Collection ID: MS 1306

Collection context

Summary

Creator:
Conrad, Albert Godfrey, 1902-
Date:
1916-1993
Abstract:
The papers consist of office files from the first quarter-century of Albert G. Conrad's career as an instructor of electrical engineering at Yale and an autobiographical memoir. Materials include correspondence, writings, printed matter, photographs, and memorabilia, the latter including drawings, blueprints, charts, and a record of a speech by Conrad. The collection is especially rich in materials concerning life at Yale during World War II. The bulk of the papers concerns the Department of Electrical Engineering at Yale, during the chairmanships of Charles F. Scott (1920-1933), Robert E. Doherty (1933-1938), and Samuel W. Dudley (Acting Chairman, 1938-1943), and the beginning of Conrad's tenure as chairman. These papers document the department's administrative and financial affairs, and the research and testing conducted at Dunham Laboratory.
Extent:
2.25 Linear Feet
Language:
English

Background

Acquisition information:
Accession 1995-M-030 is the gift of W. Jack Cunningham, 1994. Transfer from Engineering and Applied Science Library, 2008.
Rules or conventions:
translation missing: en.enumerations.resource_finding_aid_description_rules.Finding aid created in accordance with Manuscripts and Archives Processing Manual
Scope and Content:

The Albert G. Conrad Papers consist of office files from the first quarter-century of his career as an instructor of electrical engineering at Yale. The papers have been arranged in a single alphabetical sequence; materials include correspondence, writings, printed matter, photographs and memorabilia, the latter including drawings, blueprints, charts, and a record of a speech by Conrad.

The bulk of the papers concerns the Department of Electrical Engineering at Yale, during the chairmanships of Charles F. Scott (1920-1933), Robert E. Doherty (1933-1938), and Samuel W. Dudley (Acting Chairman, 1938-1943), and the beginning of Conrad's tenure as chairman. These papers document the department's administrative and financial affairs, and the research and testing conducted at Dunham Laboratory. Much of Conrad's own research concerned electro-physiology, and particularly a treatment for athlete's foot involving electrolysis. There are also course materials, including early materials of some of Conrad's older colleagues at Yale, among them Charles F. Scott, Russell G. Warner and Archer E. Knowlton. One folder of material (in box 5), concerning student evaluations and grades, is restricted until 2018.

The collection is especially rich in materials concerning life at Yale during World War II. Conrad was chief of the Timothy Dwight Fire Fighting Squad, and saved a number of materials concerning this group and general air raid drills and defense measures at Yale, including printed matter produced by the New Haven Defense Council. The collection also contains papers concerning courses taught as part of the Engineering Defense Training Program, printed matter concerning student preparation for war service, and papers documenting Conrad's efforts to obtain surplus equipment for Dunham Laboratory after the war.

Other materials in the collection concern electrical engineering professional organizations, the manufacture of Timothy Dwight College paperweights and other artifacts, and the estate of Charles F. Scott. The provenance of the papers is unknown.

For further papers concerning Conrad and the Department of Electrical Engineering during this period, readers should consult the School of Engineering Records, YRG 23, especially Series II, and the Charles Felton Scott Papers, MS #779.

Biographical / Historical:

Albert Godfrey Conrad was born on May 19, 1902, in Norwalk, Ohio. He received a B.A. degree from Ohio State University for electrical engineering in 1925 and a M.S. degree in 1927. He was an instructor of electrical engineering at Yale University from 1928-1931, an assistant professor from 1931-1940, an associate professor from 1940-1944, and a professor from 1944-1962. Conrad was dean of the College of Engineering, University of California at Santa Barbara, from 1962-1970, and emeritus dean from 1970-. Conrad died on September 13, 1990, in Santa Barbara, California.

Date Event
1902 Born in Norwalk, Ohio, the son of Godfrey and Margaret (Moroney) Conrad
1921 Principal, Gratis High School, Ohio
1922 Instructor, Wheelersburg High School, Ohio
1925 Received Bachelor of Electrical Engineering degree, Ohio State University
1927 Received M.S. degree, Ohio State Univeristy
1927 Worked for General Electric Company, Schenectady, N.Y.
1928 Instructor, electrical engineering, Yale University
1931 Received E.E. degree, Yale University
1931 Married Marion Finch
1931 Assistant professor, electrical engineering, Yale University
1938 Fellow of Timothy Dwight College, Yale University
1940 Associate professor
1943 Chairman, Department of Electrical Engineering, Yale University
1944 Professor
1954 Co-author, Alternating Current Machines
1960 Consulting editor, Encyclopedia of Science and Technology
1962 Dean, College of Engineering, University of California at Santa Barbara
1970 Dean emeritus

Access

LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
Sterling Memorial Library
Yale Campus
New Haven, CT, USA
CONTACT:
(203) 432-1735
mssa.assist@yale.edu