The Melvin Cutler Papers document his research activities prior to joining the faculty of Oregon State University. They include his Ph.D. dissertation, The Viscosity of Dilute Polyacrylic Acid Solutions; a paper presented at the Cambridge A.P.S. meeting in 1953; and reprints of journal articles published during the 1950s.
An addition to the Cutler Papers (Accession 2011:045) is made up of article reprints, books, correspondence, a financial journal, notes, passports and other identification, photographs, reference materials, research data, and student theses. These materials primarily document the research and publication activities of physics professor Cutler on the subject of liquid semiconductors. About half of this addition consists of notes, research data, and various drafts of articles and the book "Liquid Semiconductors" (of which there are published copies in both English and Russian). Some of notes are narrative philosophical musings on topics such as knowledge, "neuronics," neural network theory, and naturalism. Most of the correspondence detail social interactions between Cutler and friends and includes greeting cards, invitations, postcards, Christmas letters, and photographs. Other letters pertain to Cutler's work in Europe on fellowships, the OSU Physics Department, and association with the Hughes Aircraft Company. Numbering 60 photographs in total (40 prints and 20 negatives), the images include portraits shots of Cutler, group shots of Physics Department staff, Cutler at conference meetings, and Cutler's friends with their families.The theses contain research done by graduate students of Cutler's and reflect his role as head advisor. Some of these students remained friends with Cutler and are represented in the correspondence.
