Conversations from the Pointed Firs: historian Earl H. Smith

April 24, 2022

In this episode, historian Earl H. Smith discusses Maine’s rich invention and maker culture.

The Maine Monitor is proud to partner with the World Ocean Observatory to bring the Conversations from the Pointed Firs podcast to our audience.

Editor’s Note: The Maine Monitor is partnering with Peter Neill of the World Ocean Observatory to bring you this hour-long interview podcast.

Conversations from the Pointed Firs is a monthly, interview-style podcast during which Peter talks with authors and artists who live in Maine, work in Maine, or otherwise derive their creativity from the essence of Maine.

The guest for this month’s Conversations from the Pointed Firs is Earl H. Smith: a 40-year veteran of Colby College and an author of seven books.

A native of Waterville, Smith graduated from the University of Maine at Orono with a degree in journalism in 1962 when he began a 40 year career at Colby where he served in numerous administrative capacities including Dean of Students, Dean of the College, Secretary of the Corporation and as assistant to three Colby presidents.

He retired in 2002 and continues to serve as the college historian. Smith has written numerous articles for newspapers and magazines, and is the author of seven books, mostly recently being “Downeast Genius: From Earmuffs to Motor Cars, Maine Inventors who Changed the World.”

Peter Neill

Peter Neill is founder and director of the World Ocean Observatory, a web-based place of exchange for information and educational services about the health of the ocean. Throughout his career, Peter has served as an advocate and independent consultant for strategic planning and innovation to organizations devoted to marine affairs, education, and public engagement. He is host of the long-running World Ocean Radio weekly audio feature, celebrating 12 years and 600 episodes in 2021; and Conversations from the Pointed Firs, a one-hour radio show on WERU-FM, wherein he interviews artists and authors who live in Maine, work in Maine, or otherwise derive their creativity from the essence of Maine.