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Melvin Cutler Papers, 1947-2003

By Finding aid prepared by Elizabeth Nielsen.

Collection Overview

Title: Melvin Cutler Papers, 1947-2003

ID: MSS Cutler

Primary Creator: Cutler, Melvin (1923-)

Extent: 3.45 cubic feet. More info below.

Languages of Materials: English [eng]

Abstract

The Melvin Cutler Papers document his research and publications in the field of liquid semiconductors. Cutler was a Professor of Physics as Oregon State University from 1963 to 1988.

Scope and Content Notes

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.

Biographical / Historical Notes

Melvin Cutler was a professor in the Oregon State University Physics Department from 1963 until his retirement in 1988. Cutler earned his Ph.D. in chemistry from Columbia University in 1951 and was employed at the Hughes Aircraft Semiconducor Laboratory and the General Dynamics Company from 1951 to 1958 researching liquid semiconductors. Cutler specialized in the study of the electronic properties of molecular liquids and was particularly interested in the development of liquid semiconductors. Cutler died in Corvallis in 2005.

Administrative Information

More Extent Information: 1 box

Statement on Access: Collection is open for research.

Related Materials: Information pertaining to Cutler's years as an Oregon State University faculty member are part of the Department of Physics Records (RG 037). The Special Collections and Archives Research Center also holds the collections of several other Oregon State University Physics Department faculty, including the Rubin H. Landau Papers (MSS Landau), David B. Nicodemus Papers (MSS Nicodemus), E. Dale Trout Papers (MSS Trout), and the Willibald Weniger Papers (MSS Weniger).

Preferred Citation: Melvin Cutler Papers (MSS Cutler), Oregon State University Special Collections and Archives Research Center, Corvallis, Oregon.

Creators

Cutler, Melvin (1923-)

People, Places, and Topics

Cutler, Melvin, 1923-
History of Science
Liquid semiconductors.
Oregon State University--Faculty.
Physics--Research.
University History


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