1909-1974
2 cubic feet and 12 reels of microfilm
Department of Physics Records (RG 37)
1909-1974
2 cubic feet and 12 reels of microfilm
Scope and Content Note
Given differences in the series designations and date ranges between
the paper and microfilm records in this group, the microfilm reels
are described separately below and in the inventory.
There are two series in the microfilm records: series I, General Correspondence (1909-1969) and series II, College Radio Development and Administration (1925-1936). General correspondence consists of Reports to the President's Office and letters and memoranda pertaining to research projects, equipment, professional organizations, general administrative operations, and the Photo Services Unit. This series is arranged chronologically by academic year and alphabetically within the year. Series II consists of materials pertaining to KOAC radio licenses and applications, equipment, budget, and radio talks by department members.
The paper records are organized into five series. Series I consists largely of correspondence covering the years 1969 to 1974, picking up where the microfilm records end and pertains to department faculty, research equipment and facilities, and administrative matters with other OSU departments and colleges. Series II contains correspondence, memoranda, and blank forms covering the years 1957 to 1973 and pertains to procedural guidelines for curriculum development and instruction. Series III consists of proposals for scientific research, renewal requests for approved research projects, and final reports dating from 1966 to 1974. Series IV consists of minutes from Physics Dept. staff and graduate student meetings. Series V primarily consists of flyers for seminar presentations and lectures by professors and researchers from OSU and other universities.
Historical Note
The Department of Physics was established in 1908 with Dr. Willibald
Weniger hired as Assistant Professor to teach the four courses
offered in physics. Prior to 1908, courses on physics were offered
by several different academic departments including the Department
of Chemistry, Physics, Geology, and Minerology, and the Department
of Physics, History, and Latin. Initially housed in Apperson Hall,
the department relocated to the newly constructed Covell Hall
in 1928 and moved again in 1962 to the Physics-Chemistry Building
(now Weniger Hall). Expanding the number and range of classes
after 1908 to eventually form the core of an undergraduate degree
program, the department began to offer graduate-level courses
in physics in 1926.
Shelf Location
7/3/6/50-60; microfilm cabinet
Related Materials
The Physics Department Photographs (P 78) consist primarily of
images of the construction of Weniger Hall. The Archives holdings
also include the personal papers of two Physics Department faculty
members: the David
P. Nicodemus Papers and the Willibald
Weniger Papers (MSS) and Photographic Collection (P
81). The
KOAC Records (RG 15) include more extensive materials pertaining
to the establishment and functioning of KOAC radio. The
College of Science Records (RG 24) contain reports and other
materials pertaining to the Physics Department.
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