Name/Title
Oral History of Martin E. PackardEntry/Object ID
2013.031.001Scope and Content
Packard attended Oregon State College (now Oregon State University). He then attended Stanford University’s graduate school to study physics. He moved to Los Altos with his family in search of a better quality school district. Packard worked on the Manhattan Project during the second World War. Later, he and his wife hosted “Berner Fests” at their house, which provided dog training for Bernese Mountain Dogs. He and Barbara invited guests from all over the world to stay in Los Altos Hills and obtain higher education.
Martin Packard was heavily involved in the science industry in which he helped transfer NMR technology from academics to the market. Packard’s career at Varian led the company to branch out globally, leading to exposure to various cultures. Japanese, Nepalese, and Spanish, influenced the architecture of his Los Altos Hills home, which features a blend of architectural styles based on such cultures. His wife Barbara was not only his companion throughout his busy career, as together they shared an excitement for cultures and the world, which led to the construction of their whimsical house.Collection
Oral History CollectionOral History Details
Interviewee
Martin E. PackardInterviewer
Ginger SummitInterview Date
2013