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John Ussery Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MSS-775-BC

Scope and Content

The majority of the collection originates between 1974 and 1976. While all of the material in the collection deals with alternative technology, alternative lifestyles and economic development, some materials were collected by Ussery when he worked for the National Council for the Public Assessment of Technology (NCPAT) and others were amassed by Ussery on his own. The collection is divided into the following 9 series:

John Ussery and the National Council for the Public Assessment of Technology, contains documents related directly to John Ussery. His resume and information on his business are housed here. This series also contains documents from NCPAT.

Appropriate Technology contains examples of alternative sustainable technologies and groups that were interested in these technologies. Folders are organized into subseries based on the group, the application, or the type of technology. Subseries include: Architecture and Appropriate Building Technology; Earth Metabolic Design and World Games Workshop; Energy; Expositions and Fairs; Farming and Biosystem; Organizations; RAIN: Journal of Appropriate Technology; Solar Energy; Waste; Wind.

Technology Assessment contains materials that deal strictly with the analysis of existing technologies and their relative costs and benefits for the future and (then) present.

Environment is comprised of materials created by and concerning environmental groups.

Economics consists of essays and pamphlets dealing with period economics and economic alternatives for more socially conscientiousconscious trade.

Intermediate Technology and Developing Nations. Intermediate technology is often analogous to appropriate technology, but here it is defined as technology primarily appropriate for developing places. Included are plans for small scale appropriate technologies for use in "third-world" areas. Subseries include Habitat Forum and Urban Development.

Public Interest Groups consists of publications and other materials touching on public affairs and government work.

Future Societies contains futurist materials, or materials related to societies and groups devoted to the discussion of possible tomorrows.

Alternative Lifestyles includes such topics as entryconsumerism and vegetarianism.

Dates

  • 1964-1981
  • Majority of material found within 1974-1976

Creator

Language of Materials

English Spanish French Dutch

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Copy Restrictions

Limited duplication of CSWR material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publication or distribution.

Biographical Information

John Ussery was born on August 2nd, 1949, . He and was raised in Livingston, New Jersey. He attended Lehigh University from 1967-1971. Three years later, Ussery participated in an energy group at the World Game Study Workshop held in Philadelphia. Following that experience, Ussery continued involvement in alternative energy. He served as consultant on appropriate technology for the National Council for the Public Assessment of Technology (NCPAT), a nonprofit agency devoted to spreading information on alternative energies and lifestyles to voluntary organizations. While working for NCPAT, Ussery amassed a great deal of information on contemporary efforts to promote and use appropriate technology. His knowledge of appropriate technology soon led Ussery to Vancouver where he organized the appropriate technology exposition at the United Nations Habitat Forum. This was an event designed to showcase technological possibilities for people in developing nations. By 1976, an expert in appropriate technology, Ussery opened his own small scale, socially conscious wool factory in Northern New Mexico where he still resides.

Extent

6 boxes (6 cubic feet) + 1 oversize folder

Abstract

The John Ussery Papers consists Collection is of materials related to the development and usage of appropriate or socially conscious technology.

Arrangement

Arranged into nine series:
  1. John Ussery and the National Council for the Public Assessment of Technology
  2. Appropriate Technology (Subseries: Architecture and Appropriate Building Technology; Earth Metabolic Design and World Games Workshop; Energy; Expositions and Fairs; Farming and Biosystem; Organizations; RAIN: Journal of Appropriate Technology; Solar Energy; Waste; Wind)
  3. Technology Assessment
  4. Environment
  5. Economics
  6. Intermediate Technology and Developing Nations (Subseries: Habitat Forum; Urban Development)
  7. Public Interest Groups
  8. Future Societies
  9. Alternative Lifestyles

Related Archival Material

New Mexico Solar Energy Association Records Center for Southwest Research, University of New Mexico Libraries

Separated Material

See list of published materials transferred to the University Libraries catalogued collection.

The following material have been transferred to the University Libraries catalogued collection

  • Compost Science, Rodale Press, 1975-1978
  • Food Information Systems Summary and Analysis, Office of Technology Assessment, August 1976
  • High Country News, Lander, Wyoming, 1976
  • Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc., Transactions on Professional Communication, IEEE Professional Communication Group, December 1975
  • New Mexico Solar Energy Association Bulletin, 1976-1978
  • Organic Gardening and Farming,Rodale Press, 1976
  • Record of the Tenth Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conference, August 18-22, 1975,Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc., 1975
  • Solar Age, Solar Vision Inc., 1976-1978
  • Sunworld, Pergamon Press, International Solar Energy Society, 1978
  • Wind Energy Utilization Bibliography, Technology Application Center, University of New Mexico, 1975
  • The Workbook, Southwest Research and Information Center, 1974-1982

Processing Information

Collection processed December 1, 2006.

Creator

Title
Finding Aid of the John Ussery Papers, 1964-1981
Status
Edited Full Draft
Author
Jason Strykowski
Date
©2007
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is in English
Sponsor
Funding provided by The Center for Regional Studies

Revision Statements

  • Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.

Repository Details

Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository

Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451