Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

Copyright restrictions may apply. See the WATCH File for R. Buckminster Fuller at https://norman.hrc.utexas.edu/watch/contact_list.cfm?ArtistID=731 . See also the Estate of R. Buckminster Fuller's website at https://buckminsterfuller.net/ for more information. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction .

Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication . Please contact Special Collections and University Archives ( specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], R. Buckminster Fuller Collection, Ms1975-007, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The R. Buckminster Fuller Collection was purchased for the architectural collection of the library around 1975.

Processing Information

An inventory of the R. Buckminster Fuller Collection was created in 1976. The processing, rearrangement and description of the collection was completed in August 2006.

Biographical Note

R. Buckminster Fuller was born in Milton, Massachusetts on July 12, 1895. He attended Harvard University from 1913-15, but never finished his degree. He attended the U.S. Naval Academy in 1917 and served as an officer in the U.S. Navy during World War I. In 1954, Fuller patented the geodesic dome, the structure he is most famous for as an architect. The U.S. Pavilion, a geodesic dome designed by Fuller, was a main feature of the Canadian Universal and International Exhibition in 1967. Fuller was also the inventor of a "dymaxion" car as well as a "dymaxion" world map, a map which limited the distortions that are common with most world maps. Fuller was not just an inventor and architect, but also a philosopher and poet. He published many books and articles throughout his life, both fiction and non-fiction. Fuller's contributions as a poet, philosopher, architect and inventor have made him the subject of numerous books and articles, as well as earning him many honorary degrees and awards.

Scope and Content

The R. Buckminster Fuller Collection consists of correspondence written by Fuller himself as well as letters written to him from various sources. Correspondence consists of unsigned copies of letters to and from Fuller; most pertain to the operation of his business, Geodesics, Inc. In addition, there are numerous reprints of newspaper, magazine, and scholarly journal articles written about Fuller's architecture and achievements. Also included are many examples of Fuller's own writing, including a reprint of a portion of his book, Nine Chains to the Moon .

Arrangement

The R. Buckminster Fuller Collection is divided into three series by material type and arranged chronologically within each series.

Series I: Letters to and from R. Buckminster Fuller, 1953-1962, contains correspondence of Fuller and others pertaining to various subjects, such as the running of his business Geodesics, Inc.

Series II: Writings of R. Buckminster Fuller, 1952-1976, contains poems, articles, and stories written by Fuller throughout his life.

Series III: Writings about R. Buckminster Fuller, 1949-1978, contains articles and other materials written about the life and works of Fuller.

Related Material

See the Don Fusaro Collection on R. Buckminster Fuller, Ms2023-117, also at Virignia Tech Special Collections and University Archives.

Stanford University's Department of Special Collections has the R. Buckminster Fuller Papers, M1090, as well as an online exhibit of selections from the collection.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Architects
• Fuller, R. Buckminster (Richard Buckminster), 1895-1983
• Geodesics, Inc.

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the R. Buckminster Fuller Collection by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).