Solid State Research Division records, 1899-2001
Part of collection: David Sarnoff Research Center records (2464-09)
Dates
- Creation: 1899-2001
Historical Note
The Solid State Research Division was formed in 1979 as Solid State Technology Research under Staff Vice-President Henry Kressel. Renamed the following year, the division conducted research and development on a wide range of solid state materials and devices, including integrated circuits, optoelectronics, electro-optics, and computer-aided design (CAD).
In 1983, Staff Vice-President Robert D. Lohman replaced Kressel. He left in 1986 and the position was vacant until the reorganization following SRI’s acquisition of the David Sarnoff Research Center in 1987 put Vice-President Brown F. Williams in charge. At the same time, the Division assumed responsibility for the Microwave Research Laboratory (formerly the Microwave Technology Center).
Williams soon retired and was replaced by Vice-President Carmen A. Catanese in 1988. The frequent turnover of leadership ended with the appointment of Vice-President (later Senior Vice-President) Michael Ettenberg in 1990. Ettenberg led the division into the 21st century.
Although they were closely related, the Solid State Research Division should not be confused with the RCA Solid State Division (see acc. 2464.75).
Scope and Content
The Solid State Research Division records document the David Sarnoff Research Center’s work in optical recording and storage, computer architecture, programming, microwave devices, charge-coupled devices (CCDs), and other technologies.
Particularly valuable are the Joseph A. Weisbecker papers, which cover both his pioneering work at RCA and his independent company Komputer Pastimes.
Arrangement
The Solid State Research Division records are arranged in seven series:
I. Robert A. Bartolini papers
II. Erwin F. Belohoubek papers
III. Charge-coupled device project records
IV. Grazyna Meray papers
V. Stewart M. Perlow papers
VI. Ronald K. Smeltzer papers
VII. Joseph A. Weisbecker papers
Extent
From the Collection: 990 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Additional Description
Access Restrictions
Records subject to 25-year time seal.
Arrangement
The Solid State Research Division records are arranged in seven series:
I. Robert A. Bartolini papers
II. Erwin F. Belohoubek papers
III. Charge-coupled device project records
IV. Grazyna Meray papers
V. Stewart M. Perlow papers
VI. Ronald K. Smeltzer papers
VII. Joseph A. Weisbecker papers
Related Names
Subject
- RCA Corporation. Solid State Division (Organization)
Creator
- From the Collection: Sarnoff Corporation (Organization)
- From the Collection: Radio Corporation of America. David Sarnoff Research Center, Princeton, N.J (Organization)
Repository Details
Repository Details
Part of the Manuscripts and Archives Repository
