Archives West Finding Aid

Eugene Starr is perhaps best known for his important contributions to the practice of transmitting high-voltage electricity across distances of many hundreds of miles. The large collection of published papers, internal reports, field data, correspondence and memoranda in Series 1 documents Starr's seven decades of work on the issue of high-voltage transmission. In so doing, the series reflects Starr's interest in engineering and testing reliable transmission systems able to withstand the natural elements while minimizing the risks posed by the systems to humans and other animal life.

The materials in Series 2 date to Starr's major contributions toward eliminating weather-related static electricity interference as it pertained to radio communications in aircraft.

A member of the Manhattan Project and later a consultant to the Atomic Energy Commission, Eugene Starr was closely acquainted with the development of nuclear power from its inception. The materials in Series 3 reflect this life-long interest, and specifically detail his contacts with nuclear power interests in the Pacific Northwest. Starr's participation as a civilian observer at the first Operation Crossroads nuclear test on Bikini Atoll is also documented in this series.

Through his long association with the Bonneville Power Administration, Eugene Starr encountered many opportunities for research and discussion on new forms of electric power generation. This series documents his interest in a variety of power sources, including alternative power generation through wind, hydroelectric and solar means.

Starr's close association with a handful of professional organizations are documented in this series. Of particular interest are the twelve boxes of materials related to Starr's interactions with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, including his two-year stint as a member of the group's Board of Directors.

Series 6 is comprised of administrative records and project files collected by Starr during his more than three decades of service to the Bonneville Power Administration. One highlight is the collection of internal reports and correspondence related to the landmark Pacific Northwest/Pacific Southwest high voltage intertie.

This small series documents Starr's five-week United Nations consulting assignment in India, the government of which had issued a grant proposal for funds to support power engineering research. A testament to his prestige at that time, Starr was tasked with heading a review of the Indian request.

The four boxes comprising Series 8 consist of published and unpublished papers, laboratory data and other assorted materials related to the study of electricity. A subset of these items date to Eugene Starr's years as an undergraduate student at Oregon Agricultural College.

The Biographical series consists of Eugene Starr's personal correspondence, photographs and newspaper clippings, financial records, travel materials and a variety of mementos mostly relating to Starr's long career in electrical engineering.