a book in 2004 about his work in the themed entertainment and attractions business titled Walt's Revolution! By the Numbers. Harrison "Buzz" Price passed away in Pomona, California on August 15, 2010, at the age of 89.
The papers of science fiction writer Harry Harrison, who was probably best known for his Stainless Steel Rat character. The collection primarily consists of typescripts, setting copies, and copyedited proofs of many of Harrison's published and unpublished works as well as a small amount of correspondence.
This collection consists of publications relating to a bird migration study conducted by Harry Robinson. Robinson has been conducting research in the eastern half of Lake Apopka North Shore Restoration Area since August 15, 1998. Thus far, Robinson has published annual reports for the first sixteen years of his study of the 10,000 acre Central Florida reserve. Additionally, he has published three five-year reports. His study is currently ongoing and further publications of his research are forthcoming.
Helen E. Walsh served in the Women's Army Corps from September 1942 to October 1945. She served as an artificer in Oran, Algeria, North Africa; Caserta, Italy; and Dijon, France. She earned three major battle stars for her service close to the front lines in three major battle areas of the European Theater, including Rome-Arno, North Apennines, and Rhineland. She was a Sergeant Major when she received an honorable medical discharge. Walsh remained active in the National Association of Women's Veterans, and kept extensive scrapbooks about her own service in the WAC, and of World War II in general.
A politician, Helen Gordon Davis served in the Florida Legislature from 1974-1992. Long active in civic affairs, she was a charter member of the Hillsborough League of Women Voters and the first woman from Hillsborough County elected to the Florida Legislature.
The Hemlock Society of Florida, Inc. is an independent, non-profit 501(c)(4) right-to-die organization registered within the State of Florida. This collection includes various publications from the Hemlock Society of Florida and U.S. Hemlock Society papers, also newsletters, newspaper clippings, correspondence, meeting notes, court cases and documents.
The Henry Okraski collection on modeling and simulation, 1948-2019 (bulk 1961-2007), documents the history of the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division and the history of the modeling and simulation field. The collection consists of correspondence, informational and instruction booklets, technical and progress reports, pamphlets, programs, newspaper clippings, articles, overhead projector transparencies, 35 mm projector slides, and a CD. The overhead projector transparencies cover a wide variety of simulation and modeling topics such as advancements made in the field, benefits of use, and graphics of how the simulators work. The 35 mm projector slides contain images of simulators and the machines in use. The photographs contain images of early flight simulators in use. The collection also includes materials related to Henry "Hank" Okraski's professional life and achievements, and a small number of biographical materials related to Luis De Florez, an influential figure in the modeling and simulation industry. Henry "Hank" Carl Okraski was born on January 2, 1936 in Utica, New York to Andrew and Helen Okraski. In 1958, Okraski graduated from Clarkson University with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering. He later received a master's degree in engineering from the University of Florida. After graduating from Clarkson University, Okraski joined Link Aviation in Binghampton, New York, where he worked as a field engineer. In 1962, Okraski joined the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (then known as the Naval Training Device Center) in Port Washington, New York, working as a GS-11 electrical engineer specializing in field support for naval aviation simulators. Okraski moved up in ranks, becoming the Senior Executive Service as Director of Research and Engineering, Deputy Technical Director, and Chief Scientist. During this time, he also served on multiple NATO study groups. In 1994, Okraski retired from government service. Post-retirement, he served as a chairman of the board for the National Center for Simulations, which he co-founded, from 1993 to 2003. He was also an adjunct faculty member at the University of Central Florida, where he assisted with developing simulation academic programs, and at Rollins College.
The Herman Riediger and Fort Lauderdale Beach Hotel Collection contains correspondence, photographs, newspaper clippings, advertisements, magazines, printed materials, certificates, programs, 1 cookbook written by Hermann Riediger, Pompano High School yearbooks, and objects. Materials document Hermann Riediger as the Food and Beverage Control Manager at the Lauderdale Beach Hotel and his daughter, Kathryn Riediger Heinley.
