Session 1: Ernest Ambler discusses his career at the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) during the years 1953-1968. He recalls his work in the Low Temperature Physics Lab under Ferdinand Brickwedde, his parity work with Chien-Shung Wu, the Commerce Gold Metal in 1957, the Fleming Award in 1961, and his move to the Inorganic Materials Division of NBS and into administration. He concludes with the publication in 1976 of his book "Looking Back : a 75 Year Preview of Things to Come" on the occasion of the 75th Anniversary of NBS and he also talks about the Nobel prizes that have been awarded because of the supporting work and experimentation of the Bureau.

Session 2: Ambler discusses his years as Director of Institute of Basic Standards (IBS), covering the years 1968-1975. He recounts his four major accomplishments during this time: the commencement of the coordinated programs in radiometry and neutron standards, environmental radioactivity projects, flow metering, and radiation safety. He recalls his trip to the Soviet Union, the discovery of the Josephson Effect, his appointment as Deputy Director of NBS in 1973 and his appointment as Director by Elliot Richardson.

Session 3: Ambler discusses his career at NBS during the years 1975-1988. He recalls his nomination by Elliott Richardson and confirmation by Adlai Stevenson. Ambler considers his two major accomplishments to be the creation of the Engineering Laboratory at NBS, and the reorganization of NBS in Boulder, Colorado. He discusses his role as a United States representative to CIPM (Comit ̌International des Poids et Mesures, or International Committee for Weights and Measures). Through his association with the CIPM, the Bureau accomplished many things, including the redefinition of the meter, the candella and the electrical unit. The Malcolm Baldrige Award was initiated under his Directorship through the efforts of Curt Reimann.