Walter Brattain family papers, 1860-1990

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Brattain, Walter H. (Walter Houser)
Title
Walter Brattain family papers
Dates
1860-1990 (inclusive)
1901-1990 (bulk)
Quantity
35 linear feet, (45 boxes)
Collection Number
WCMss.022
Summary
This collection contains the scientific and personal papers of Walter Brattain, an inventor of the transistor and winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics, in addition to his family papers.
Repository
Whitman College and Northwest Archives
Whitman College and Northwest Archives
Penrose Library, Room 130
345 Boyer Avenue
Walla Walla, WA
99362
Telephone: 5095275922
Fax: 5095264785
archives@whitman.edu
Access Restrictions

Restrictions are noted.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Walter Houser Brattain was born on Feb. 10th, 1902 in Amoy, China. He was the son of Ross R. Brattain and Ottilie Houser, the oldest of their five children. Two of his sisters died very young; he spent his childhood in Washington State with his third sister, Mari Brattain, and his brother, R. Robert Brattain. The Brattain family had many Whitman College connections: Ross and Ottilie met at Whitman and Ross graduated from the college in 1901. Walter graduated from Whitman in 1924 with majors in Physics and Math under Professors Benjamin H. Brown (Physics) and Walter A. Bratton (Math).

There were three other physicists of note who graduated in Walter Brattain's class: Walker Bleakney, E.J. Workman, and Vladimir B. Rojansky, with whom he collaborated over the years. The four of them were known as Whitman's "Four Horsemen of Physics." While a Whitman student, Brattain was passionate about math, an excellent tennis player and member of the Kirkman Club, a fraternal group.

After receiving his Bachelor of Science degree from Whitman, Brattain was awarded a Masters of Arts by the University of Oregon in 1926 and a Doctorate of Philosophy by the University of Minnesota in 1929. After completing his graduate studies, Brattain worked for the radio section of the National Bureau of Standards in Washington, D.C., from 1927 to 1928. In 1929 he joined the technical staff of Bell Telephone Laboratories and worked as a research physicist until his retirement in 1976. During World War II, he was associated for 22 months with the National Defense Research Committee at Columbia University, working on magnetic detection of submarines. Brattain was a visiting lecturer at Harvard University during the fall of 1952 and a visiting lecturer at Whitman College between 1962 and 1963, becoming a visiting professor between 1963 and 1972 and an adjunct professor from 1972 until 1976. He remained afterwards as a consultant at Whitman.

Brattain was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1956, with Dr. John Bardeen and Dr. William B. Shockley, "for research on semiconductors and the discovery of the transistor effect." These three American physicists invented the transistor on December 23, 1947, at the American Telephone and Telegraph Company at Bell Laboratories. The transistor's name derives from the descriptive phrase "transfer of signal through varsitor." The transistor is a solid state device involved in connecting battery power to signal power. As a key element in amplifying small electrical signals and in processing of digital information, it is today an active component in all electronic systems. Brattain received honorary Doctor of Science degrees from Portland University in 1952, from Whitman College and Union College in 1955, and from the University of Minnesota in 1957. In 1952 he was awarded the Stuart Ballantine Medal of the Franklin Institute, and in 1954 the John Scott Medal. The degree at Union College and the two medals were received jointly with Dr. John Bardeen, in recognition of their work on the transistor. In 1974, he was named to the National Inventors Hall of Fame.

Brattain was a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the Franklin Institute, a Fellow of the American Physical Society, and a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He was also a member of the commission on semiconductors of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics and of the Naval Research Advisory Committee. At Whitman, he was nominated to membership in Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Xi. He also served as an Overseer for the college.

The chief field of Brattain's research was the surface properties of solids, as well as research directed at (1) thermionic emission and absorbed layers on tungsten, phospholipids bylayers or membranes rectification and (2) photo effects at semiconductor surfaces (ergo, cuprous oxide, silicon and germanium). Among his contributions are the discoveries of photo effect at the free surface of a semiconductor, the invention of the point-contact transistor jointly with Dr. John Bardeen, and shared research on piezoelectric frequency standards, magnetometers, blood clotting, and infrared detectors.

Walter Brattain married Dr. Keren Gilmore (chemist) in 1935 and had a son, William G. Brattain, in April, 1943. Keren died in April 1957. In May, 1958, he married Mrs. Emma Jane (Kirsch) Miller, a Whitman College alumna. He had three stepchildren and 10 grandchildren. Walter Brattain died on October 13, 1987, in Seattle, Washington, of Alzheimer's disease.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The collection is divided into two sections: materials created by Walter Brattain in the context of his profession and career (series 1-6), and materials created by the Brattain family (series 7-11).

The Walter Brattain papers contain correspondence between Brattain and his collaborators, Bell Laboratories, Nobel Prize-related correspondence, and letters to other Whitman College alumni. Brattain's writings include his autobiography, speeches, and scientific publications. In addition, the collection contains materials related to his teaching career, research notes, numerous awards and honors, and travels to conferences around the world. The collection also contains photographs of college and reunions, dinner ceremonies and awards, scientific experiments, transistors, and conference trips, specifically those to China and Europe. Rounding out the collection are published scientific papers, awards and diplomas, newspaper clippings, and audio and video recordings.

The Brattain family papers include family histories, correspondence, writings, and photographs. The correspondence series contains letters written or received by members of the Brattain family, including Walter, Ross and Ottilie, Emma Jane, and Keren Brattain. Also included are family and vacation photos. An extensive collection of glass lantern slides documents scenes of daily life in China in the early 1900s. The two groups of materials are not unrelated and some materials might be valuable to both sections but integrated only in one.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. Copyright not transferred to Whitman College.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Acquisition Information

Donated to the Whitman College and Northwest Archives by William and Evelyn Brattain in 1990. The accession number is retro-0023.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

1:  Correspondence, 1921-1982Return to Top

4 linear feet

Boxes 1-3: General correspondence (incoming and outgoing) arranged by year

Box 4: Correspondence (incoming and outgoing) arranged by writer or recipien

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
1 1
General Correspondence
1923-1939
1 2
General Correspondence
1940-1949
1 3
General Correspondence
1950-1951
1 4
General Correspondence
January-May 1952
1 5
General Correspondence
June-December 1952
1 6
General Correspondence
1953
1 7
General Correspondence
1954
1 8
General Correspondence
1955
1 9
General Correspondence
1956
1 10
General Correspondence
1957
1 11
General Correspondence
1958
1 12
General Correspondence
January-April 1959
1 13
General Correspondence
May-December
1 14
General Correspondence
1960
1 15
General Correspondence
January-June 1961
1 16
General Correspondence
July-December 1961
2 1
General Correspondence
January-April 1962
2 2
General Correspondence
May-December 1962
2 3
General Correspondence
January-May 1963
2 4
General Correspondence
June-December 1963
2 5
General Correspondence
1964
2 6
General Correspondence
1964
2 7
General Correspondence
1965
2 8
General Correspondence
1965
2 9
General Correspondence
1966
2 10
General Correspondence
1966
2 11
General Correspondence
January-May 1967
2 12
General Correspondence
June-December 1967
3 1
General Correspondence
1968
3 2
General Correspondence
1969
3 3
General Correspondence
1970
3 4
General Correspondence
1971
3 5
General Correspondence
1972
3 6
General Correspondence
1973
3 7
General Correspondence
1974
3 8
General Correspondence
1975
3 9
General Correspondence
1976
3 10
General Correspondence
1977
3 11
General Correspondence
1978
3 12
General Correspondence
1979
3 13
General Correspondence
1980
3 14
General Correspondence
1981-1982
4 1
Autographs
1979-1982, undated
4 2
Autograph Requests (Denied)
1980-1982, undated
4 3
Roland Bainton Correspondence
1973
4 4
Walker Bleakney Letter
1925
4 5
R. Robert Brattain Correspondence and Papers
1965, undated
4 6
Benjamin Brown Correspondence
1925
4 7
Henry Jackson Correspondence 1
1965-1969
4 8
Henry Jackson Correspondence 2
1970-1981
4 9
John Scott Award Correspondence
1955
4 10
Lindau Correspondence
1981-1982
4 11
"Mike" Long Correspondence
1972-1973
4 12
Publishers Correspondence
1972-1978
4 13
Reference Letters
1963-1979
4 14
Vladimir Rojansky
1944-1981
4 15
Round Robin Letters – Walter Brattain, Vladimir Rojansky, E.J. Workman, and Walker Bleakney
1928-1929
4 16
Donald Rudin and Paul Mueller Correspondence
1966-1967
4 17
"Understanding Science" Lectures Correspondence
1975-1978
4 18
Whitman College Correspondence
1962-1964
4 19
Whitman College 50th Anniversary of the Class of 1924 Correspondence
1974
4 20
Nobel Letters and Family Correspondence
1942-1956
4 21
Correspondence - Miscellaneous
1966-1980
4 22
From Nobel winners to Pope
1965
4 23
Letters to Congressmen and President
1975
4 24
Answered Congratulations
1956
4 25
Nobel Prize Congratulations Telegrams
1956
4 26
Nobel Prize Congratulations Letters and Cards
1956-1957
4 27
Nobel Prize Congratulations Letters
1956
4 28
Vladimir Rojansky and Walker Bleakney Letters
1924-1974
4 29
From Whitman Alumni to Walter Brattain
1921-1928
4 30
Harvard Engineering School – Walker Bleakney
1924-1937
4 31
Letters to and from Vladimir Rojansky
1924, 1974
4 32
Round Robin Booster Letters
1928-1930
4 33
Letters from Walker Bleakney to Walter Brattain
1925-1931
4 34
Background information on the November 7, 1925, letter of Walker Bleakney to Vladimir Rojansky and Walter Brattain
undated
4 35
John Bardeen
undated
4 36
Hector Chevigny
undated
4 37
Letters from Wheaton Kraft
1916-1929
4 38
William Shockley
undated
4 39
Foreign Correspondence
1971-1976
4 40
Walter Bratton
1942

2:  Career, 1917-1989Return to Top

11 linear feet

This series documents Walter Brattain's career as a student and teacher of physics, as well as his scientific research, speeches, and writings. In addition, this series contains information on the conferences he attended and the professional memberships and accolades he received.

Container(s) Description Dates
1: Teaching
Walter Brattain taught at Whitman College from the late 1960s through the early 1970s. He taught several physics courses, as well as general science courses designed to help students "understand natural phenomena."
1953-1971
Box Folder
5 1
Science 51 Final Exams
undated
5 2
Science 51 Grade Book RESTRICTED UNTIL 2040
undated
5 3
Science 51 Lectures
1967-1967
5 4
Science 51 Lectures
1970
5 5
Science 51 Lectures
1971
5 6
Science 51 Master Lectures
undated
5 7
Science 51 Mid-Semester
1971
5 8
Science 51 Original Lectures, 1-9
undated
5 9
Science 51 Original Lectures, 10-13
undated
5 10
Science 51 Notes
undated
5 11
Science 51 Review
undated
5 12
Science 52 Exams
1966-1972
5 13
Science 52 Grades
1967
5 14
Science 52 Lectures
undated
5 15
Science 52 Lectures
1969
5 16
Science 52 Lectures
1971
5 17
Science 52 Master Lectures
undated
5 18
Science 52 Notes
1968
5 19
Science 52 Original Lectures 1
undated
5 20
Science 52 Original Lectures 2
undated
5 21
Science 52 Quiz
undated
5 22
Science 52 Review
undated
5 23
Science 52 Supplementary Material
undated
5 24
Science 51 and 52 Tests, Quizes, and Review Stencils
undated
5 25
Science 51 and 52 Tear Sheets
undated
6 1
96B Solid State
undated
6 2
Physics 243 Assignments and Tests
undated
6 3
Physics 243 Experiments
undated
6 4
Physics 243 Lectures
undated
6 5
Physics 297 Lectures
undated
6 6
Class Names
undated
6 7
Continental Classroom
undated
6 8
Corrected Lectures
undated
6 9
Cost of Revising Lectures
undated
6 10
Dates of Talks and Papers for Minnesota
undated
6 11
Grades and Miscellaneous RESTRICTED UNTIL 2040
undated
6 12
Lecture Book Notes
undated
6 13
Master Lectures
undated
6 14
Master Lectures Extras
undated
6 15
Minnesota
1953
6 16
Notes on Physics of Transistors and Semiconductors Course
undated
6 17
Revised Lectures
undated
6 18
Sample Lectures 1 and 12
undated
6 19
Teaching Transistor Physics
undated
6 20
Transcripts of Minnesota Lectures
undated
6 21
University of Washington Summer Institute
undated
6 22
Differential Equations of Mathematical Physics
undated
6 23
Electrical Engineering Laboring Notes
undated
6 24
Old Exam Questions, Minnesota and Earlier
undated
6 25
Optics
undated
6 26
Physics Department Notes
undated
6 27
Physics Folder
undated
6 28
Spring Quarter Dynamics Notes
undated
6 29
University of Oregon Advanced Elective Course Notebook
undated
2: Transistor-Related Materials
This sub-series contains articles, photographs, speeches, and other materials related to the development of the transistor. Included are writings and correspondence by Walter Brattain, as well as materials he collected.
1940-1984
Box Folder
7 1
"Experiments Leading Up to the Discovery of the Transistor," talk given at conference in Bell Telephone Laboratories
1948
7 2
Articles on Transistor's Invention
1948
7 3
Transistor Promotional Photographs
1940s
7 4
Transistor Press Releases
1948
7 5
Transistor's Discovery
1940-1980
7 6
Discovery Photos
undated
7 7
Transistor Memorandum
undated
7 8
Transistor Articles
1948
7 9
Transistor Talks
1948
7 10
"The Story of the Transistor"
1958
7 11
"Genesis of the Transistor"
undated
7 12
"Genesis of the Transistor" Memorandum
undated
7 13
"Genesis of the Transistor" Miscellaneous
undated
7 14
"Genesis of the Transistor" Pamphlets
1972
7 15
Correspondence Regarding Publication of "Genesis of the Transistor"
1975
7 16
Published "Genesis of the Transistor"
1968
7 17
"Genesis of the Transistor" Reference Material
undated
7 18
Transistor Articles
1948-1979
7 19
Transistor Patents
1953
7 20
Early Transistor Article Clippings
1948-1955
7 21
Tenth Anniversary of the Transistor
1958
7 22
Essay on the Tenth Anniversary of the Transistor
1958
7 23
20th Anniversary of the Transistor
1968
7 24
25th Anniversary of the Transistor
1972
7 25
25th Anniversary of the Transistor 2
1972
7 26
25th Anniversary of the Transistor 3
1972
7 27
25th Anniversary Statement
undated
7 28
Transistor Anniversary and Clippings
1972-1981
7 29
Transistor Circuits Miscellaneous
1952-1954
7 30
J. Bardeen and W.H. Brattain, "The Transistor, A Semi-Conductor Tale"
1948
7 31
J. Bardeen and W.H. Brattain, "Physical Principles Involved in Transistor Action"
1948
7 32
J. Bardeen, W.H. Brattain, W. Shockley, and G.L. Pearson, "The Transistor and Related Experiments"
1948
7 33
Transistor Miscellaneous
1972
7 34
"Transistor Resisters"
undated
7 35
Charles Weiner, "The Social Inventions Behind the Transistor"
1972
7 36
"The Physics of Transistors and Semiconductors" Booklet
undated
7 37
Bell Labs Correspondence and Soundsheet
1956-1975
7 38
Press Release - Transistors
1948
7 39
Transistor Clippings
1948-1987
7 40
Nobel Clippings
1956-1963
7 41
Transistor and Nobel Publications
1948-1984
7 42
Walter Brattain, "Discovery of the Transistor Effect: One Researcher's Personal Account," in Adventures in Experimental Physics
undated
45 1
Picture and Data for the First Transistor
1947
3: Speeches and Writings
This sub-series includes handwritten and typewritten manuscripts as well as published articles written or co-authored by Walter Brattain. The bound collections of Bell Telephone Systems monographs include a number of articles by Walter Brattain.
1924-1981
Box Folder
8 1
Autobiography
undated
8 2
"Saga of An Expedition to Stockholm, Sweden, December, 1956" (multiple copies)
undated
8 3
"Contacts Between Metals and Semiconductors"
undated
8 4
"Development of Concepts in Semiconductor Research" Promotional Poster
1959
8 5
Dun's Review Statement
undated
8 6
"Is the Scientist Morally Responsible for the Use of His Discovery?"
undated
8 7
Harvard Engineering School Exam: Vladimir Rojansky, Walker Bleakney, and Walter Brattain
1924, 1974
8 8
Response to Senator Thomas Henning re: Secrecy and Science
undated
8 9
"How to Justify Scientific Research at the Executive Level – In Government – In Defense Department"
undated
8 10
"The Physics of Transistors," Outline of Speech
1949
8 11
Lecture Promotional Clippings
1952-1968
8 12
Lipid Papers
1968-1970
8 13
Local College Talks
undated
8 14
"Man and The Universe"
1959
8 15
Northwest Conference on College Physics – outline of talk and experiment notes
1963
8 16
Meteor Sighting
undated
8 17
"Semiconductors," talk given to Metropolitan Section of American Physical Society
1937
8 18
"Oscillographic Study of Discharge of Condenser Through Inductance and Resistance and Spark Gap," Thesis, University of Oregon
1926
8 19
Talk given at Phi-Beta Kappa and Stories
1970
8 20
"A Pint's A Pound The World Around"
undated
8 21
Papers
undated
8 22
The Physics of Transistors and Semiconductors, including "The Copper Oxide Rectifier" by Brattain
undated
8 23
"Remarks on NIN Group"
undated
8 24
"Reminiscences of 40 Years in Physics"
undated
8 25
American Institute of Physics History
1981
8 26
Special Talks, 1
1957-1963
8 27
Special Talks, 2
1959-1976
8 28
"Genesis of the Transistor" Correspondence
1965-1966
8 29
"Genesis of the Transistor," notes and publicity, sponsored by Albuquerque, New Mexico Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.
1978
8 30
Speech Given at Dedication of Boeing's Research Building and Speech Given to High School Students
1960-1961
8 31
"Some Points about Surface Phenomena"
1970
8 32
Talks
1956-1968
8 33
Testimony 1
1961-1965
8 34
Testimony 2
1965
8 35
Testimony 3
undated
8 36
Transcripts of Interviews Taken on Tape Recorder
1964, 1974
8 37
"The University in A Troubled Society"
undated
8 38
Northwest Conference on College Physics
1963
8 39
"Man and the Universe," Whitman College Centennial Lecture
1959
8 40
"What is Science?" Washington State University Lecture
1971
8 41
"Genesis of the Transistor," Washington State University Lecture
1979
8 42
"Optical Constants of Germanium"
1948
8 43
Continental Classroom, "Physics for the Atomic Age," NBC Television Script
1959
8 44
W.H. Brattain and W. Shockley, "Density of Surface States on Silicon Deduced from Contact Potential Measurements"
1947
8 45
W.H. Brattain and L.G. Pearson, "Changes in Conductivity of Germanium Induced by Alpha-Particle Bombardment"
1950
8 46
"Efficiency of Excitation by Electron Impact and Anomalous Scattering in Mercury Vapor," Thesis, University of Minnesota
1929
8 47
P.J. Boddy and W.H. Brattain, "Electrical Properties of the Anodically Etched Germanium Surface"
1963
8 48
P.N. Sawyer, Kwang-Tzen Wu, S.A. Wesolowski, W.H. Brattain, and P.J. Boddy, "Electrochemical Precipitation of Blood Cells on Metal Electrodes: An Aid in the Selection of Vascular Prostheses?"
1965
8 49
A.M. Portis, A.F. Kip, C. Kittel, and W.H. Brattain, "Electron Spin Resonance in a Silicon Semiconductor"
1953
8 50
"Evidence for Surface States on Semiconductors from Change in Constant Potential on Illumination"
1947
8 51
"Historical Development of Concepts Basic to the Understanding of Semiconductors"
1968
8 52
W.H. Brattain and P.J. Boddy, "Interaction of Iodide Ion with Germanium Electrodes"
1965
8 53
J. Bardeen, W.H. Brattain, and W. Shockley, "Investigation of Oxidation of Copper by Use of Radioactive Cu Tracer"
1946
8 54
T.M. Buck and W.H. Brattain, "Investigations of Surface Recombination Velocities on Ge by the Photoelectromagnetic Methods"
1955
8 55
"Irreversible Electrochemical Precipitation of Mammalian Platelets and Intravascular Thrombosis"
1964
8 56
"Introduction to the Chemistry and Physics of Surfaces"
undated
8 57
P.N. Sawyer, K.T. Wu, S.A. Wesolowski, W.H. Brattain, and P.J. Boddy, "Long-Term Potency of Solid-Wall Vascular Prosthesis"
1965
8 58
Memorandum: "A Vacuum System for Vaporization of Metal Contacts Onto Copper-Oxide Varistors" (includes photographs)
1937
8 59
Old Abstracts
1930-1937
8 60
College Association for Public Events and Services (California)
1968
8 61
D.R. Kalkwarf, D.L. Frasco, and W.H. Brattain, "Current Rectification and Action Potentials Across Thin Lipid Membranes" and "Ion-Diffusion Potentials and Electrification Rectification Across Lipid Membranes Activated by Excitation-Induced Material"
1972
8 62
W.H. Brattain and P.J. Boddy, "Surface States at a Germanium-Electrolyte Interface"
1962
8 63
"Rectification Series" abstract
1946
8 64
P.J. Boddy and W.H. Brattain, "Residual Surface Recombination of Germanium Anodes"
1965
8 65
"Semiconductor Surface Phenomena"
1950
8 66
"Photo Cells at the Surface of a Semiconductor" (including photographs)
1944
8 67
W.H. Brattain and C.G.B. Garrett, "Surface Properties of Germanium and Silicon"
1954
8 68
"Surface Properties of Semiconductors," lecture to the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
1956
8 69
J.A. Becker and W.H. Brattain, "Thermionic Work Function of Slope and Intercept of Richardson Plots"
1934
8 70
Varistors, including "The Copper Oxide Varistor" by Walter Brattain
undated
8 71
D.R. Kalkwarf, D.L. Frasco and W.H. Brattain, "Current Rectification and Action Potentials Across Thin Lipid Membranes"
undated
8 72
J.A. Becker and W.H. Brattain, "Useful Equations in the Design of Thermistors"
1944
8 73
"Development of Concepts in Semiconductor Research," Richtmyer Lecture
1956
8 74
"Dependence of Small Signal Parameters of n-p-n Transistors on Width of Collector Space Charge Layer"
1953
8 75
"John Dewey" Essay
undated
8 76
"Paper for Cross Roads"
circa 1925
8 77
Personal
undated
9 1
Bell Telephone System Monographs, volume 1
1947-1950
9 2
Bell Telephone System Monographs, volume 2
1950-1952
9 3
Bell Telephone System Monographs, volume 3
1951-1953
9 4
Bell Telephone System Monographs, volume 4
1953-1954
9 5
Bell Telephone System Monographs, volume 5
1954-1955
9 6
Bell Telephone System Semiconductor Monographs, volume 1
1946-1951
9 7
Bell Telephone System Semiconductor Monographs, volume 2
1952-1953
9 8
Bell Telephone System Semiconductor Monographs, volume 3
1952-1953
9 9
Reprints of Articles by Walter Brattain
1949-1962
4: Conferences
This sub-series includes itineraries, pamphlets, and correspondence related to conferences Walter Brattain attended around the world.
1948-1981
Box Folder
10 1
Itinerary for Stockholm Trip
1956
10 2
Amsterdam Conference
1953-1954
10 3
Basel, Switzerland, International Union of Pure and Applied Physics
1966
10 4
Boston
1971
10 5
Brussels and Europe
1958
10 6
Brussels International Physics Conference (Photos)
1958
10 7
Brussels Telecommunications Exposition
1958
10 8
California Institute of Technology Albuquerque Trip
1978
10 9
California Institute of Technology's 75th Anniversary
1966
10 10
Cambridge – 10th International Conference on the Physics of Semiconductors
1970
10 11
China
undated
10 12
China Trip Directory
1979
10 13
Columbia Basin College
1968
10 14
Conference on Physics of Semiconductor Surface
1956
10 15
Devices Research Conference
1957
10 16
Europe
1965
10 17
Europe
1971
10 18
Europe
1973
10 19
Europe Reservations and Expenses
1958
10 20
Exeter Attendees
1962
10 21
Gordon Conference
1977
10 22
Gustavius Adolphus
1975
10 23
International Conference on the Physics and Chemistry of Solid Surface Guest List
1969
10 24
Photo Identification for the International Conference on Semi-Conductors
1950
10 25
Japan, 1
1958
10 26
Japan, 2
1959
10 27
Japan
1966
10 28
Korea
1973
10 29
Kwajalein, Marshall Islands: Bell Laboratories Conference
1973
11 1
Lindau Attendees
1962
11 2
Lindau - Exeter
1962
11 3
Lindau
1965
11 4
Lindau
1968
11 5
Lindau Attendee List
1973
11 6
Lindau – Meeting of Nobel Prize Winners
1979
11 7
London Institute of Electrical Engineers
1959
11 8
London – 50th Meeting of the Naval Research Advisory Committee
1961
11 9
London
1974
11 10
Moscow
1968
11 11
Northwest Regional Energy Conference
1978
11 12
Paris
1975
11 13
Physics of Semiconductors Conference
1970
11 14
Pittsburg Convocation of Nobel Laureates
1981
11 15
Pittsburg Convocation of Nobel Laureates Photographs
1981
11 16
Portland, Oregon, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
May 27, 1968
11 17
Portland, Oregon, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
1968
11 18
Prague, (Czechoslovakia) Czech Republic
1960
11 19
Providence Conference on the Physics and Chemistry of Solid Surfaces
1964
11 20
Reading – First Trip
1950
11 21
Rochester Semiconductor Conference
1958
11 22
Russian Visits
1956-1963
11 23
Stockholm
1975
11 24
Solid State Seminar
1964-1965
11 25
Stuttgart
1964
11 26
Taipei
1973
11 27
Tehran
1965
11 28
Transistor Conferences
1948, 1950
11 29
Travel
1972-1973
11 30
Trip Expense Accounts
1948-1960
11 31
Versailles Conference
1975
11 32
Visiting Scientists Program in Physics
1959-1961
5: Experiments and Data
1929-1977
Box Folder
12 1
Α (Alpha) Particles
undated
12 2
Ana Data
1968
12 3
Ana Data
1969
12 4
Ana Data
1970
12 5
Apparatus
undated
12 6
Auxiliary Data and Calculation
undated
12 7
CaCl
undated
12 8
Circuit Problems
undated
12 9
Data Notes, 1
undated
12 10
Data Notes, 2
undated
12 11
Data Notes, 3
undated
12 12
Data, 4
undated
12 13
Data and Averages
undated
12 14
Data on EIM-activated membranes
1974
12 15
Data on EIM-activated membranes
July, 1971
12 16
Equations and Proofs
undated
12 17
Figures
undated
12 18
Figures and Tables
undated
12 19
Delta G versus Y
undated
12 20
J.A. Hornbeck and P.W Foy, "Ohmic Contacts as a Source of Reverse Saturation Currents in p-n Junctions," paper abstract
1952
12 21
Index Refraction
undated
12 22
Inductance, 1
undated
12 23
Inductance, 2
undated
12 24
KCl data
undated
12 25
KFl/KBr/(CH3)4HCl/NH4Cl
undated
12 26
K2SO4
undated
12 27
Lipids, 1
undated
12 28
Lipids, 2
undated
12 29
Microscopic Examination of the Copper-Cuprous Oxide Interface of Copper-Oxide Varistors, with Plates
undated
12 30
Miscellaneous Experiments
undated
12 31
NaCl
undated
12 32
Nerves
undated
12 33
Optical Constants of Ge Papers
undated
12 34
Optical Thickness
undated
12 35
Optical Thickness
undated
12 36
Patent Application number 11,165 (Continuation of Transistor)
undated
12 37
Patent Application Infra-Red Detectors and Recorder
1962
12 38
Patent Application
November 14, 1955
12 39
Patents 1 to 6
undated
12 40
Patents 1-7, 3-9 (Brattain- Bardeen)
undated
12 41
Patents 4-11, 5-12, 6-13 (Brattain – Bardeen)
undated
12 42
Patent – Three Electrode Circuit (John Bardeen and Walter Brattain)
1950
12 43
Insulators
undated
13 1
Progress Reports
1929
13 2
Notebook Inventories
undated
13 3
"The Results of a Study of the Current Voltage Characteristics of Cu2O Rectifier Unit"
1935
13 4
Rhodium Plating
undated
13 5
Germanium Etches
undated
13 6
Salt Bias
undated
13 7
Silicon
undated
13 8
Silicon n and k Data
undated
13 9
Silicon Rectifier
undated
13 10
Silicon Reports, etc.
undated
13 11
Theory of Semiconductors and Rectification
undated
13 12
Transmissions Through Thin Films
undated
13 13
"A Vacuum System for Vaporization of Metal Contacts onto Contact Oxide Varistors"
1937
13 14
Vapor Pressure
undated
13 15
Lab Notebooks
undated
45 2
Membrane Data Charts
1977
6: Honors, Awards, and Recognitions
1917-1989
Box Folder
13 16
Awards and Certificates
1953-1966
13 17
Defense Science Board
1966
13 18
Nobel Science Hall Dedication, Gustavus Adolphus College, Minnesota
1963
13 19
Washington Centennial Hall of Honor Catalog
1989
13 20
University of Oregon Alumnus of the Year Award
1976
13 21
University of Minnesota Honorary Doctor of Science Degree
1957
13 22
Nobel Prize Announcement
1956
13 23
Nobel Prize Ceremony Invitation
1956
13 24
Nobel Transistor Demonstration Materials
1956
13 25
Nobel Ceremony Activities
1956
13 26
Nobel Trip Expenses
1956
13 27
Nobel Laureates Dinner at White House
1962
13 28
Recognitions and Articles
1966-1981
13 29
Retirement, Bell Labs
1967
13 30
Correspondence with Sweden before and after Nobel Trip
1956 – 1957
13 31
Correspondence List for Nobel Congratulations
undated
13 32
Nobel Prize Congratulations and Clippings
1956
13 33
Nobel Prize Clippings and Anniversary Celebrations
1956-1982
13 34
Nobel Laureate Day Photo Album
1957
14 1
American Institute of Physics
1957
14 2
Awards
1925, 1953
14 3
Brain Life Research Foundation
1982
14 4
Federation of American Scientists
1959
14 5
Franklin Institute
1952
14 6
Franklin Institute - Stuart Ballantine Medal
1952
14 7
National Inventors Hall of Fame
1974-1975
14 8
Washington State Historical Society Hall of Honor
1981
14 9
Historical Library and Museum of Science and Technology
1957
14 10
International Conference on the Unity of the Sciences (ICUS)
1978-1981
14 11
ICUS & Reverend Sun Myung Moon
1975-1976
14 12
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Awards
1981
14 13
International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP)
1968-1973
14 14
International Union of Pure and Applied Physics 50th anniversary
1972
14 15
International Union of Pure and Applied Physics, General Information and Report of the General assembly
1963
14 16
International Union of Pure and Applied Physics
1965
14 17
USA National Committee of International Union of Pure and Applied Physics
1965-1969
14 18
Joint Center for Graduate Study Advisory Committee
1973
14 19
Land Grant College Dinner
1961
14 20
Museum of Science and Industry – Nobel
1980
14 21
National Academy of Sciences
1965-1971
14 22
National Academy of Sciences – Members Directory
1981
14 23
National Academy of Sciences Pamphlets
1970-1982
14 24
National Academy of Sciences
1974
14 25
National Academy of Sciences
1975 – 1977
14 26
National Academy of Sciences
1979
14 27
National Science Foundation
1980
14 28
Portland Rotary Club
1966
14 29
John Scott Medal clippings
1955
14 30
Semiconductor Equipment and Materials Institute (SEMI)
1977
14 31
Sigma Xi
1966-1970
15 1
Stoics 1
1966-1977
15 2
Stoics 2
1962-1966
15 3
Stoics 3
1962-1964
15 4
Walla Walla Chamber of Commerce Award - Clippings
1957
15 5
Bell Advancement
1964
15 6
Bell Telephone Laboratories Press Releases with Photographs
1954
15 7
Bell Laboratories Publications
1948-1983
15 8
Bell Laboratories News 1
1968-1982
15 9
Bell Laboratories News 2
1962-1975
15 10
Fortune
1958
15 11
Magazine Articles about Walter Brattain
1956-1968
15 12
Battelle Memorial Institute
1969-1972
15 13
Official Transcript Nobel Conference Proceedings – Shaping the Future
1971
15 14
Convocation of Nobel Laureates
1981
15 15
Nobel Announcement
1956
15 16
Nobel Dedication
1963
15 17
Nobel Laureates White House Dinner
1962
15 18
Nobel Photo – Prized Minds
undated
15 19
"Nobel Prize for Physics"
1956
15 20
Reproduction of Alfred Nobel's Signature
undated
15 21
Swedish Newspaper Clippings for Nobel Awards
1956
15 22
Alexander Dees De Sterio, Nobelpreistrager in Lindau
1964
15 23
Erich Bagge, Die Nobelpreistrager der Physik
1964
15 24
Alexander Dees De Sterio, Nobel fuhrte sie zusammen Begegnungun in Lindau, signed by Walter Brattain
1975
16 1
Scrapbook Album, Texas Instruments Dedication, Walter Brattain Honored Guest
1958
16 2-4
Scrapbooks, Retirement from Bell Labs, 3 Volumes
1967
45 3
Naval Research Advisory Committee certificate of membership
1960
45 4
Life magazine article: Nobel Winners at White House Dinner
1962
45 8
Diplomas, Certificates and Awards
1917-1984

3:  Reference Materials, 1860-1989Return to Top

6 linear feet

This series consists of science articles and subject files collected by Walter Brattain, reflecting his professional and personal interests. Some files also contain related correspondence.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
16 5
Robert E. Ackerman, "Report to National Academy of Sciences: Senior Scientist Exchange Program to the U.S.S.R.
undated
16 6
Artificial Heart Program
1966
16 7
Astronomy articles
1964-1967
16 8
Auroral Plasma Experimental Papers
1977
16 9
Basic Constants
undated
16 10
Hanford 200 Bev accelerator
1965-1970
16 11
"Bioelectric Control of Bioluminescence in the Dinoflagellate Noctiluca"
1965
16 12
C.G.B. Garrett, "Surface Thermodynamics"
undated
16 13
Benjamin Brown, Whitman College professor
1981
16 14
Tektronix, "A Practical Approach to Transistor and Vacuum Tube Amplifiers"
1967
16 15
"Conductance of the Sodium Channel in Mylinated Nerve Fibers with Modified Sodium Inactivation"
1976
16 16
"The Work Required to Remove an Electron from a Conducting Sphere"
undated
16 17
Cordiner Hall Acoustics
1965-1972
16 18
Copper Oxide Material
1969-1976
16 19
Student Dissent
1969
16 20
DNA
1961-1964
16 21
Drell Report – Arms Control
1977
16 22
"Drugs and Transport Processes"
undated
16 23
Earth Weighing Machine, including photograph
undated
17 1
Ecological Crises Readings
1965-1970
17 2
Ecology Copies
1975-1976
17 3
"The Electrical Activity of the Nervous System"
1964
17 4
Energy and Ecology, including notes by Brattain
1967-1975
17 5
Energy Per Bit
1970
17 6
Energy Policy
1977
17 7
Environment
1969-1973
17 8
Genetic Codes
undated
17 9
Germanium
1961-1966
17 10
Hodgkin – Huxley articles
1952
17 11
"Ion Transport Across the Lipid Membranes: A Critical Discussion of Mechanism in Selected Systems"
1972
17 12
"Ion Transport Through Excitability-Inducing Material (EIM) Channels in Lipid Bilayer Membranes"
1972
17 13
Karl Jansky—search for intelligent life, photographs of Bell Laboratories
undated
17 14
"Schottky's Theories of Dry Solid Rectifiers"
1944
17 15
Professor Sergey Kalashnikov, exchange visit to Walla Walla
1967
17 16
"Kinetic Characteristics of the Excitability- Inducing Material Channel in Oxidized Cholesterol and Brain Lipids Bilayer Membranes"
1975
17 17
"Kinetics of the Opening and Closing of Individual Excitability- Inducing Material Channel in a Lipid Bilayer"
1974
17 18
Benjamin Brown, A Little Astronomy pamphlet
1927
17 19
A. H. Madjid Articles – Crystals
1972
17 20
"The Logic of Measurement in Quantum Physics"
undated
17 21
Metallurgy
1948, 1970
17 22
"Molecular Model-Potentials: Combination of Atomic Boxes"
undated
17 23
Mueller and Rudin—Bimolecular Lipid Membranes
1962-1976
17 24
"The Nature of the Negative Resistance in Bimolecular Lipid Membranes Containing Excitability-Inducing Material"
1970
17 25
The Nature of Science
1976
17 26
National Geographic article: "Those Inventive Americans," including section on transistor
1970-1971
17 27
Pacific Science Center
1979-1980
17 28
Plate Tectonics
1961-1971
17 29
Research in Science Education
1978-1980
17 30
"Resting Potentials, Action Potentials, and Potassium Selectivity in Experimental Bimolecular Lipid Membrane"
1966, 1980-1981
17 31
Science Articles
1970-1973
17 32
Benjamin Brown, "Seeing Walla Walla First"
undated
17 33
Semiconductor Bibliography
1945
17 34
Solid-State Physics History
1979
17 35
"Stability of the Myelin Membrane"
1965
17 36
Benjamin Brown, "The State-line Earthquake at Milton and Walla Walla"
1936
17 37
Thermistor Bolometers
1946
17 38
Thermistor Reports
1947
17 39
Thermistor – High Speed
1946
17 40
Time Charts
undated
17 41
Tungsten
1925-1927
18 1
John Bardeen Biography of Walter Brattain
1989
18 2
Biographical and Bibliographical Information
1945-1981
18 3
Biography
undated
18 4
Current Biography – Who's News and Why
1957
18 5
New Book of Knowledge Articles (Biography & Discovery of the Transistor)
1947-1978
18 6
Who's Who Biography
1974-1981
18 7
Campbell Gay - story
undated
18 8
Foreign Clippings
1956-1971
18 9
Nobel Articles (not related to Brattain)
1978, undated
18 10
A Nobel Laureate and his Nobel Laureate Friends
1977
18 11
Personal News
1958
18 12
Post Nobel Articles about Brattain
1955-1960
18 13
Post – Nobel News
1961-1977
18 14
Post – Retirement Research and Opinions
1959-1979
18 15
Recent Visitors to the Laboratories
1955
18 16
Rock&Roll Regret
1980
18 17
Alumni Funds
1978-1979
18 18
Alumni Funds
1980
18 19
Drive for Brown Chair of Physics
1957
18 20
Faculty – Governing Boards Conference
1966
18 21
Four Horsemen Reunion
1974
18 22
Retirement to Whitman - Clippings
1967
18 23
Small College Promotion
1971
18 24
Tributes to Brown
1967
18 25
Trustees and Overseers
1968-1976
18 26
Whitman College Alumni Association Appreciation Awards
1980
18 27
"Whitman Scientists" – address by William Fairbank
1981
18 28
Why Whitman?
1958-1979
18 29
Amoy Club Rulebooks
1898, 1902
18 30
John Bardeen
1968
18 31
John Bardeen Biography, Encyclopedia Americana
1965
18 32
Brattain School article and photographs
undated
18 33
Harold Brown Inaugural Address
1969
18 34
Bulletin of the College of Engineering National Chiao Tung University
1971 – 1972
18 35
Census of Lane County Oregon
1860
18 36
Colleagues' Addresses
undated
18 37
College Related Clippings (not Whitman)
1952-1964
18 38
Electoral College
1969
18 39
"40 and 20 Years Ago in the Record"
1968
18 40
Harvard
1952, 1962
18 41
High School Students
1962
18 42
"History of Inventions"
undated
18 43
History of Physics Center
1971
18 44
International Project in the History of Solid State Physics
1983
18 45
Invitation to Help Fund an International Council for Scientific Development
1982
18 46
James Killian Address
1961
18 47
Key Reporter
1981
18 48
Miscellaneous Articles
1954-1980
18 49
Naval Research Reviews
1981
18 50
"Night of the One-Eyed Devils"
undated
18 51
China Tour and Presentation
1979
18 52
Recruiting
1955
18 53
The Science Fair Story of Electronics
1983
18 54
Scientific Source Materials: A Note on Their Preservation
1963
18 55
Scientists Obituaries
1960-1981
18 56
A Selection of Manuscript Collection at American Repositories
1969
18 57
Maria Stern Transcript
1974
18 58
"Time" Article on Invention
1960
18 59
University of Minnesota Clippings
1957-1977
18 60
University of Oregon
1976
18 61
Walla Walla Chamber of Commerce
1956-1961
18 62
The Widening Circle
1958
18 63
William Jewell College
1977-1979
19 1
The Transistor: Selected Reference Material on Characteristics and Applications
1951
19 2
"Transistron = Transistor Plus?"
1950
19 3
Education and Science Articles
1974-1978
19 4
Technology Review
1981-1982
19 5
Vacuum Tubes
1915-1920
19 6
Ling Wei Articles
1972-1973
19 7
Bell Telephone Laboratories, Electron Tubes and Varistors
undated
19 8
National Academy of Sciences
1964-1982
19 9
The White House
1979
19 10
Register of Ph.D. Degrees, University of Minnesota, 1888-1938
1939
19 11
P.J. Boddy Articles
1966, undated
19 12
Physics Today Special Issue: John Bardeen
1992
19 13
C.J. Davisson and L.H. Germer articles
1922-1928
19 14
Translated Articles
1938-1964
19 15
Neils Bohr Articles
1963
19 16
Materials Submitted to Franklin Mint Researcher
1982
19 17
Lillian Hartmann Hoddeson Essays
1978-1980
19 18
Reprinted Science Articles
1921-1967
19 19
Physics Today – 50 Years of Physics in America
1981
19 20
Moran School Pamphlets
1914-1920
19 21
Bell Laboratories Record
1938, 1941, 1983
19 22
Benjamin Brown – Oersted Medal
1937-1950
19 23-24
Benjamin Brown Fund
1956 – 1977
20 1
Bell Telephone System Technical Publications
1925-1938
20 2
International Union of Pure and Applied Physics newsletters
1967-1968
20 3
Science: American Association for the Advancement of Science
1976-1977
20 4
Clippings from Scientific Magazines
1967-1981
20 5
Scientific Pamphlets
1930-1976
20 6
Adventures in Experimental Physics, vol. 5
1976
20 7
Electronics: Special Commemorative Issue, vol. 53, no. 9
1980
20 8
10th International Conference on the Physics of Semiconductors, Extended Abstracts
1970
20 9
C.L. Peterson, "Properties of Linear Active Four-Poles: Applications to Transistors"
1948
20 10
NBC Television Network, "The Story of Continental Classroom"
undated
20 11
Bell Telephone Laboratories, "Some Contributions to Transistor Electronics"
1949
20 12
Congers Herring and M.H. Nichols, "Thermionic Emission"
undated
20 13
Cinquante Ans Avec Le Progres, copy specially printed for Walter Brattain
undated
20 14
"Lectures on Statistical Mechanics"
undated
20 15-17
Collected Stoic Papers, Volumes XVIII, XIX, AND XX
1951-1961
20 18
Scientific Publications
1976-1983
21 1
Bell Telephone System Monographs
1946-1965
21 2
Hunger in the World, Resolution Signed by Nobel Winners
1981
21 3
"The Science Fair Story of Electronics," Radio Shack Educational Comic Book
1982
21 4
"Transistors: Fundamentals for the Integrated-Circuit Engineer"
1983
21 5
"Progress in Electronics" envelopes and stamps, first day of issue
1973
21 6
Walla Walla League of Women Voters publications
1962-1974
21 7
Historical Clippings
undated
21 8
Clippings about Walter Brattain
1956-1987, undated
21 9-11
Whitman College Alumni/Faculty Files on Walter Brattain
1955-1987, undated

4:  Photographs, 1920-1981Return to Top

1.7 linear feet

Photographs document Walter Brattain's activities as a student, teacher, and scientist.

Container(s) Description Dates
1: Glass Lantern Slides
1956, undated
Box Folder
22 1-11
Electronic Schematics
undated
22 12-22
Nobel Ceremony
1956
22 23-24
Graphs and Geological Illustrations
undated
2: Prints and Negatives
1920-1981
Box Folder
23 1
Portraits of Walter Brattain – small prints
undated
23 2
Portraits of Walter Brattain – large prints
undated
23 3
Portraits of Walter Brattain - negatives
undated
23 4
Four Horsemen of Physics: Walter Brattain, Walker Bleakney, Vladimir Rojansky, and E.J. Workman
1924-1974, undated
24 1
College Scenes
1920-1976, undated
24 2
Whitman College
1920-1978, undated
24 3
Teaching and Lectures
1955-1973, undated
25 1
Laboratory Scenes
1929-1979, undated
25 2
Time, Inc. Photographs of Walter Brattain
1964
25 3
Transistor Invention
undated
25 4
Nobel Award Ceremony
1956
26 1
Awards and Celebrations
1971-1981, undated
26 2
Conferences
1950-1979, undated
27 1
Naval Research Advisory Committee
1961-1967
27 2
Gatherings and Colleagues
1960-1981, undated
45 7
Photographs and Posters of Walter Brattain and Collaborators at Bell Telephones
undated

5:  Audio and Video Recordings, 1960-1979, undatedReturn to Top

1.8 linear feet

Recordings include interviews and presentations about Walter Brattain, as well as other materials collected by him.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
28
Vinyl Recordings – Oral Reminiscences of Nobel Ceremony
undated
28
2 Tape Cassettes – Walker Bleakney Retirement Dinner
1969
28
Tape Cassette – Visit with Leonard Woodcock
1979
28
Tape Cassette – Escape From Russia (1917), A Personal Account by Vladimir Rojansky
February 1972
28
Tape Cassette – George Castille Lecture
undated
28
Videocassette – "To Communicate is the Beginning"
undated
28
2 Videocassettes – Walter Brattain, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
1978
28
Reel-to-Reel Tape: "Interview with the Inventors of the Transistor," transcript included
undated
28
16 mm Film – National News: "Impact of Transistor – 25 Years!"
undated
28
16 mm Film – Science World: "Silver Anniversary for Transistors!"
undated
29
Film Roll and Pamphlets – "Walter Brattain on Semiconductor Physics"
undated
47
Unprocessed audiovisual records
.5 linear feet (1 box)
circa 1960 - 1972

6:  Medals and Artifacts, 1924-1987Return to Top

5.7 linear feet

Recordings include interviews and presentations about Walter Brattain, as well as other materials collected by him.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
30
Nobel Prize Personal Diploma
1956
30
Dictionary of International Biography Illustrated Plaque
1979
30
Wooden Plaque – Photographs of Walter Brattain, Walker Bleakney, E.J. Workman, and Vladimir B. Rojansky
1924-1974
30
Naval Weapons Center Advisory Board Plaque
1967-1968
30
Seattle World's Fair Bell Telephone Exhibit
1962
30
National Academy of Sciences Centennial Medal
1963
30
National Classical Music Institute Medallion, South Korea
1973
30
Seoul National University Wooden Medallion
undated
30
Seoul High School Visit Cloth Banner
1973
30
National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges Medal
1987
30
50 Years of Electronics Commemorative Coin Plaque
1980
30
Columbia University World War II – For Participation in the Work of the Division of War Research (metal plaque)
undated
31
Sigma Pi Sigma National Physics Honor Society Membership Certificate, William Jewell College
1979
31
Certificate of Life Membership in the Telephone Pioneers of America
undated
31
Sigma Pi Sigma Honorary Membership Plaque
1979
32
"Cernunnos," by Holly Sweeney (made out of semiconductor equipment and materials)
1977
33
One of the First Radium Tubes for Inserting in Cancerous Tissue
undated
33
Pieces of Experiment Element (piece of "yellowcake" removed November 2008 and given to faculty member of Whitman College
undated
33
Transmitter
undated
46
John Scott Medal
1954
46
Nobel Prize Medal
1956

7:  Family Histories, 1911, undatedReturn to Top

0.2 linear feet

This series includes genealogical and historical information gathered about the Brattain and Houser families.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
34 1
Brattain Family History
undated
34 2
Brattain Family Genealogy
undated
34 3
"Journal of the Oregon Trail" by Lafayette Spencer, mentions Paul Brattain
undated
34 4
Agnes McCalley Brattain's Story
undated
34 5
Frances Brattain Worthington's Story
undated
34 6
Spokesman-Review article about Houser family flour mill at Colville
1911

8:  Correspondence, 1896-1987Return to Top

1.8 linear feet

Family correspondence has been sorted by family member, encompassing both incoming and outgoing letters. Some overlap exists with correspondence between family members, which has been filed under the sender's name when possible. Emma Jane, Keren, Ross and Ottilie, and Walter Brattain are major correspondents in this series.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
34 7
From Agnes Brattain to Family
1920-1942
34 8
From Emma Jane to Walter Brattain
1960-1961
34 9
From Emma Jane to Walter Brattain
1962
34 10
From Emma Jane to Walter Brattain
1963-1965
34 11
Cards and Letters to Emma Jane Brattain
1962-1979
34 12-13
Cards and Letters to Emma Jane Brattain re: Walter Brattain's Death
1987
34 14
From Keren to Walter Brattain
1934-1935
34 15
From Keren Brattain to Family
1935-1939
34 16
From Keren Brattain to Family
1940-1949
34 17
From Keren Brattain to Family
1950-1953
34 18
To Keren Brattain from Family
1921-1938
34 19
Ottilie Brattain: Outgoing Correspondence (From China)
1896, 1901-1902
34 20
Ottilie Brattain: Outgoing Correspondence
1905-1910
34 21
Ottilie Brattain: Outgoing Correspondence
1913-1919
34 22
Ottilie Brattain: Outgoing Correspondence
1925, 1928-1929
34 23
Ottilie Brattain: Outgoing Correspondence
1942, 1954-1957
35 1
Ross Brattain: Outgoing Correspondence (From China)
Ross Brattain: Outgoing Correspondence (From China)
35 2
Ross Brattain: Outgoing Correspondence
1904-1921
35 3
Ross Brattain: Outgoing Correspondence (From China)
1924
35 4
Ross Brattain: Outgoing Correspondence
1926-1947
35 5
Ross Brattain: Outgoing Correspondence (From Orogrande, Idaho)
1942-1956
35 6
Ross Brattain: Outgoing Correspondence (From Mercer Island)
1942-1960
35 7
Ross and Ottilie Brattain: General Correspondence (In China)
1902
35 8
Ross and Ottilie Brattain: Incoming Correspondence
1901-1904
35 9
Ross and Ottilie Brattain: Incoming Correspondence
1905-1906
35 10
Ross and Ottilie Brattain: Incoming Correspondence
1907-1908
35 11
Ross and Ottilie Brattain: Incoming Correspondence
1909-1910
35 12
Ross and Ottilie Brattain: Incoming Correspondence
1911-1915
35 13
Ross and Ottilie Brattain: Incoming Correspondence
1916-1927
35 14
Ross and Ottilie Brattain: Incoming Correspondence
1928-1935, 1956
35 15
From Walter Brattain to Family
1915-1923
35 16
From Walter Brattain to Family
1926-1928
35 17
From Walter Brattain to Family
1929-1934
35 18
From Walter Brattain to Family
1935-1942
35 19
From Walter to Keren Brattain
1934-1935, 1939
35 20
From Walter to Ottilie Brattain re: Transistor
1948
35 21
Walter Brattain Personal Correspondence
1922-1957, undated
35 22
Correspondence re: Walter Brattain and Emma Jane Miller Wedding
1958
35 23
Letters from Brattain Relatives
1903-1941

Series 9.:  Family Personal Papers, 1897-1989Return to Top

0.8 linear feet

Personal papers include writings and other documents generated or collected by Emma Jane, Ross, and other family members.

Container(s) Description Dates
1: Emma Jane Brattain
1946-1989
Box Folder
36 1
Advertisements and Ephemera
1946-1964, undated
36 2
Alaska Trip
1976
36 3
Booklets and Calendars
1952-1984, undated
36 4
Fifty-Year-Plus News Research Files
1988-1989
36 5
Rogers Walla Walla Canning Company/ Country Gardens Inc. Records
1966-1967
36 6
Roland Miller Papers
1951-1954
36 7
Walla Walla Symphony Society
1973 - 1976
2: Ross Brattain
1901-1985
Box Folder
36 8
Spokane High School Class Roll
undated
36 9
Marriage Certificate of Ross and Ottilie Brattain
1901
36 10
Chinese Consul Appointment
1902-1906
36 11
Stock Certificates
1905-1912
36 12
Orogrande Mine Records
1942-1957
36 13
Writings and Reminiscences
1958-1985, undated
36 14
Family History Research
undated
36 15
Wagon Wheel Blood, typed manuscript
undated
36 16
Wagon Wheel Blood, excerpts and corrections
undated
36 17
Wagon Wheel Blood, corrected manuscript
1979
36 18
Wagon Wheel Blood, part one
undated
36 19
Wagon Wheel Blood, part two
undated
3: Other
1897-1964
Box Folder
36 20
Brattain Family Quit-Claim Deeds and Land Patents
1916-1936
36 21
Ottilie Houser, Whitman College report card
1897
36 22
Walter Brattain, Selective Service Notices of Classification
1942-1943
36 23
Planners and Notes
1951-1964

10:  Photographs, 1900-1904, 1950-1979, undatedReturn to Top

2.6 linear feet

Glass lantern slides document vivid scenes of daily life in China, including people, boats, temples, and landscapes. These slides were probably taken during Ross and Ottilie Brattain's time as missionaries there from 1901 to 1904. Prints and negatives include images of Brattain family members and travel scenes.

Container(s) Description Dates
1: Glass Lantern Slides
circa 1901-1904
Box Folder
37 40
140 Glass Lantern Slides
circa 1901-1904
2: Prints and Negatives
1900-1904, 1950-1979, undated
Box Folder
41 1
Portraits
undated
41 2
Photo Album Pages
undated
42
Travel and Leisure
1950-1979, undated
Folder
43 1
Family History Research
1900, undated
43 2
R. Robert Brattain Photographs
1901-1902, undated
43 3
Ross Brattain Photographs
undated
43 4
Negatives
undated
44 4
11 Glass Plate Negatives – China
circa 1901-1904
45 5
Sports Team Photographs
1901

11:  Artifacts and Clippings, 1901-1990Return to Top

2 linear feet

This series includes clippings about the Brattain family. A flour sack from the Tonasket Mill rounds out the series.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
45 6
Tonasket Mill Flour Sack
undated
36 24
Clippings: The Brattain Family
1901-1975
36 25
Clippings: Walter Brattain's Death
1987
36 26
Emma Jane Brattain: Memorial Service and Obituary
1990

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Personal Names

  • Bleakney, Walker
  • Brattain, , R. Robert
  • Brattain, Agnes
  • Brattain, Emma Jane Miller
  • Brattain, Keren
  • Brattain, Ottilie
  • Brattain, Ross R.
  • Brattain, Walter H. (Walter Houser)
  • Brattain, William
  • Rojansky, Vladimir

Corporate Names

  • Bell Telephone Laboratories
  • Bell Telephone Laboratories