The Alan Shapley Oral History, dated 1997 and 2001, contains audio recordings and transcripts of the interview between Shapley and Brian Shoemaker of the American Polar Society conducted on January 31, 1997, as well as correspondence from 2001. Major topics discussed include Shapley's involvement in the planning and execution of the International Geophysical Year of 1957-1958, his research trips to the various polar regions around the globe, his career as a geophysicist, and how his work led to the development of the World Data Centers to allow for the sharing of scientific data between countries on topics relating to the Earth.

The Carl Benson Oral History, dated 2001, contains audio recordings, notes, and transcripts of the interview between Dr. Benson and Karen Brewster of the American Polar Society conducted on June 22, 2001. This interview was a part of a series of polar oral histories sponsored by the American Polar Society and Ohio State University's Byrd Polar Research Center Archival Program, with funding from the National Science Foundation. Major topics discussed include Benson's career specializing in polar and glacial research, his scientific trips to polar regions, memories of working at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute, and transportation vehicles such as Weasels and Sno-Cats used in the polar regions.

The James Van Allen Oral History, dated 1983, 1997-2001, contains audio recordings, administrative information, and transcripts of the interview between Dr. Van Allen and Brian Shoemaker of the American Polar Society conducted on November 18, 1997. Major topics discussed include Van Allen's career in polar regions and inter-planetary astrophysics, the planning and implementation of the International Geophysical Year (IGY), development of rockoons, and how his work led to the discovery of Earth's radiation belt, later named the Van Allen Belt.