[1] Smith credited his interest in flags to his memories of Massachusetts Patriots' Day celebrations and a gift of The Golden Encyclopedia when he was about 6 years old.
During his time at Harvard, Smith designed the flag of Guyana after corresponding with Guyanese President Cheddi Jagan via mail.
The following year, Smith established The Flag Research Center at his home and was its director.
[3] Smith worked with Klaes Sierksma to organize the First International Congress of Vexillology (Muiderberg, Netherlands) in 1965.
The league was replaced by the International Federation of Vexillological Associations (known by its French acronym FIAV) with Smith as vice-president of the Provisional Council as of September 3, 1967.
[6] Smith was also responsible for founding the North American Vexillological Association (NAVA) and the Flag Heritage Foundation.