By Finding aid prepared by Trevor Sandgathe.
Title: Chih H. Wang Papers, 1947-1984
Predominant Dates: 1960-1980
ID: MSS Wang
Primary Creator: Wang, Chih Hsing (1917-)
Extent: 13.8 cubic feet. More info below.
Arrangement: The Chih H. Wang Papers are arranged into six series: I: Correspondence, 1964-1984; II: Research Project Records, 1952-1983; III: Training and Education Project Records, 1958-1981; IV: OSU Radiation Center Administrative Records, 1950-1984; V: Publications, 1947-1972; VI: Subject Files, 1949-1980.
Languages of Materials: English [eng], Chinese [chi]
The Chih H. Wang Papers are composed of materials created and assembled by Wang as a faculty member of the Oregon State University Chemistry Department, Director of the OSU Radiation Center, and Head of the Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering. Materials include professional correspondence, OSU Chemistry Department and Radiation Center research records, workshop, conference, and training program files, OSU administrative records, publications by Wang, and subject files related to chemistry, nuclear science, and nuclear power policy and legislation. The Wang Papers document Wang's career, the founding and development of the OSU Radiation Center, and the growth of nuclear science research and training during the 1960s and 1970s.
Access to the OSU-TaiPower Training Program Group 7 and 8 participant records in Series 3 are restricted due to the presence of confidential information. For more information about access to restricted materials, please see our Guide to the Special Collections and Archives Research Center.
The Chih H. Wang Papers consist of materials generated and assembled by Wang, a faculty member of the OSU Chemistry Department, Head of the OSU Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering, and Director of the OSU Radiation Center, between 1947 and 1984. The collection includes professional correspondence with researchers, corporate partners, colleagues in Taiwan, and OSU administrators. The collection also includes records of research conducted by the OSU Chemistry Department and at the OSU Radiation Center in cooperation with the Atomic Energy Commission, the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Navy, Exxon, DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency), the U.S. Air Force, and others; correspondence and administrative files from workshops, conferences, and training programs including the Academic Year Institute in Nuclear Science and a multi-year training program for employees of the Taiwan Power Company (TaiPower); and records of the founding, growth, and operation of the OSU Radiation Center.
The collection also includes abstracts and offprints of publications by Wang in the fields of chemistry, biochemistry, and radiation sciences and includes research into the biochemistry of microorganisms, the effects of inorganic compounds of biological systems, the development of nuclear power, and nuclear technology instruction. Many of these publications were co-authored with other Oregon State University faculty, including Bert E. Christensen, Vernon H. Cheldelin, Donald J. Reed, and Frank N. Dost. Additionally, the collection contains subject files assembled by Wang relating to chemistry and biochemistry, radiation sciences, and nuclear power policy and legislation.
Chih H. Wang was Professor of Chemistry, Director of the Radiation Center, and Head of the Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering at Oregon State University. He was responsible for the growth of nuclear science research on the Oregon State University campus and the creation of the OSU Radiation Center.
Wang was born in 1917 in Shanghai, China. He attended the National University of Shandong where he earned his B.S. in chemistry. Wang's studies and employment were disrupted by the Second Sino-Japanese War and later World War II but, beginning in 1938, Wang found work as a chemistry instructor at West China Union University. In 1945, Wang immigrated to the United States where he enrolled at Oregon State College. There, he earned his Ph.D. in organic chemistry. In 1950, Wang joined the OSU Chemistry Department as an instructor, where he focused on research in biochemistry, plant physiology, microbiology, and radiation biology. As a result of his aggressive research agenda, Wang earned his full professorship. Wang's use of radioisotopes in research resulted in a push for improved radiation research facilities on the OSU campus. In 1958, Wang drafted the first of three proposals requesting funds to build a radiation center at OSU. Funding was granted in 1960 and construction of the facility began in 1962. The TRIGA reactor (OSTR) was installed and activated in the OSU Radiation Center in 1967. Wang was named Director of the Radiation Center and Head of the Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering--a position he filled until his retirement in 1984.
More Extent Information: 24 film transparencies; 43 boxes
Statement on Access: Access to the OSU-TaiPower Training Program Group 7 and 8 participant records in Series 3 are restricted due to the presence of confidential information. All other matierlas in this collection are open for research. For more information about access to restricted materials, please see our Guide to the Special Collections and Archives Research Center.
Acquisition Note: The Chih H. Wang Papers were accessioned from the OSU Radiation Center in July 2013.
Related Materials:
An oral history conducted with Chih Wang is located in the Horner Museum Oral History Collection (OH 010). Other materials pertaining to chemistry and nuclear science research and instruction at Oregon State University include the Radiation Center Records (RG 202), John C. Ringle Papers (MSS Ringle), E. Dale Trout Papers (MSS Trout), "How OSU Grew Nuclear Science" Oral Histories (OH 016). Chemistry Department Records (RG 098), Science Research Institute Records (RG 014), and the College of Science Records (RG 024).
Additional materials relating to nuclear science and engineering include the Barton C. Hacker Papers (MSS HackerB), Leonard M. Maki Nuclear Power Collection (MSS Maki), Charter Heslep Papers (MSS Heslep), Ava Helen and Linus Pauling Papers (MSS Pauling), and the History of Atomic Energy Rare Book Collection (RB Energy).
Preferred Citation: Chih H. Wang Papers (MSS Wang), Oregon State University Special Collections and Archives Research Center, Corvallis, Oregon.
Wang, Chih Hsing (1917-)
Cheldelin, Vernon H.
Christensen, Bert Einar (1904-)
Dost, Frank N.
Oregon State University. Radiation Center
Reed, D. J.
Chemistry--Research--Oregon.
Chemistry--Study and teaching (Higher)--Oregon.
History of Science
Microbiology--Research--Oregon.
National Science Foundation (U.S.)
Nuclear energy--Environmental aspects--United States.
Nuclear energy--Law and legislation--United States.
Nuclear engineering--Oregon.
Nuclear engineering--Study and teaching--Oregon--Corvallis.
Nuclear physics--Research--Oregon.
Nuclear reactors--Oregon--Corvallis.
Oregon Multicultural Archives
Oregon State University. Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering
Oregon State University. Radiation Center
Taiwan dian li gong si
U.S. Atomic Energy Commission
University History
Wang, Chih Hsing, 1917-
Film transparencies.