In August 1975 an engineer employed by American Telephone and Telegraph Company (now known simply as AT&T) went on a business trip to Lebanon and Iran.  In those days, the rank and file of your average crowd did not contain so many intrepid travelers.  He felt it his duty to bring the world and his adventures to people at home.  He took hundreds of photos.  Hundreds!  Then he created slides shows, complete with background music and narration.  He would present his travels at libraries and to unsuspecting residents at nursing homes.  He traveled for business and pleasure, then created presentations on China, Israel, Greece, Iran, Lebanon, France, Portugal, England and various locations throughout the United States.  The story is told that when his son invited his girlfriend to meet the family, she was quickly hustled downstairs to sit through hours of his slideshows.  If she could graciously endure it, she passed the test.

I am proud to say that man was my grandfather.  I have those slides and over the last few months have been digitizing them for posterity.  I hear my grandfather’s voice as I digitize his taped soundtracks.  I see him smiling, standing in front of some great monument, years younger than I remember him.  I haven’t organized my own digital photos from the last few years of traveling (with and without kids).  Who knows where they’ll be in 40 years!  But this man’s meticulous organizing, cataloging and labeling has left my family a treasure – the world through his eyes.  Today I share some of those never-before-seen-on-screen photos.