Jerry Goldman, Project director
M. Claire Dougherty, Information architect
Stu Baker, Systems architect
T. H., Database Web programmer

HPOL is a searchable multimedia database documenting and delivering authoritative audio relevant to American history and politics. This project is supported by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities Teaching With Technology Program in collaboration with Michigan State University and the National Gallery of the Spoken Word. Other website support from Northwestern University Library, School of Communication, Office of the Provost, Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, and the Department of Political Science.

FAQ:

What does HPOL stand for?

HPOL is the acronym for History and Politics Out Loud. Is was coined by Joe Germuska, who had a major role in the early incubation of this project.

What is in HPOL?

HPOL is a collection of invaluable audio materials  some available for the first time on this website  capturing significant political and historical events and personalities of the twentieth century. The materials range from formal addresses delivered in public settings to private telephone conversations conducted from the innermost recesses of the White House.  Our aim is to provide an accessible source of audio information to enliven instruction and scholarship in history and politics and to enable easy access for all persons to the rich audio archives of American history and politics.

How do I download these audio files?

The files do not download. Rather they stream to your desktop and then disappear. This technique assures quick access to the audio files and saves disk space since the files are not resident on your computer.

What do I need to listen to the audio files?

You will need either the Real Player, available free from Real Networks or the QuickTime Player available free Apple Computer. Download these players and follow the installation instructions for your computer platform and Internet connection. Return to the HPOL website and click on the appropriate RealPlayer or QuickTime icon.

Where do I find an audio file if it is not on HPOL?

Let us know what you are looking for and why you think it would be valuable to share with others. We only post audio files that are in the public domain. If we can find your audio file, we will post it. If you have audio on analog formats (e.g., vinyl, reel-to-reel, audiocassette) that you would like us to post from the HPOL site, please contact us.

May I copy and redistribute the HPOL materials?

No. Since we have engineered the audio materials for web delivery  including attempts to improve audibility  the materials are protect by our copyright and you do not have permission to make any copies of these materials by recording them from the web for distribution in any format.

May I link to the HPOL site?

Yes. You may link directly to the History and Politics Out Loud home page: HPOL Home.
You may copy and use this banner image and use it to link to the HPOL site:
To copy banner, right-mouse click on it (or click and hold for single-button mouse users) to see a browser pop-up menu. Select the option to save image locally (wording will vary depending on browser) and save it to your hard disk. The banner image must be displayed as-is: it may not be altered, shrunk, or edited in any way.

How should I cite HPOL resources?

Please see the Modern Language Association's style guides for citing internet resources. A sample citation for HPOL materials:

Roosevelt, Franklin. Fireside Chat on Reorganization of the Judiciary. 9 March 1937.
History and Politics Out Loud. Ed. Jerry Goldman. 30 Sept. 1999.
Northwestern University.

Some of the private presidential conversations are difficult to understand. Can't you improve the audibility of these materials?

There is substantial variability in the quality of White House conversation tapes. This has to do with the nature of the recording equipment, the media used to record the conversations, and the care with which the equipment was maintained and serviced. As a result, the audio varies widely in quality. Some of the materials were based on Dictabelt technology, which frequently generated very poor results. Others are extraordinarily clear in quality. We do the best we can to improve the audibility of these materials without distorting the voices of the participants or fundamentally departing from the original materials.