First-Ever Oral History of U.S. Digital Service Explores Its Genesis, Early Impact
Nearly 50 interviews provide rare look into the people and team that reimagined the relationship between American government and technology
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 06, 2025 — Today, two founding members of the United States Digital Service (USDS) are launching “U.S. Digital Service Origins” — an ambitious oral history project detailing the organization’s formation and earliest days. The project provides an unprecedented look at the people who reimagined the intersection of government and technology during the second Obama administration.
“U.S. Digital Service Origins” is composed of nearly 50 interviews with pivotal individuals, from the organization’s chief architects and very first hires to the civic tech pioneers who provided essential inspiration and momentum. Over 10 years and across three presidential administrations, USDS evolved into a trusted partner to over 30 federal agencies, helping deliver superior public services and build digital capabilities for the future. USDS impacted the lives of millions of Americans, from combat veterans to the country’s newest citizens and beyond.
The project spans January 2009 – January 2015, exploring the seeds, the crisis, the launch of the US Digital Service on August 11, 2014, and the initial months of its operation. It starts with the roots of the idea in the civic tech movement, and moves through the genesis of the idea, the dual crisis of a historic government shutdown combined with the initial failure and rescue of healthcare.gov, the launch of the U.S. Digital Service, and the critical months following that set the foundation for the next 10 years. The project also launches at a pivotal time: In January 2025, USDS was reorganized and rebranded as the ‘United States DOGE Service,’ propelling the relationship between government and technology back into the public conversation.
In addition to interviews, “U.S. Digital Service Origins” features a high-level timeline of events spanning 2009 – 2015, thematic analysis, and biographies and interviews of key players. The project is curated by Kathy Pham and Emily Tavoulareas, founding members of USDS with a combined 8.5 years of service.
Says Kathy Pham: “The origins of the United States Digital Service have never been fully told. This project reveals the complexities and vital lessons embedded in that origin story — and pays tribute to those who helped bring over 700 technologists into government across multiple presidential administrations.”
Says Emily Tavoulareas: “Our understanding of the past shapes how we engage with the present and our vision for the future. We hope that this oral history serves as a resource to those who are interested in understanding the role of technology in government… scholars, practitioners, policy wonks. Digital technology is the spinal cord of government, and if we want to improve how government works, we must understand how technology underpins both our institutions and our democracy itself — and how to improve it.”
“U.S. Digital Service Origins” is now live at https://usdigitalserviceorigins.org. Visitors can explore the oral history collection and sign up to be notified when new content is added.
For more information or to schedule an interview with a project representative, please contact hello@usdigitalserviceorigins.org.