MSS 28
Torr, Donald V., 1926-
Papers of Donald V. Torr, 1971-1984

 

Gallaudet University Archives


Descriptive Summary

Repository: Gallaudet University Archives
Call No.: MSS 28
Creator:
Title: Papers of Donald V. Torr, 1971-1984.
Quantity: 1.0 Linear Feet (2 document boxes)
Abstract:
Note: This document last updated 2006 January 10. 

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information:
Processed by: Nora L. McCabe. 1995 March 3.
Processing Note:
Conditions on Use and Access: This collection is open to the public with no restrictions. Photocopies may be made for scholarly research.

Related Material in the Archives:

Photographs

  • Donald V. Torr [picture]. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Portraits

Vertical Files

  • Donald V. Torr. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Deaf Biographical

Biographical Sketch

Donald V. Torr was born on June 14, 1926 in Clinton, Iowa. He received his B.A. in 1948, his M.A. in 1949, and his Ph.D. in 1952, all from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. Starting in 1950, Torr was employed with the government, working on test development/validation projects with the Personnel Research Laboratory of the Air Force Personnel and Training Research Center. In 1959, he became the manager of systems applications at General Electric in upstate New York, leaving in 1967. Torr then joined the faculty at Gallaudet University as assistant vice president of the Office of Educational Technology and professor of education. He retired in 1991 after 21 years of service.

He and his wife, Nancy, have two daughters, Leslie Winkleman and Sally McAleer.

Scope and Content

The Donald V. Torr Papers cover the issue of closed captioning between 1971 and 1984. Torr was the assistant vice president of the Office of Educational Technology, known as College Educational Resources at the time.

The collection is comprised mainly of correspondence and material related to lobbying for closed captioned television. There are several reports to various committees within the government, most notably the Federal Communications Commission. Photographs are included. Of particular interest is the British closed captioning system of the late 1970s, which appears to have served as a model for the American system.

Series Descriptions and Folder Lists
No Series

 
Box Folder Title of Folder Date
1 1 Booklet ‑ College Educational Resources n.d.
1 2 Captioning Evaluation Forms 1971
1 3 Captioning ‑ Line 21 1975‑1977
1 4 Press Releases 1976‑1979
1 5 Captioning Project Evaluation Final Report 1974
1 6 CBS Closed Captioning 1979‑1980
1 7 CBS Demonstration 1980
1 8 CBS Teletext (petitions, etc.) 1980‑1982
1 9 CBS Teletext Field Tests Phases I, II, III 1979
2 1 CEEFAX Service (BBC Captioning) 1976‑1979
2 2 Copyright ‑ Manual of Experimental Signs for Conversational English 1973
2 3 Correspondence ‑ Merrill, Edward C. 1981
2 4 Correspondence ‑ Miscellaneous 1975
2 5 FCC (Captioning) 1975‑1976
2 6 Gallaudet College Self‑Evaluation Report 1976
2 7 Gallaudet College Self‑Evaluation Report 1977
2 8 Gallaudet College Self‑Evaluation Report 1980
2 9 Miscellaneous 1979
2 10 Paper ‑ "Captioning Methodologies for Enhanced Reading Level & Vocabulary Development", by Pamela R. Getson 1979
2 11 PBS ‑ Closed Captioning 1977‑1979
2 12 Research Report ‑ "Closed Caption Decoder Ownership and Program References Among Two Groups of Hearing Impaired People" 1981
2 13 Strategic Plan, Part III: Component Report Reaction Guidelines 1984
2 14 Television Questionnaire 1978