Administrative Information
Acquisition Information
The papers of Edward N. Lorenz were given to the Library of Congress by his children, Cheryl A. Lorenz, Nancy J. Lorenz, and Edward H. Lorenz, in 2008, Kerry A. Emanuel in 2009, and Robert C. Hilborn in 2014.
Processing History
The paper portion of the collection was arranged and described in 2012 by Joseph K. Brooks with the assistance of Brian McGuire and Jewel McPherson. Digital files and a small paper addition were arranged and described in 2018 by Kathleen O'Neill. The description of digital files in the finding aid was updated in 2020 by Kathleen O'Neill
Digital files were received as part of the Edward N. Lorenz papers on a variety of storage media, each of which was assigned a unique digital ID number. Use the digital ID number to request access copies of the files associated with each media. A description of the standard processes taken on all born digital files can be found in the Processing History Note: Born Digital Collection Material at https://hdl.loc.gov/loc.mss/eadmss.digital.
Additional processes on the Delta Dimension XPS R450 computer include creating a disk image, extracting files from the image, and removing empty files, temporary files, and extraneous program files.
Files were scanned for viruses before being saved to long-term storage. Positive virus results occurred during a scan of Lorenz's computer files (digital ID mss85426_047_001). Five files were quarantined and removed.
Transfers
Items have been transferred from the Manuscript Division to other custodial divisions of the Library. Some photographic slides and posters have been transferred to the Prints and Photographs Division. Audio cassettes, VCR tapes, and a phonograph record have been transferred to the Motion Picture, Broadcasting, and Recorded Sound Division. All transfers are identified in these divisions as part of the Edward N. Lorenz Papers. Patrons are encouraged to contact these divisions in advance of a research visit.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Digital content in the Lorenz papers was created primarily in a Windows 98 operating system. The bulk of the files are image, web page, and text files accessible with file viewers and sound files accessible with open source audio players. Math Reader 5.0 or Wolfram CDF Player can be used to access and run Mathematica graphs embedded in the paper by Robert J. Lurie (digital ID mss85426_059_005). DOSBox was used to access and run most of the chaos theory data visualization software. The software from digital ID mss85426_059_003 and digital ID mss85426_060_002 was opened in DOSBox, however, the software did not respond to inputs. The web page with animation (digital ID mss85426_059_001) mostly likely needs Java version J2SE 5.0 and Netscape 3.0 to render properly. An 8" floppy disk and a 1" computer tape, labeled "Passed NCAR Test Limits," are currently unprocessed due to lack of required hardware and not available for research. Email, though currently unprocessed and unavailable, can be accessed in Outlook or viewed with a file viewer tool.
Microfilm
Microfilm on one reel was received as part of the papers of Edward N. Lorenz and is listed and described in this finding aid. This microfilm is not available for interlibrary loan.
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Container, reel number, or digital ID number, Edward N. Lorenz Papers, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D. C.