Skip to Main Content
Accessibility Information

Pursuing Primary Sources

A guide to historical and data research.

Primary Source Examples: NASA


Richard Nafzger wears a grey shirt and a nuetral expression. He holds a memorex apollo data tape in his right hand, supported by his left.

"Richard (Dick) Nafzger with Apollo data tape" This link opens in a new window by NASA Goddard Photo and Video This link opens in a new window is licensed under CC BY 2.0 This link opens in a new window

The photo above of Nafzger holding the memorex spool is a primary source. It is original evidence of the moment pictured. The memorex spool is also a primary source. It held a recording of the Apollo television broadcast. NASA erased the original recordings of the moon landing to reuse them for other projects (Fox, 2009). While this memorex spool is historically significant, it no longer holds the broadcast recording.

The interview transcript linked above is also a primary source. This interview occurred in person. We want to be aware of how different source formats affect our understanding. We might gain a slightly different understanding from a video or audio recording of this interview. The transcript is still original evidence, but it has been translated and edited. It is important to note when primary sources have been mediated or modified.