Correspondence 1944-1945, 15 February 1944 - 24 September 1945

The Otto E. Guthe Papers consist of correspondence and articles relating chiefly to the field of geography, with some family and personal materials included. Guthe belonged to many societies and associations, most of which were related to geography, including the association of American Geographers, the National Research Council, the Cosmos Club, the American Geographical Society, etc. His professional status and his ability as a geographer led him to associate with people at the top of his profession.

The majority of material in this collection consists of correspondence in regard to his family, his friends, his profession, and the many societies and organizations to which he belonged. There are also numerous papers, addresses, reports, and articles relating to geography and, to a very small extent, intelligence. Some of the most interesting material in the collection is that relating to remote sensing and the use of satellite photography in geographic research. This includes a military memorandum recommending the reclassification of the security level on remote sensing to permit its use in civilian research in order to further realize its full potential both to geography in general and to the government in particular. Remote sensing was reclassified and opened whole new doors for geographers in their knowledge and ability to perform accurate and relevant research. Many of the articles and reports which are in this collection reflect that new era for geography.