Arnold E. Schaefer Oral History

Interviewee

Arnold E. Schaefer

Interviewer

Paul G. Anderson, PhD

Files

Summary

Arnold E. Schaefer was interviewed by Paul G. Anderson on November 7, 1980 for approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes.

Scope and Content

Schaefer discusses his work with the Interdepartmental Committee on Nutrition for National Defense (ICNND) in the 1950s and 1960s, and the organization's work in coordinating projects and studies in nutrition and assisting developing countries to address nutrition problems of both civilian populations and military personnel. He talks about his service as a nutrition officer during World War II, the beginnings of United States government interest in the nutrition of foreign nations, the nutrition office in the U.S. Army Office of the Surgeon General, and the formation of the ICNND following the Korean War. Several of Schaefer's colleagues are discussed, including Frank B. Berry, Harold R. Sandstead, and John B. Youmans. Schaefer describes the cooperation between the ICNND and the U.S. Navy medical research units, how ICNND surveys yielded valuable clinical research data, and how the ICNND projects established laboratories and trained personnel in developing countries. Schaefer also discusses other international projects on nutrition, the Food for Peace (PL-480) program, domestic U.S. nutrition surveys, and rivalries between various U.S. government agencies (such as the United States Agency for International Development - USAID) concerned with nutrition.

Biographical Information: Interviewee

Arnold E. Schaefer (1917-1992) received his PhD from the University of Wisconsin in 1947. He served as executive director of the Interdepartmental Committee on Nutrition for National Defense from 1955-1964, as well as executive director for various U.S. agencies, including the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control. He also served as executive director of the Swanson Center for Nutrition in Omaha, Nebraska. Schaefer’s work included coordinating nutrition surveys in over 30 foreign counties and the first large-scale nutritional survey of the United States in 1968-1970.

Biographical Information: Interviewer

Paul G. Anderson, PhD served as an archivist at the Washington University School of Medicine library from 1982-2008. He earned a PhD (American History) from Wayne State University in 1977.

Interview Date

1980-11-07

Collection Identifier

OH048

Length

Approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes.

Restrictions

Users wishing to publish (in whole, or in part) content taken from the audio or transcript of this oral history interview must request, sign, and return a Statement of Use form to the Becker Archives. For detailed information regarding publication and use of this oral history, contact the Becker Archives (arb@wusm.wustl.edu).

Recommended Citation

Arnold E. Schaefer Oral History, OH048, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.

Notes

This oral history contains occasional obscenities and offensive language.

Disclaimer

The Becker Archives provides access to this oral history interview as a record of the past. This interview reflects the attitudes, perspectives, and beliefs of the interview participants, which may reflect outdated, biased, and offensive views and opinions. The Becker Archives does not endorse the views expressed in this interview, which may contain materials offensive to some users.