1968?��������� Bob Leighton begins development of telescope dishes

1970? �������� Al Moffet, radio astronomer, joins Caltech to develop OVRO

1974            Tom Phillips becomes acquainted with Leighton and problems in
            submillimeter astronomy

1975 ���� ��� Bob Leighton starts building the prototype telescopes for Owens           Valley

1978����������� Funding from NSF for OVRO interferometer

1979����������� Tom Phillips joins Caltech faculty

1983�� �������� OVRO completed, Tom Phillips starts on CSO

1985����������� Dome completed and prepared for shipment to Hawaii

1986����������� CSO construction essentially completed.

������������������ Dedication on 11/11/86

1987����������Finishing work on dome skin completed, routine operation began.

1996������ Georgina and William Gimbel Building base facility dedicated Feb. 23, 1996.

2003������� Active optics system went into operation.� Improvements continued into 2004.