George H. Atherton Papers, 1937-1979

Collection Overview

Title: George H. Atherton Papers, 1937-1979

Predominant Dates: 1970-1979

ID: MSS Atherton

Primary Creator: Atherton, George H. (George Harry) (1920-1987)

Extent: 1.8 cubic feet. More info below.

Arrangement: The George H. Atherton Papers are arranged in 2 series: I. Student Reports, 1970-1979 and II. Reference Materials, 1937-1976.

Languages of Materials: English [eng]

Abstract

The George H. Atherton Papers consist of materials created or assembled by Atherton in his work as a forest products researcher and teacher. Atherton was a research engineer with the Oregon Forest Products Laboratory from 1950 to 1961, when he became a Forest Products professor at Oregon State University.

Scope and Content Notes

The George H. Atherton Papers consist of materials created or assembled by Atherton in his work as a forest products researcher and teacher. These include student projects and reference files.

The student projects are papers written by students in Atherton's mechanical properties course (Forest Products 422) during the 1970s. A subject index and list of the papers is included with the collection. The papers represent substantive research projects and address the mechanical properties of solid wood, veneer, wood composites, laminates, and other wood products; interactions and effects between wood products and various fasteners, such as nails, staples, and screws; paper manufacture, include the effect of recycle pulp; and the effects of moisture, drying temperature, and chemical treatments on the mechanical properties of wood products.

The reference files pertain to Atherton's research on heat transfer and timber mechanics and include reports, reprints, and publications; correspondence; research data; testing equipment manuals; and related documentation.

Biographical / Historical Notes

George H. Atherton was a faculty member in Forest Products at Oregon State University from 1961 until his retirement in 1982; he was honored by the forestry students as an outstanding teacher with the Aufderheide Award. Atherton earned his BS (1950) and MS (1966) degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Oregon State. From 1950 until 1961, Atherton was a research engineer with the Oregon Forest Products Laboratory; he was in charge of milling and engineering for the laboratory in 1954-1961. His research specialties included heat transfer and timber mechanics.

As a Professor of Forest Products he taught upper-level courses, including Forest Products 321 and 422 on the mechanical properties of wood and wood products; supervised graduate students; participated in various short courses and seminars concerning veneer and lumber drying, as well as timber construction; and conducted research projects.

Administrative Information

More Extent Information: 16 photos; 2 boxes

Statement on Access: Collection is open for research.

Acquisition Note: The papers were transferred by the Forest Products Department to the Archives in 1999.

Related Materials: A biographical file for Atherton is available in the College of Forestry Records (RG 139). The Forest Products Department Records (RG 003) include extensive documentation of forest products research and teaching at Oregon State. The Special Collections and Archives Resarch Center's collections also include the papers of several other forest products faculty, including the Stanley E. Corder Papers (MSS Corder), Leif D. Espenas Papers (MSS Espensas), Douglas W. Glennie Papers (MSS Glennie), Robert. D. Graham Papers (MSS GrahamRD), and James W. Johnson Papers (JohnsonJW). The August Rauch Collection (MSS Rauch) documents Rauch's wood products research.

Preferred Citation: George H. Atherton Papers (MSS Atherton), Oregon State University Special Collections and Archives Research Center, Corvallis, Oregon.

Processing Information: Evaluations and grades of student papers have been redacted.

Creators

People, Places, and Topics

Atherton, George H. (George Harry), 1920-1987
Forest products--Oregon.
Forestry laboratories--Oregon--Corvallis.
Forestry schools and education--Curricula--Oregon--Corvallis.
Lumber--Drying.
Natural Resources
University History
Veneers and veneering.
Wood--Mechanical properties.
Wood--Testing.
Wood--Thermal properties.

Box and Folder Listing

Series 1: Student Reports, 1970-1979

Contains student project reports from 1970-1979 from the Department of Forest Products at Oregon State University taught by George Atherton. Series is arranged alphabetically by author names and contains a bibliography and index for class reports.

Box-Folder 1.1: Bibliography – Student Reports and Index through 1979, 1979

Note: Cross-reference index for class reports.

Box-Folder 1.2: Mark R. Arslan. An Evaluation of the Relationship between Torsional Modules of Rigidity and Modulus of Rupture in Bending for Douglas-Fir Dimension Lumber, 1978

Box-Folder 1.3: Jon C. Atherton. Effect of Species, Load and Load Cycling on Slip in Nailed Wood Joints, 1979

Box-Folder 1.4: Student Projects: B, 1970-1979

Item 1: Michael J. Bauman. Evaluation of Euler’s Formula for Predicting Critical Buckling Loads in Wood Columns, 1978
Item 2: Kurt Barats. Direct Withdrawal Resistance of Screws in Medium Density Fiberboard, 1978
Item 3: Jack W. Berka. The Effect of the Span-Depth Ratio on the Modulus of Elasticity and Modulus of Rigidity for Douglas-fir Box Beams, 1976
Item 4: Bruce W. Bevard. Study of Density Variation in Hardboard Using X-Radiation, 1970
Item 5: Philip R. Biencourt. Effect of Size and Location of Knots on the Bending Properties of Douglas-fir Studs, 1979
Item 6: Wayne E. Borgersen. The Effect of Time on Interlayer Slip of Plywood by Two-by Four and Fiberboard to Two-by-Four Nailed Joints, 1976
Item 7: Stephen D. Browning. Prediction of Strength and Stiffness of a Glued Laminated Beam from Properties of Cores Taken From the Laminations of the Beam, 1975
Item 8: Nicholas E. Bush. Direct and Lateral Resistance of Power-Driven Nails and Staples in Clear Douglas-fir, 1971

Box-Folder 1.5: John Boothe. The Effect of Fumigants at Three Temperatures on the Stiffness and Bending Strength of Douglas-fir Heartwood, 1976

Box-Folder 1.6: Student Projects: C, 1970-1977

Item 1: Christopher S. Carter. Determination of Moduli of Elasticity, Rupture, and Rigidity for Insulation Board, 1974
Item 2: John R. Cheeseman. Effect of Glueline Thickness on Shear and Tensile Properties of a Wood Composite, 1975
Item 3: Jon Chrysler. Is there a Difference in Bending Strength between Heartwood and Sapwood of Douglas-fir Veneer?, 1970
Item 4: Michael W. Clausen, Effect of Specimen Depth on Modulus of Elasticity in Clear Douglas-fir, 1973
Item 5: Robert J. Colella. Evaluation of the Slip Moduli of Three Plywood-To-Wall Stud Fastening Systems, 1973
Item 6: Joseph Coussens, Effects of Grade and Thickness Variations in Douglas-Fir Plywood on Modulus of Rupture, Modulus of Elasticity and Shear Strength, 1976
Item 7: Douglas L. Crandall. The Screw-Holding Strength of Particleboard, 1977
Item 8: Gary A. Deeke. Accuracy of Euler's Formula in the Prediction of Critical Load on Axially-Loaded Slender Columns, 1970

Box-Folder 1.7: Student Projects: D, 1970-1975

Item 1: Greg Dickson. Specific Gravity, Percent Summerwood, and Ring Count, as Predictors of Modulus of Elasticity and Modulus of Rupture, 1974
Item 2: Edward C. Dierling. The Effect of Fomes Pini on the Bending Strength and Stiffness of Clear Douglas-fir, 1970
Item 3: Mark C Dohrmann. Predicting Residual Strength and Stiffness of a Large Glued-Laminated Beam from Small Specimens Sawn from the Beam, 1975
Item 4: Michael B. Donivan. Strength of Furniture Joint vs. Furniture Joint Design, 1975

Box-Folder 1.8: Student Projects: E-F, 1970-1977, undated

Item 1: Tom Eby. The Effect of Density, Thickness and Board Location on Bending Strength, Stiffness and Internal Bond Strength of Commercially Produced Particleboard, 1977
Item 2: Jon E. Edens. The Effects of Nail Spacing, Nailing Angle, and Joints on Interlayer Slip, in Plywood Sheating—Two-By-Four Construction, 1975
Item 3: Keith Ehrensing. The Effect of Screw Size on Direct Screw Withdrawal Strength of Particleboard, 1970
Item 4: Bruce H. Erickson. Comparative Tests of Modulus of Elasticity and Modulus of Rupture Between Clear Wood Sapwood Produced Beyond an Occluded Knot and Clear Wood Sapwood Developed Between Nodes of a 27 Year Old Douglas-fir, 1970
Item 5: Thomas C. Ewen. A Comparison of the Modulus of Rupture, Modulus of Elasticity, Plywood Glue Line Shear Strength, and Percent Wood Failure on One Half Inch 3-Ply, 4-Ply, and 5-Ply Plywoods, 1971
Item 6: Virgilio A. Fernandez. Effect of Fire-Retardant Treatments on the Strength and Stiffness of Small Douglas-fir Beams, undated
Item 7: David F. Flaming. Effects of Specific Gravity, Depth of Penetration, and Grain Direction on the Direct Withdrawal Resistance of Nails, 1976

Box-Folder 1.9: Student Projects: G, 1972-1979

Item 1: Charles Geissel. Effect of Depth in Small Clear Beams on Modulus of Rupture, Modulus of Elasticity and Modulus of Rigidity, 1974
Item 2: Mark A. Gillies. Work Done in FP 422 Mechanical Properties II, 1978
Item 3: Dennis M. Golik. Dynamic Modulus of Elasticity Measured by Flexural Vibration as a Cantilever as a Predictor of Modulus of Rupture for Clear Western Hemlock, 1972
Item 4: Stephen W. Griffith. Effect of Head Speed, Span, and Thickness on Strength and Stiffness of Hardboard, 1979
Item 5: Mark Grube. The Comparison of the Strength Properties of Three Construction Panels, 1979

Box-Folder 1.10: Student Projects: H, 1970-1979

Item 1: David Haas. Effect of Use of Recycled Pulp on the Properties of Bleached Douglas-fir Kraft Paper, 1979
Item 2: Kerry A. Hart. A Comparison of MOR and MOE of Dry Douglas-fir 2 x 4 Studs from Peeler Cores and Small Logs with Studs from the Outer Part of Larger Logs, undated: Note: Includes 2 color prints
Item 3: John H. Hatton. Effect of Long Term Water Soak on Modulus of Rupture and Modulus of Elasticity in Particleboard Underlayment, 1970
Item 4: Guy G. Helsing. The Effect of Three Fumigants on Stiffness and Strength of Douglas-fir Heartwood, 1973
Item 5: Jim Herold. Direct Withdrawal Resistance of 1¼” Helically Grooved Nails Compared with 1¼” Flathead Screws in Douglas-Fir and White Oak, 1973
Item 6: Mark Hollaender. Comparing Nails and Screws and Investigating the Effect of Load Levels and Load Cycling on Interlayer Slip, 1979
Item 7: Robert K. Horton. The Effect of Beating and Sheet Weight on the Strength Properties of Kraft Paper, 1970

Box-Folder 1.11: Jim Hallstrom. Development of a Non-Destructive Testing Method for Unseasoned Douglas-fir Scaffold Plank, 1973

Box-Folder 1.12: Bill Huff. Modulus of Elasticity Measured by Static and Dynamic Methods as Non-destructive Predictors of Modulus of Rupture, 1976

Box-Folder 1.13: Student Projects: I-J, 1971-1976

Item 1: Bob Inwards. The Effect of Vapam (Sodium Methyl Dithiocarbamate) on the Stiffness and Bending Strength of Douglas-fir Heartwood, 1975
Item 2: John A. Johnson. Effect of Machine Direction on Certain Properties of Particleboard Underlayment, 1976
Item 3: David E. Jordan. The Effect of Load Application Direction with Respect to Grain Angle on the Shear Strength of Clear Douglas-fir, 1971

Box-Folder 1.14: Gotzsche-Larsen Jens. Determination of Modulus of Rigidity and True Modulus of Elasticity for Three Sizes of Douglas-fir Beams, 1976

Box-Folder 1.15: Gotzsche-Larsen Jens. Determination of Modulus of Rigidity and True Modulus of Elasticity for Three Sizes of Douglas-fir Beams, 1976

Box-Folder 1.16: Student Projects: K, 1973-1978

Item 1: Stephen S. Kelly. The Modulus of Elasticity of Particleboard as Effected by Small Span/Depth Ratios, 1977
Item 2: Nancy Klink. The Effects of Thickness, Frequency, and Sound Pressure Level on the Sound Transmission Loss of Three Materials Commonly Used in Building Construction, 1978
Item 3: Chuck L. Kroeger. Comparison of Utility-Grade Englemann Spruce Two-By-Four Stud Strength Ratios Determined by Three Different Methods, 1973

Box-Folder 1.17: Student Projects: L, 1976-1977

Item 1: David G. Langland. Effect of Beating Time, Basis Weight, and Test Span on Some Paper Properties, 1977
Item 2: Daniel J. Lewis. The Mechanical Properties of Hardboard as Affected by Orzan, 1977
Item 3: Gray S. Likins. Moduli of Elasticity Determined by Three Methods as a Predictor of Modulus of Rupture for Clear Douglas-fir Studs, 1977
Item 4: Jim Lyman. Variation of Modu1us of Elasticity in ½" Plywood With Respect to Specimen Size, 1976

Box-Folder 1.18: Student Projects: M, 1970-1978

Item 1: Norman Marrs. Effect of Fiberglass Lamination on the Strength of Small Clear Wood Specimens, 1970
Item 2: Edward J. McLaughlin Jr. Special Term Report on Activities in Mechanical Properties Tim Marcy, Moisture Content and How It Effects the Strength and Stiffness of Wood in Bending, 1974: Note: Includes 4 b/w prints
Item 3: Greg W. Miller. Strength and Stiffness of Composite I Beams with Structural Particleboard Webs and Solid Wood Flanges, 1975
Item 4: Arjen A. Morks. Effects of Accelerated Aging Methods on the Properties of Plywood, 1978
Item 5: Michael E. Murphy. The Effect of Preservative Treatments on the Withdrawal Resistance of Three Nail Types in Douglas-fir, 1978

Box-Folder 1.19: Student Projects: N-O, 1970-1979

Item 1: Scott Nebinger. Tension Strength and Stiffness of Nailed or Glued Truss Plate End-Joints, 1977: Note: Includes 2 b/w prints
Item 2: Bradley J. Nutting. Comparison of Bending Properties of Peeler Core-Cut and Log-Cut Studs, 1979
Item 3: Jerry Obendorf. Creep and Recovery in Particleboard as Affected by Relative Humidity, 1970: Note: Includes 5 b/w prints
Item 4: Edward W. Olson. Effect of Redrying on the Bending Properties of Veneer, 1979

Box-Folder 1.20: Student Projects: P, 1971-1979

Item 1: Gregg T. Perry. Effect of Moisture Contents Below Fiber Saturation Point on Modulus of Rupture and Modulus of Elasticity in Two Specific Gravity Classes of Flat-Grain Western Hemlock, 1971
Item 2: Larry Phillips. Accuracy of Eulers Formula in the Prediction of Critical Load on Axially Loaded Slender Columns, 1971
Item 3: James L. Ployhar. The Effect of High Temperature on the Strength of Two Northwest Softwoods, 1979
Item 4: Mark Powers. A Study of the Strength Properties of Hole-Incised Dimension Lumber, 1979
Item 5: Jerry Premo. The Effect of Moisture Content on Direct Withdrawal of Common Wire Nails in Western Hemlock, 1971

Box-Folder 1.21: Student Projects: R, 1970-1979

Item 1: Rod L. Remington. The Effect of Finger Joints on the Tensile Strength of Douglas-fir 2” x 4”, 1970
Item 2: Stephen Renn. The Effects of Nail Size, Plywood Thickness, and Edge Distance on Nail Strength and Joint Slip of Plywood-Solid Wood Joints, 1976
Item 3: Johan Rering. Flexural Properties of a Particleboard Wood-Veneer Composite, 1977

Box-Folder 1.22: Student Projects: S (Folder 1/2), 1970-1979

Item 1: Eric R. Schild. The Strength of Nail, Screw, and Glue Joints Using Ponderosa Pine, Douglas-fir Plywood, and Particleboard, 1978
Item 2: Glenn Schroeder. Relationships Between Specific Gravity, Hardness, Modulus of Elasticity, and Modulus of Rupture in Clear Douglas-fir, 1971
Item 3: Randall Scott. Predicting Plywood Strength and Stiffness from Veneer Strength and Stiffness, 1970
Item 4: Michael K. Seeds. A Comparison of Modulus of Rupture, Modulus of Elasticity, Shear Strength, and Percent Wood Failure of Three Different Types of One-Half Inch Exterior-Grade Douglas-fir Plywood, 1975
Item 5: Thomas H. Sheffield. An Experiment to Examine the Effect of Freezing Temperatures on the Bending Properties of Solid Wood, 1979
Item 6: Tom Shuford. Effect of Resin Impregnated Lead Holes on Direct Screw Withdrawal Resistance, 1970: Note: Includes 3 b/w prints

Box-Folder 1.23: Student Projects: S (Folder 2/2), 1971-1979

Item 1: Michael A. Sigman. Particleboard Properties as a Function of Location Within a Hot Press, 1978
Item 2: Ray Slaughter. Evaluating the Effect of Drying Temperature of Rotary-Cut Veneers on Modulus of Rupture and Modulus of Elasticity of 3/8" Douglas-Fir Plywood, 1971
Item 3: Harry R. Sondag. A Comparison of Two Methods of Accelerated Aging of Particle Board by Means of Modulus of Rupture, 1971
Item 4: Robert Neal Stephen. Comparison of Bending Strength, Stiffness and Internal Bond Strength for Two Types of Structural and One Industrial-Grade Particleboard, 1975
Item 5: John W. Stermer. The Determination of True Modulus of Elasticity of Douglas-fir and Coast Hemlock 2x6's, 1979

Box-Folder 1.24: Student Projects: Glenn Schroeder. Derivations Design, 1973

Box-Folder 2.1: Student Projects: T, 1974-1976

Item 1: George R. Tietze. Effect of Stress Level of the Creep of Three Types of Composite Boards, 1979
Item 2: Larry C. Tinker. Prediction of Modulus of Rupture and Modulus of Elasticity of Small Clear Specimens from Properties of Increment Cores, 1974
Item 3: Charles R. Turner. Correlation of Circular Saw Power Requirements with Wood Specific Gravity Variations and Saw Feed Rate, 1976

Box-Folder 2.2: Student Projects: U-V, 1976, 1979

Item 1: David Underriner. Specific Gravity, Ring Count, and Percent Summerwood as Indicators of Strength in Douglas-fir, 1979
Item 2: James S. Vahrenwald. Analysis of Visual Strength Ratio, Actual Strength Ratio, Specific Gravity and Modulus of Elasticity as Predictors of Modulus of Rupture, 1976

Box-Folder 2.3: Student Projects: W, 1971-1978

Item 1: Cle Wade. The Effect of Starch and Refining Time on Tensile Stretch, Tensile Energy Absorption, Bursting Strength and MOE in Bending of Paper, 1975
Item 2: Brian A. Wagner. Thickness, Density and Machine Direction and Their Effects on Bending Properties, 1977
Item 3: Tim Wall. Effect of Span Width, and Method of Loading on Modulus of Elasticity of Plywood, 1973
Item 4: Mark Watson. The Effect of Stress Level and Thickness Upon the Creep Properties of Particleboard From Two Different Sources, 1978
Item 5: Andrew F. Winkle. The Effect of Incising on Modulus of Rupture and Modulus of Elasticity of Douglas-fir, 1971
Item 6: Walter M. Wirfs. Effect of Impact on Modulus of Rupture and Modulus of Elasticity of Urea-formaldehyde Bonded Douglas-Fir Particle Board, 1973

Series 2: Reference Materials, 1937-1976

Contains correspondence, research data, reports, testing equipment manuals and related documentation pertaining to forest products. The bulk of the items in this series are related documentation and testing equipment manuals.

Box-Folder 2.4: Bark, Volume, and Specific Gravities (Lodewick), 1957: Note: Correspondence
Box-Folder 2.5: Bark Specific Gravity and Moisture Content, 1951: Note: Correspondence
Box-Folder 2.6: Barometer, 1937-1959: Note: Related Documentation
Box-Folder 2.7: Connectors, undated: Note: Research Data
Box-Folder 2.8: Combustion of Wood, 1958-1962: Note: Related Documentation
Box-Folder 2.9: Chips-Springfield Survey 20c, 1954: Note: Report
Box-Folder 2.10: CO2 vs. XSAIR and Stack Temp VSXS, 1956: Note: Related Documentation
Box-Folder 2.11: Corrosion and Deterioration of Wood in Contact with Iron Plus Other Corrosion, 1962-1964: Note: Research Data
Box-Folder 2.12: Deflectometer – Test Mach. Specs., undated: Note: Related Documentation
Box-Folder 2.13: DIAPH. Test Apparatus 45KI, Redesign of, 1960: Note: Research Data
Box-Folder 2.14: ERROTC in DEFL. RDGS when Using 8” x 6 ½” WF Beam in Test Machine and New 15” Deep I-Beam, 1966: Note: Research Data
Box-Folder 2.15: High-Temp. Veneer Drying Apparatus, 1966: Note: Research Data
Box-Folder 2.16: Floor Test Apparatus, 1963: Note: Research Data
Box-Folder 2.17: Shrinkage Measurement Apparatus, 1963: Note: Research Data
Box-Folder 2.18: Cap Test Mold, 1959: Note: Research Data
Box-Folder 2.19: Diaphragm Test Apparatus, 1960: Note: Research Data
Box-Folder 2.20: Heat Pump, 1948-1960: Note: Related Documentation
Box-Folder 2.21: Ignition, Charring Temp., Wood, 1949-1967: Note: Correspondence
Box-Folder 2.23: Impregnator, 1952: Note: Research Data
Box-Folder 2.24: 5/4 and 4/4 Joists, 1962: Note: Research Data
Box-Folder 2.25: Log Scale vs. FT3, Vol. of Stumps, 1953: Note: Related Documentation
Box-Folder 2.26: ALTEC – Microphone, 1954-1959: Note: Testing Equipment Manual
Box-Folder 2.27: MOE Calc. From Slope – 60,000 Test Mach., undated: Note: Related Documentation
Box-Folder 2.28: Reeves Drives, 1951: Note: Testing Equipment Manual
Box-Folder 2.29: Roots Blower, 1948: Note: Testing Equipment Manual
Box-Folder 2.30: Sanborn Recorder Schaevitz, Gages etc, 1963-1965: Note: Testing Equipment Manual
Box-Folder 2.31: Sanborn Recorder Manual, 1962-1964: Note: Testing Equipment Manual
Box-Folder 2.32: Shrinkage, Swelling, undated: Note: Related Documentation
Box-Folder 2.33: Steel Strength Variation, 1954: Note: Related Documentation
Box-Folder 2.34: Steel-Wood Joist-Stud, Cost Compare, 1972: Note: Related Documentation
Box-Folder 2.35: Strain Gages, 1960-1961: Note: Testing Equipment Manual
Box-Folder 2.36: Temp. Meas. Instr., 1949-1964: Note: Testing Equipment Manual
Box-Folder 2.37: Test Grips (Two Different Sets), 1964-1965: Note: Research Data
Box-Folder 2.38: Temp. Recorder Specs, GE-Also Range Change Kit, 1959-1967: Note: Testing Equipment Manual
Box-Folder 2.39: Thermal Expansion of Wood, 1960: Note: Related Documentation
Box-Folder 2.40: Thermal Properties of Wood (List of Duplications) USFPL, 1961: Note: Related Documentation
Box-Folder 2.41: Temperature Measurement, 1948-1951: Note: Related Documentation
Box-Folder 2.42: Veneer – Heated, 1960: Note: Related Documentation
Box-Folder 2.43: Vibration Insulators and Vibrators, 1954-1960: Note: Related Documentation
Box-Folder 2.44: Floor Vibration Meas., 1969-1974: Note: Testing Equipment Manual
Box-Folder 2.45: Weighing Devices, 1951-1952: Note: Test Equipment Manual
Box-Folder 2.46: Wood, Slabs, Cubic Vol. Rel., Also Bark on Slab, 1954: Note: Related Documentation
Box-Folder 2.47: INSTRON – Inst. Manuals, 1964-1971: Note: Testing Equipment Manual
Box-Folder 2.48: INSTRON – New Machines, 1976: Note: Testing Equipment Manual