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Radiation Center Records, 1953-2008

By Finding aid prepared by Trevor Sandgathe

Collection Overview

Title: Radiation Center Records, 1953-2008

Predominant Dates: 1960-1995

ID: RG 202

Primary Creator: Oregon State University. Radiation Center

Extent: 12.0 cubic feet. More info below.

Arrangement: The Radiation Center Records (RG 202) are comprised of five series: I: Facilities & Equipment, 1953-2001; II: Research & Service, 1963-2001; III: Office Files, 1953-2008; IV: Annual Reports, 1967-2004; V: Photographs, 1965-1990.

Languages of Materials: English [eng]

Abstract

The Radiation Center Records are comprised of materials generated between 1953 and 2008 documenting the creation and operation of the Oregon State University Radiation Center. The collection contains administrative correspondence; records of the construction, operation, and maintenance of the Center's facilities and equipment; documentation of research conducted by the Radiation Center on behalf of OSU and other academic institutions, the U.S. Army, Oregon law enforcement agencies, and corporate partners; and records of the Center's day-to-day operations including detailed annual reports and records from several advisory groups.

Reference access scans of box-folders 7.10, 9.7, 10.18-19, and 10.27 are available upon request. The collection also includes several physical items, like floppy discs, that cannot be digitized at this time.

Scope and Content Notes

The Radiation Center Records are comprised of materials generated between 1953 and 2008 documenting the creation and operation of the Oregon State University Radiation Center. The collection includes reports, grant proposals, and other documents representing the initial formulation, planning, and construction of the Radiation Center; materials recording the maintenance and growth of the Center through facilities expansions, operation of new instrumentation, and management of radioactive materials; contracts, lab reports, correspondence, photos, and experimental data generated through research conducted by the Radiation Center on behalf of OSU, the U.S. Army, Oregon law enforcement agencies, and academic and corporate partners; and administrative committee records, annual reports, procedure and policy guides, photographs, newsclippings and promotional materials, and other office files representing the day-to-day operations of the Radiation Center.

Reference access scans of box-folders 7.10, 9.7, 10.18-19, and 10.27 are available upon request. The collection also includes several physical items, like floppy discs, that cannot be digitized at this time.

Biographical / Historical Notes

Nuclear research and education began at Oregon State University soon after World War II. Classes in nuclear physics and radiochemistry began in the early 1950s and, in 1955, a cyclotron was constructed. A graduate program in nuclear engineering was established in 1959 and, beginning in 1960, a committee recommended that a research lab be built to house nuclear and radiation facilities. Funding was secured in the fall of 1962, and construction on the OSU Radiation Center began in early 1964. Laboratory space in the Center was occupied as early as August 1964. In January 1967, a 250 kilowatt research reactor (OSTR) was completed. Under the guidance of the Center's first director, Chih H. Wang, the reactor was upgraded to a 1 megawatt output and the Radiation Center facilities were expanded significantly to include radiography facilities, a Co-60 gamma irradiator, an x-ray generator, and other highly specialized equipment. The Radiation Center housed the Nuclear Engineering Program, provided instruction and access for dozens of courses annually, and engaged in a major reactor use sharing program with other institutions in Oregon and beyond. The Radiation Center staff also established research contracts with the U.S. military, public utilities, and private research groups and provided neutron activation analysis services to law enforcement agencies around the state.

The Radiation Center continues to operate today with an expanded array of facilities, instrumentation, and services.

Administrative Information

More Extent Information: 4 3.5" floppy disks; 1 compact disk; 250 photographic prints; 150 photograph negatives; 5 slides; 40 film transparencies; 100 neutron radiography prints; 150 radiography negatives

Statement on Access: The collection is open for research.

Acquisition Note: Materials comprising the Radiation Center Records were accessioned from the Radiation Center in 2001 and 2002 by the OSU University Archives and in 2013 by the Special Collections and Archives Research Center (SCARC). The Radiation Center Photographs (P 033) and the Radiation Safety Department Records (RG 204) have also been transferred into this collection. The Radiation Center Records now reside in SCARC.

Related Materials: Other materials pertaining to radiation science research and instruction at Oregon State University include the Chih H. Wang Papers (MSS Wang), College of Engineering Records (RG 062), John C. Ringle Papers (MSS Ringle), E. Dale Trout Papers (MSS Trout), "How OSU Grew Nuclear Science" Oral Histories (OH 16). Additional materials relating to nuclear science and engineering include the Barton C. Hacker Papers (MSS HackerB), Barton C. and Sally L. Hacker Nuclear Affairs Collection (MSS Hacker), 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 Collection (RB Energy). Records on the construction and maintenance of the Radiation Center can be found in the Facilities Services Records (RG 193).

Preferred Citation: Radiation Center Records (RG 202), Oregon State University Libraries Special Collections & Archives Research Center, Corvallis, Oregon.

Creators

Oregon State University. Radiation Center

People, Places, and Topics

History of Science
Johnson, A. Grace (Alma Grace), 1878-1933
Nuclear engineering--Oregon.
Nuclear engineering--Study and teaching--Oregon--Corvallis.
Nuclear physics--Research--Oregon.
Nuclear reactors--Oregon--Corvallis.
Oregon State University. Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering
Oregon State University. Radiation Center
United States. Army
University History
Wang, Chih Hsing, 1917-

Forms of Material

Born digital.
Compact discs.
Film negatives.
Film transparencies.
Floppy disks.
Glass plate negatives.
Photographic prints.
Radiographs.
Slides (photographs).


Box and Folder Listing