Jack Warren Keuffel papers, 1921-1974

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Keuffel, Jack Warren, 1919-1974
Title
Jack Warren Keuffel papers
Dates
1921-1974 (inclusive)
Quantity
3.25 linear feet
Collection Number
ACCN 0935
Summary
The Jack Warren Keuffel papers (1921-1974) consists of correspondence, collegiate research and course work, abstracts, published papers, and project-related papers. Keuffel was a professor of physics at the University of Utah (1959-1974) and a principal researcher for a cosmic ray research team sponsored by the University of Utah Department of Physics.
Repository
University of Utah Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library
University of Utah
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City, UT
84112-0860

Telephone: 8015818863
special@library.utah.edu
Access Restrictions

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.

Languages
English

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Keuffel graduated from College High School in 1937; traveled to Europe, specifically Germany in 1938; graduated from Princeton University in 1941; attended the California Institute of Technology and began Ph.D. course work in 1942; worked in England at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Radiation Lab from 1942-1943 and Harvard's Radio Research Lab from 1943-1945; was instructed by J. Robert Oppenheimer at the California Institute of Technology in 1945; and met and married Betty Higgins in 1946. In 1948, Keuffel graduated from the California Institute of Technology with a Ph.D. in Physics. Keuffel was later an instructor (1948-1953) and an Associated Professior (1953-1959) for Princeton University. In 1959, Keuffel was hired as a professor for the Univeristy of Utah. Jack Warren Keuffel (1919-1974) was a noted physicist and professor at the University of Utah from 1959 to 1974.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Personal correspondence from 1935 to 1946 is housed in box 1. The correspondence consists primarily of letters from Keuffel to his parents. Box 2 contains personal correspondence from 1961 to 1973 and includes letters from Betty, Warren (Keuffel's son), Ken (Keuffel's brother), professional correspondence, Christmas cards, and letters of condolence pertaining to Keuffel's death (1974) written to the Cosmic Ray Group, a University of Utah research team of which Keuffel was the primary researcher. Keuffel's research and course work from high school and college, as well as a paper he wrote at age twelve and a lock of his hair at 21 months are in box 3. Also included in this box are editions of the College High newspaper, The College High Crier, of which Keuffel was editor-in-chief from 1936 to 1937, as well as some of his mathematics homework, final exam notes, and five papers from his collegiate course work between 1939 and 1947. Cylindrical spark counter diagrams, as well as data from his drum experiment, are also included. Box 4 holds a collection of abstracts, published papers, and other project-related papers, including research proposals presented to the National Science Foundation between 1969 and 1974. Personal information and lecture notes are housed in box 5. Also included in this collection are report cards, vitae, wedding announcement, and Princeton University Commencement announcement. Notes and research regarding Project CORT and other projects are contained in box 6. Notes and research regarding Proportional Modes, Speech Viewer and other projects are in box 7. Materials regarding the scholarship fund, Supersonic Transport Program, and Technical Advisory Committees to Influence Congress are also included in this box.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library’s Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.

Preferred Citation

Collection Name, Collection Number, Box Number, Folder Number. Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library, The University of Utah.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Acquisition Information

Donated by Betty Keuffel in 1995.

Processing Note

Processed by Jon McGowan in 1997.

Separated Materials

Photographs were transferred to the Multimedia Division of Special Collections (P0299).

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

CorrespondenceReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
1
Personal Correspondence
1935-1946
Folder
2 1-5
Personal Correspondence
These folders contain intermittent letters to family members.
1961-1973
2 6-8
Family Correspondence
These folders contain letters written by Betty, Warren, and Ken.
1961-1973
2 9
Family Correspondence
This folder contains letters written by others to Keuffel's parents.
1961-1973
2 10-12
Professional Correspondence
These folders contain correspondence between various university faculty and other professionals, including Keuffel.
1950-1973
2 13
Christmas Cards
This folder contains Christmas cards from various researchers and acquaintances.
2 14
Condolences
This folder contains copies of letters received by the Cosmic Ray Group written by university researchers and other professionals from around the world in response to news of Keuffel's death.
1974

Collegiate Research, Course Work, and Other PapersReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
3 1
Lock of Hair at 21 Months
1921
3 2
"Is There Life on Mars?"
This folder contains a typescript paper written by Keuffel at 12 years of age.
1931
3 3
College High Crier
Keuffel was editor-in-chief of the College High School newspaper from February 1936 to January 1937. The June 7, 1937 edition reports that Keuffel was the winner of the School essay contest.
1936-1937
3 4
College High School Commencement Announcement
1937
3 5-8
Calculus Homework
3 9
Calculus Final Exam Notes
3 10-12
Differential Equations Homework
3 13
Differential Equations Final
3 14
"History of Differential and Integral Calculus--From Descartes to Euler"
This folder contains a typescript paper written as part of his junior independent course work at Princeton.
1939
3 15
"Superconductivity"
This folder contains a typescript paper written as part of junior independent course work at Princeton.
1940
3 16
"Preliminary Measurements of Neutron Resonance Wedths in Silver"
1941
3 17
"Parallel-Plate Counters and the Measurement of Very Small Time Intervals"
This folder contains a typescript paper describing Keuffel's doctoral research that was in progress at the time.
1947
3 18
Surbey of Techniques Paper, Draft
3 19
Cylindrical Spark Counter Diagrams
1967
3 20-24
Drum Experiment
These folders contain specifications, readouts, and designs of the various components involved in the experiment.

Abstracts, Published Papers, and Other Project Related PapersReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
4 1
Abstracts
This folder contains seven abstracts that Keuffel was involved in writing or producing.
1949-1951
4 2
"Techniques of Cosmic Ray Timing Experiments"
This folder contains a typescript technical report.
1954
4 3
Reprints of Keuffel Articles
This folder contains reprints of articles that were authored or coauthored by Keuffel.
1955-1965
4 4
Papers
This folder contains various papers written by Keuffel, for publication or for internal university use.
1956-1974
4 5
"Cosmic Ray Muons and Neutrinos"
This folder contains a research proposal to the National Science Foundation.
1969
4 6
"Cosmic Ray Muon Study of Multi-TeV Processes"
This folder contains a research proposal to the National Science Foundation.
1971
4 7
"Cosmic Ray Muon Study of Ultra High Energy Processes"
This folder contains a research proposal to the National Science Foundation.
1974
4 8
Four Corners Project
This folder contains various memorandums, papers, and notes dealing with the Four Corners Project.
1970-1971
4 9
Environmentalism
This folder contains a typescript article dealing with the impact coal fired power plants have one the environment.
4 10-11
Saturday Sophmore Medical Clinic
These folders contain various schedules and financial records of this University of Utah clinic that Keuffel was apparently responsible for organizing and running.
1972-1974

Personal Information and Lecture NotesReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
5 1
Personal Account
5 2
Phi Beta Kappa nominations
5 3
Princeton University Commencement
1941
5 4
Report Cards
1931-1941
5 5
Vitae
5 6
Wedding Announcement
1946
5 7
Material Pertaining to Other Family Members
5 8
Vietnamese War Material
5 9
TV Typewriter, Instructions
5 10
Memorial Service
5 11
Obituaries
5 12
Newspaper Clippings
5 13-18
Notes, Lecture series on nuclear physics
5 19
Miscellaneous Notes

Project CORT and Other ResearchReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
6 1
Nuclear Test
6 2
Measurement of energy by scattering
6 3
Mike amp, pre-emph, scope and rewind ckts etc. (Callahan Su 73)
6 4
Original "Superfuik" plot
6 5
Physics Laboratory Manual
6 6
Program for research at home
1948-1949
6 7-10
Project CORT, day to day notes
6 11
Project CORT, plot
6 12
Project CORT, tape log
6 13
Project CORT, IC Cochlear Model
6 14
Project CORT, TV Presentation

Proportional Mode, Speech Viewer, and Other ProjectsReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
7 1
Scholarship Fund
7 2
Dr. Frederick Seitz, Presentation for D. Sc.
1968
7 3
Dr. Harlow Shapley, Autograph
7 4
Proportional Mode Notes, Schematics
7 5
Proportional Mode Notes, Component Literature
7 6
Proportional Mode Notes, Mine Data
7 7
Proportional Mode Notes, Experiment Results
7 8
Proportional Mode Notes, Calculations and Miscellaneous
7 9
Pulsed Giant Geigers (Pulgers) for Neutrino work
7 10
Miscellaneous Reprints
7 11
Research Notebook
1946-1947
7 12
Speech Viewer Notes
7 13
Speech View, Ckt Diagram
7 14
Speech Viewer, Diagram
7 15
Speech Viewer, Characteristics
7 16
Speech Viewer, Miscellaneous
7 17
SST
SST is the Supersonic Transport Program that Tactic was trying to get funding from the government for.
7 18
Tactic
Tactic (Technical Advisory Committees to Influence Congress) consist of about a half dozen scientists and engineers. It was organized by FAS (Federation of American Scientist). They influence congress on matters of arms control, the environment, and science policy.

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Cosmic physics
  • Cosmic rays
  • Physicists--Utah

Personal Names

  • Keuffel, Jack Warren, 1919-1974--Archives

Corporate Names

  • University of Utah--Faculty
  • University of Utah. Dept. of Physics

Form or Genre Terms

  • Articles
  • Clippings
  • Correspondence