Collection is open for research research access. Special arrangements required to view materials in cold storage. Using cold room materials requires a three hour waiting period. Contact the Archives Center at 202-633-3270. Gloves must be worn when handling unprotected photographs and negatives.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
James Knights Co. Records, 1951-1981, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Cady, Walter Guyton, 1874-1973 (physicist) Search this
Source:
Electricity and Modern Physics, Division of, NMAH, SI. Search this
Former owner:
Electricity and Modern Physics, Division of, NMAH, SI. Search this
Extent:
22.5 Cubic feet (73 boxes)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Notebooks
Date:
1903-1974
Scope and Contents:
Consists chiefly of Cady's research notebooks on various subjects in physics and a considerable technical reprint file; some records of Cady's consultant work and patents granted.
Arrangement:
Divided into 11 series.
Series 1: Research Notebooks, 1896 1972
Series 2: Chapter Drafts for Piezoelectricity An Introduction To The Theory And Applications Of Electromechanical Phenomena In Crystals, 1945
Series 3: Technical Reprint Files, 1900s-1960s
Series 4: Walter G. Cady's Writings and Reviews, 1950s-1960s
Series 5: Consultant Work, 1931-1967
Series 6: Institute of Radio Engineers (IRE), 1945-1963
Series 7: Institute of Electric and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), 1932-1973
Series 8: Patent Records, 1914-1974
Series 9: Books, 1887-1960
Series 10: Miscellaneous, 1949-1973
Series 11: Card Indexes, 1940s-1960s.
Biographical / Historical:
Walter Guyton Cady (1874 1973) was born in Providence, Rhode Island. He graduated from Brown University (Bachelors 1895 and Masters 1897) and from the University of Berlin (Ph. D. Physics, 1900). Cady worked at a magnetic observatory of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey from 1900-1902. In 1902, Cady joined the faculty of Wesleyan University as a professor of physics where he remained until 1946. During WW I, Cady used piezoelectricity—electricity or electric polarity due to pressure especially in a crystalline substance as quartz—and underwater sound to make devices that would locate enemy submarines. From this work evolved the crystal resonator and oscillator. Piezoelectricity is utilized in microphones, phonograph pickups, and telephone communications systems.
During World War II, Cady worked on military applications of piezoelectricity. Among the applications were supersonic trainers for radar operators, which employed piezoelectric transducers in liquid tanks to generate realistic echoes on radar indicators. In 1946, Cady published a book titled Piezoelectricity An Introduction To The Theory And Applications Of Electromechanical Phenomena In Crystals, 1946. After his retirement in 1951 to Pasadena, California, Cady returned to Providence, Rhode Island in 1963 and was active in consulting work for industry and the Federal government. Cady was an active member of Institute of Radio Engineers (IRE), becoming a fellow of the institute in 1927 and receiving the Morris N. Liebmann Memorial Award in 1928. He also received the Dudell Medal from the Physics Society of Great Britain in 1936. Cady also served as an editor for the PROCEDDINGS OF IRE and as president of IRE, was Editor of the Physical Review from 1924-1926, a member of the national Research Committee, 1935-1938, and a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Cady's principal interests included the study of electrical discharges in gases, detection of wireless waves, piezoelectricity, ultrasonics, piezoelectric resonators and oscillators, and crystal devices.
Cady married Kathrin Olive Miller (1883-1909) and they had one son, Willoughby Miller Cady (1907-1953), also a physicist.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Cady, Walter Guyton, 1874-1973 (physicist) Search this
Collection Source:
Electricity and Modern Physics, Division of, NMAH, SI. Search this
Container:
Box 48, Folder 9
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1951-1956
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Walter Guyton Cady Papers, 1903-1974, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Committee on Piezoelectric and Ferroelectric Crystals
Collection Creator:
Cady, Walter Guyton, 1874-1973 (physicist) Search this
Collection Source:
Electricity and Modern Physics, Division of, NMAH, SI. Search this
Container:
Box 48, Folder 10
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1961-1964, 1966
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Walter Guyton Cady Papers, 1903-1974, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Committee on Piezoelectric and Ferroelectric Crystals
Collection Creator:
Cady, Walter Guyton, 1874-1973 (physicist) Search this
Collection Source:
Electricity and Modern Physics, Division of, NMAH, SI. Search this
Container:
Box 49, Folder 3
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1963
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Walter Guyton Cady Papers, 1903-1974, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Cady, Walter Guyton, 1874-1973 (physicist) Search this
Collection Source:
Electricity and Modern Physics, Division of, NMAH, SI. Search this
Container:
Box 49, Folder 7
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1972
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Walter Guyton Cady Papers, 1903-1974, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Cady, Walter Guyton, 1874-1973 (physicist) Search this
Collection Source:
Electricity and Modern Physics, Division of, NMAH, SI. Search this
Container:
Box 50, Folder 15
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1966
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Walter Guyton Cady Papers, 1903-1974, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Cady, Walter Guyton, 1874-1973 (physicist) Search this
Collection Source:
Electricity and Modern Physics, Division of, NMAH, SI. Search this
Container:
Box 45, Folder 4
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1966
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Walter Guyton Cady Papers, 1903-1974, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Cady, Walter Guyton, 1874-1973 (physicist) Search this
Collection Source:
Electricity and Modern Physics, Division of, NMAH, SI. Search this
Container:
Box 50, Folder 8
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1923
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Walter Guyton Cady Papers, 1903-1974, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Method of mounting piezoelectric resonators for the excitation of various overtones, 1#1,782,117
Collection Creator:
Cady, Walter Guyton, 1874-1973 (physicist) Search this
Collection Source:
Electricity and Modern Physics, Division of, NMAH, SI. Search this
Container:
Box 50, Folder 13
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
930
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Walter Guyton Cady Papers, 1903-1974, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Cady, Walter Guyton, 1874-1973 (physicist) Search this
Collection Source:
Electricity and Modern Physics, Division of, NMAH, SI. Search this
Container:
Box 50, Folder 18
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1939
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Walter Guyton Cady Papers, 1903-1974, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Piezoelectric vibrators and systems embodying the same for converting the mechanical vibration thereof into electric energy, #3,371,234
Collection Creator:
Cady, Walter Guyton, 1874-1973 (physicist) Search this
Collection Source:
Electricity and Modern Physics, Division of, NMAH, SI. Search this
Container:
Box 50, Folder 20
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1968
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Walter Guyton Cady Papers, 1903-1974, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Cady, Walter Guyton, 1874-1973 (physicist) Search this
Collection Source:
Electricity and Modern Physics, Division of, NMAH, SI. Search this
Container:
Box 50, Folder 21
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
968
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Walter Guyton Cady Papers, 1903-1974, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Cady, Walter Guyton, 1874-1973 (physicist) Search this
Collection Source:
Electricity and Modern Physics, Division of, NMAH, SI. Search this
Container:
Box 50, Folder 22
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1969
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Walter Guyton Cady Papers, 1903-1974, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Improvements in or relating to means for mounting piezoelectric crystals, 1#260,609 (United Kingdom)
Collection Creator:
Cady, Walter Guyton, 1874-1973 (physicist) Search this
Collection Source:
Electricity and Modern Physics, Division of, NMAH, SI. Search this
Container:
Box 50, Folder 23
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
927
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Walter Guyton Cady Papers, 1903-1974, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Cady, Walter Guyton, 1874-1973 (physicist) Search this
Collection Source:
Electricity and Modern Physics, Division of, NMAH, SI. Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1887-1960
Scope and Contents:
This series includes five books on the subject of piezoelectricity. The books are in Czech, French, and German.
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Walter Guyton Cady Papers, 1903-1974, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Q-Z, (many on piezoelectric, quartz crystals, etc.) alphabetical by author; Dems., color Demonstrations: description of experiments colloids showing scientific principles; liquids, sound, optics, magnetism, electricity. Alphabetical by subject and author
Collection Creator:
Cady, Walter Guyton, 1874-1973 (physicist) Search this
Collection Source:
Electricity and Modern Physics, Division of, NMAH, SI. Search this
Container:
Box 53, Folder Unknown
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1940 1960
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Walter Guyton Cady Papers, 1903-1974, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Notebook X, Earliest piezoelectric observations in Schenectady, primitive transducers of quartz and Rochelle salt, toggle receiver, submarine detection, and first attempt at piezo-oscillator
Collection Creator:
Cady, Walter Guyton, 1874-1973 (physicist) Search this
Collection Source:
Electricity and Modern Physics, Division of, NMAH, SI. Search this
Container:
Box 4, Folder 7
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1917-1919
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Walter Guyton Cady Papers, 1903-1974, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Notebook BA, Polarization, charge, and displacement theories of Rochelle salt, space charge, transducer theory, beginning of piezoelectric receiver theory and PN and L-cut crystals
Collection Creator:
Cady, Walter Guyton, 1874-1973 (physicist) Search this
Collection Source:
Electricity and Modern Physics, Division of, NMAH, SI. Search this
Container:
Box 5, Folder 3
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1945-1946
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Walter Guyton Cady Papers, 1903-1974, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Notebook DJ, Double piezoelectric resonator, thickness transducer, and plate with detuned backing
Collection Creator:
Cady, Walter Guyton, 1874-1973 (physicist) Search this
Collection Source:
Electricity and Modern Physics, Division of, NMAH, SI. Search this
Container:
Box 11, Folder 1
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1955-1956
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Walter Guyton Cady Papers, 1903-1974, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
