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Thomas Perkins speaks about his early life and the life of his father, Judge William Perkins, who worked closely with James B. Duke as part of the American Tobacco Company. He also covers the history of the Duke Endowment and his role as Trustee and some information about Doris Duke's legal affairs.

R.P. Perry talks about his early life and education, leading up to his eventual role as President of Johnson C. Smith University, an historically Black university. He provides the history of Johnson C. Smith University, including information on the link to the Biddle family in Philadelphia.

Richard Phaehler speaks about his early life in Germany, his move to the United States, and his work at the General Electric Company. Eventually, he would work for J.B. Duke at the Southern Power Company. Part of his oral history is information about J.B. Duke's personal habits. Recording is poor quality.

J.L. Plyler speaks about his early life in South Carolina and his eventual role as President of Furman University. Contains racist terms.

Grady Rankin speaks about his early life and education, and his role in mills in Gaston County, NC. He eventually joined the Duke Power Company as a director, and provides details about his mills and the eventual link of cotton mills with water power. He also speaks briefly on his own political career in the 1930s.

Watson Rankin speaks about the Duke Endowment and his role in public health. He served as the first director of the Hospital and Orphan sections of the Duke Endowment from 1924-1950. He provides details about his early life and his education, eventually speaking about becoming a doctor.

Frank Rounds provides a recording of a lecture by Charles Reed in part 1. The lecture covers his studies of economics and population trends of the Piedmont Carolinas. Part 2 is a traditional oral history with Charles Reed, as he describes his early life, education, and role at the Duke Power Company. Part 3 is another recorded lecture by Reed, covering population and economics.