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Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Simi Valley, CA.
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Simi Valley, CA.
Glass Fiber Cable Ornament
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Simi Valley, CA.
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Simi Valley, CA.

Glass Fiber Cable Ornament

Artifact ID1982.02943.01
Object Type Ornament, Christmas Tree
Gifter
Maker (American glass manufactory, active from 19th century)
Date 1982
Medium Glass, Metal
Dimensions4 in. (10.2 cm)
Physical DescriptionThis is a round clear glass ornament threaded with glass fiber cable in a crossed pattern. At the top center is the logo for the Telecommunications Year 1983, a design of interlocking hearts. There is a small silver-colored metal ring at the top for hanging.
Historical NoteThe ornament was presented by Rep. Amo Houghton in the East Room of the White House on December 16, 1982, after the Signing Ceremony for Proclamation 5006 declaring 1983 as World Communications Year: Development of Communications Infrastructures. Houghton was then the Chairman and CEO of Corning Glass Works and the Co-Chair of the Department of Commerce Task Force. At the ceremony, Houghton said, "And you may ask why I take your time to give you a Christmas tree ornament? -- and the reason being is that it symbolizes a very important part of land-based communications, and that's part of the industry that I'm with. And it has the glass fiber as the core of it, and the glass fiber is able to do things which nothing has been able to do before. If you look out this window, sir, and you wanted to transmit light through the glass, you could only go 3 feet without dissipating 90 percent of it. The ornament represents fiber which will produce a light source which will go 20 miles. And in terms of productivity, you might be interested in knowing that if you take a pair of twisted metal wires, which provide the light and the various energy sources around here, one strand of this glass wire has a 10,000-to-1 productivity increase. And this is not bad -- and it's done by private enterprise, and it's done right here in the United States. So, on behalf of Mr. Ellinghaus, who represents probably the greatest laboratory in our history, my fellow associates in the Council, and my fellow glassblowers in Corning, I give these to you, sir." President Reagan responded, "I shall take this up, and it'll be on our personal tree upstairs."
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteThe item was a gift from a member of the general public to President Ronald Reagan during the Reagan administration. It was received through the Executive Office of the President Office of Correspondence and maintained there until its transfer to the National Archives in January, 1989 for deposit with the Reagan Presidential Library.
National Archives Catalog CollectionRecords of the White House Gift Unit (Reagan Administration) (National Archives Identifier 6816362) and
National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts from the General Public (National Archives Identifier 6816363)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - Possibly
Use Restriction NoteCopyright or other proprietary rights may be held by individuals or entities other than the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum does not warrant that the use of materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62.
In Collection(s)
Related LinksVideo: President Ronald Reagan's Remarks on Signing the World Communications Year Proclamation in the East Room December 16, 1982

Photograph: Signing Ceremony for Proclamation 5006 World Communications Year in the East Room 12/16/1982   c11968-01  c11969-01   c11975-01  c11979-01  c11980-01

Speech: Remarks on Signing the World Communications Year Proclamation December 16, 1982

Document: Proclamation 5006 -- World Communications Year 1983: Development of Communications Infrastructures December 16, 1982