Dallas Smythe served as a professor and/or guest lecturer at several universities from 1948 to 1988, including the University of Illinois; the University of Saskatchewan at Regina; the University of California, San Diego; Simon Fraser University; Temple University; Ohio State University; and the University of Hawaii. Smythe also participated in teach-ins on the topics of the Vietnam War, Reaganomics, and other subjects. He was also involved in research and lecturing at the Centre for International Research on Communications and Information Technology (CIRCIT) in Sydney, Australia.

Series consists of records arising from Smythe's teaching activities at various locations. Series includes course outlines, lecture notes, reference material, class readings, and other materials. The majority of the records in this series relate to courses on the political economy of communications, and other topics in the field of communications.

Dallas Smythe began his involvement in the field of agricultural economics in 1934, when he worked as an extension specialist in agriculture for the College of Agriculture at the University of California, Berkeley. In this position, he studied economic outlooks for various California farm products. In 1937, he was hired as an associate economist by the U.S. Central Statistical Board, where he oversaw the collection of statistics for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This involved the review of information collection policies and procedures, and the planning of the Census of Agriculture. Smythe left the Central Statistical Board in 1938.

Series consists of records written or co-authored by Smythe in his positions as extension specialist in agriculture for the University of California, Berkeley, and as an economist for the U.S. Central Statistical Board. Series includes research and reports regarding various farm crops in California, and reports and chart books from the federal Census of Agriculture.

Smythe served as Chief Economist for the U.S. Federal Communications Commission from 1943 to 1948. In this position, he conducted an economic analysis of the telegraph industry, investigated the issues surrounding the proposed merger of Western Union and Postal Telegraph, carried out studies in farm telephone service, and held public hearings on the post war reallocation of the radio spectrum.

Series consists of records arising from Smythe's employment at the U.S. Federal Communications Commission. Series includes publications, correspondence, and other materials.

Series consists of Smythe's personal records arising from his various activities, such as his employment as a faculty member at several universities; his studies at the University of California, Berkeley; his involvement with the United States military; his private business venture in the television industry; his ongoing research into various areas of personal interest; his travels to China and Europe; and his work on his autobiography. Series also contains personal records of Smythe's wife, Jennie, and of his father, J.W. Smyth. Series includes correspondence, contracts, annual reports, legal records, reports, notes, drafts, research papers, diaries, newsletters, published articles, and a curriculum vitae.

Series consists of Smythe's correspondence with family members and colleagues. Series includes incoming letters and copies of outgoing letters.

Dallas Smythe was hired by the U.S. Department of Labor (Wage and Hour Division) in 1938. His role in this newly-created department was to help enforce laws regarding minimum wage rates and maximum hours of allowed work. He investigated cases in which the implementation of these laws was being avoided through various means. His investigations included occupational studies of the working conditions of newspaper boys, railway porters, life-insurance salesmen, telegraph messengers, cigar factory workers, railway maintenance workers, textile workers, lumber camp workers, and others.

Series consists of records arising from investigations conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor (Wage and Hour Division). Series includes correspondence, studies, reports, reference material, written testimony, photographs, and other materials.

Series consists of records relating to publications and presentations produced by Smythe in his role as a student at the University of California, Berkeley; a professor at the University of Illinois, the University of Saskatchewan at Regina, Simon Fraser University, and other universities; and as a peace activist. Series includes publications, presentations, and correspondence.

Publications arising from Smythe's employment as an agricultural economist (at the University of California, Berkeley and at the U.S. Central Statistical Bureau), and as chief economist with the Federal Communications Commission are located in series F-16-3 (Agricultural economics) and F-16-5 (U.S. Federal Communications Commission).

During his work as a professor at various universities, Smythe engaged in research in a variety of areas in the field of communications. Smythe also organized and participated in a number of conferences on communications and other topics.

Series consists of records arising from Smythe's research activities and conference participation. Series includes correspondence, research articles, notes, and other materials.