Finding Aid for John Bardeen Papers, 1910-2018 | University of Illinois Archives

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Collection Overview

Title: John Bardeen Papers, 1910-2018

ID: 11/10/20

Primary Creator: Bardeen, John (1908-1991)

Extent: 59.4 cubic feet

Arrangement: by type of material and chronologically thereunder

Subjects: Bardeen, John, Bell Laboratories, Electrical Engineering, Faculty Papers, Harvard University, John Bardeen, Many Body Theory, Naval Ordnance Laboratory, Nobel Prizes, Princeton University, Science and Technology, Solid State Physics, Superconductivity, Theoretical Physics, Transistors, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics - Science and Technology, University of Illinois Center for Advanced Study, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Xerography

Formats/Genres: Papers

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

Papers of John Bardeen (1908-91), Professor of Electrical Engineering and Physics (1951-91), include publications (1930-91), dissertations and theses by Bardeen students (1952-85), correspondence (1945-70, 1972-91) and reports, certificates and diplomas for honorary degrees and honors, preprints, reprints, drafts, speeches, notes, photographs, slides, tape recorded interviews, & motion pictures (1910-91) concerning theoretical physics, solid state physics, development of the transistor, xerography, development of the theory of superconductivity with J. R. Schrieffer & Leon Cooper, Bardeen's 1956 and 1972 Nobel prizes and lectures, the applications of transistors & superconductivity, many body theory, Russian & Chinese physics research, American Physical Society, Army Research Office, Bell Laboratories & the transistor (1936-68), Center for Advanced Study, International Union of Pure and Applied Physics, Naval Ordnance Laboratory, Navy Research Office, Sony Corporation, Supertex, Inc., White House Science Council (1979-83), Xerox Corporation, electrolytic transistor invention patents (1910-60), consulting work, and the Physics Department. Correspondents include Walter H. Brattain, P. W. Bridgman, Leon Cooper, Harry G. Drickamer, H. Frohlich, Nick Holonyak, Jr. (BS '50, MS '51, PhD '54), Charles Kittel, J. R. Schrieffer (MS '54, PhD '57), Karlheinz Seeger, Frederick Seitz, William B. Shockley, & J. H. Van Vleck. Tape recorded interviews contain comments on theoretical physicists, experimental physics, theory of superconductivity, many body theory, scientific publication, education, Dr. Charles Bardeen, solid state physics, considerations in coming to Illinois, recruitment of new faculty, scientific understanding & communication between & education of non-scientists & scientists. Motion pictures include a May, 1972 interview with Bardeen, and a December, 1972 Swedish film on the contributions of Bardeen, Cooper, and Schrieffer to the theory of superconductivity. Papers also contain Illiniwek cap.

Biographical Note

May 23, 1908 Born, Madison, Wisconsin - son of Medical School Dean Charles R. Bardeen and Althea Harmer

1923 University High and Madison Central

1928 B.S. Wisconsin, Electrical Engineering. Western Electric. Edward Bennett electrodynamics course

1929 M.S. Wisconsin, Electrical Engineering. J. H. Van Vleck

1930-33 Geophysicists, Gulf Research and Development Corporation - Leo J. Peters

1936 Ph.D. Princeton, Mathematics and Physics. E. P. Wigner

1935-38 Junior Fellow, Harvard. J. H. Van Vleck and P. W. Bridgman

1938 Married Jane Maxwell, July 18

1939-41 Assistant Professor of Physics, University of Minnesota

1941-45 Principal Physicist, U. S. Naval Ordnance Laboratory (Washington D.C.), magnetism and minesweeping

1945-51 Radar, Bell Telephone Laboratories, Murray Hill, New Jersey

1947 Surface physics - properties of contacts between metals of semi-conductors depend on electron behavior in surface energy levels

1948 Transistors with William B. Shockley and Walter Brattain. Point contact type

1951-75 Professor of Physics and Electrical Engineering, University of Illinois. Louis Ridenour. Xerox Corporation

1952 Transistor literature

March 1953 Fortune article on transistors

Theoretical understanding of semiconductors

Explained why metal-germanium contact gives effect of a PN junction in a emiconductor - in terms of surface energy states

1956 National Academy of Science member

1957 Theory of Superconductivity - vanishing of electrical resistance of some metals at low temperatures

1975 Professor Emeritus, University of Illinois

January 30, 1991 Died, Boston, Massachusetts

Research Areas:

Electrical conduction in semiconductors and metals; surface properties of semiconductors; theory of superconductivity; and diffusion of atoms in solids

Prizes and Honors:

1952 Ballantine Medal, Franklin Institute

1954 Buckley Prize (solid state)

1955 Scott Medal, D.Sc. Union

1956 Nobel Prize for Physics

1960 D.Sc. University of Wisconsin

1962 London Prize

1972 Nobel Prize for Physics

1974 D.Sc. University of Illinois

1977 Presidential Medal of Freedom

1987 Lomonosov Award, Soviet Academy of Sciences

1990 John Bardeen Chair in Physics and Electrical and Computer Engineering Established at University of Illinois

Subject/Index Terms

Bardeen, John
Bell Laboratories
Electrical Engineering
Faculty Papers
Harvard University
John Bardeen
Many Body Theory
Naval Ordnance Laboratory
Nobel Prizes
Princeton University
Science and Technology
Solid State Physics
Superconductivity
Theoretical Physics
Transistors
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics - Science and Technology
University of Illinois Center for Advanced Study
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Xerography

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: BIOGRAPHICAL],
[Series 2: PUBLICATIONS],
[Series 3: DISSERTATIONS (produced by Bardeen students)],
[Series 4: CORRESPONDENCE],
[Series 5: SUBJECT FILE],
[Series 6: MATERIALS FROM LILLIAN HODDESON],
[Series 7: CERTIFICATES, CITATIONS, AWARDS, AND HONORARY DEGREES],
[All]

Series 7: CERTIFICATES, CITATIONS, AWARDS, AND HONORARY DEGREES

Note: This material was donated to the Spurlock Museum by John Bardeen, and subsequently accessioned from the museum May 14, 2003. See oversize box 132 for oversize materials

Sub-Series 1: Awards

Box 131

Item 1: The Order of Lincoln from the Lincoln Academy of Illinois
Item 2: Zeta Psi Fraternity Certificate, October 1925
Item 3: American Physical Society Oliver E. Buckley Solid State Physics Prize, January 29, 1954
Item 4: American Academy of Arts and Sciences Membership Certificate, May 13, 1957
Item 5: Center for Advanced Study Membership Certificate, September 1, 1959
Item 6: Etta Kappa Nu Association Membership Certificate, March 29, 1962
Item 7
Item 8: American Society for Testing and Materials, February 3, 1964
Item 9: Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Letters Honorary Membership, May 9, 1970
Item 10: University of Illinois Board of Trustees Distinguished Service Award, December 20, 1972
Item 11: National Inventors Hall of Fame Certificate of Induction, February 10, 1974
Item 12: Omicron Delta Kappa Membership Certificate, May 5, 1974
Item 13: Pahlavi Lecture Series Commemorative Certificate, December 1, 1975
Item 14: Phi Kappa Phi Membership Certificate, 1976
Item 15: Alexander Von Humboldt Award, 1977
Item 16: University of Illinois Distinguished Service Medallion Award, May 21, 1978
Item 17: Golden Key National Honor Society Honorary Member, March 3, 1982
Item 18: Insitute of Electical and Electronics Engineers IEEE Centennial Medal, 1984
Item 19: State of Illinois House of Representative Resolution No. 1370 Honoring John Bardeen, May 10, 1988
Item 20: University of Notre Dame Introduction of John Bardeen at Commencement
Item 21: Union College Doctor of Science Diploma, Letter from President, and Booklet "Union Worthies: Charles Proteus Steinmetz," 1955
Item 22: University of Wisconsin Commencement Program, 1960
Item 23: News clippings Concerning Honorary Degree, June 6, 1960
Item 24: Western Reserve University Doctor of Science Diploma, Commencement Program, 1966
Item 25: Rose Polytechnic Institute Diploma, Commencement Program, June 1966
Item 26: University of Glasgow Graduation Ceremony Programs, June 21, 1967
Item 27: Princeton University Commencement Program and article "A Commentary on Princeton Commencement, June 11, 1968
Item 28: Michelson Morley Award at Case Western Reserve University
Item 29: ` Morley News clippings, 1968
Item 30: Morely Correspondence, Award Dinner, Program, 1968
Item 31: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Commencement Program, Doctor of Science Diploma, 1969
Item 32: Busch Reising Museum Dinner for Honorary Degree Recipients, June 8, 1973
Item 33: Harvard University Commencement Program, Correspondence, June 14, 1973
Item 34: University of Minnesota Honorary Doctor of Science Diploma, Commencement Program, Script, December 12, 1973
Item 35: University of Michigan Honorary Doctor of Science Diploma, Commencement Program, Correspondence, 1974
Item 36: University of Illinois Honorary Doctor of Science, May 19, 1974
Item 37: University of Pennsylvania Commencement Program, Guest List, Citation from Board of Trustees for Honorary Degree, May 28, 1976
Item 38: Indian Institute of Technology Honorary Doctor of Science Diploma, 1977
Item 39: University of Cambridge Speeches of the Orator at Presentation of Recipients of Honorary Degree, June 10, 1977
Item 40: University of Illinois Commencement 1978 News Clippings and Correspondence - John Bardeen receives Honorary Degree and Distinguished Service Award, 1978
Item 41: Georgetown University 108th Annual Commencement Program and Diploma, May 27, 1979
Item 42: University of St. Andrews Laureation Address, July 7, 1980
Item 43: Clarkson College of Technology Honorary Doctor of Science Diploma, Commencement Program, May 17, 1981
Item 44: Soviet Academy of Sciences Diploma Translation, September 1982
Item 45: Hungary Academy of Sciences Honorary Degree, 1986
Item 46: University of Wisconsin Honorary Doctor of Science diploma and citation, 1960

Sub-Series 2: Correspondence, News Clippings Concerning Awards

Box 131

Item 1: Hiromi Arisawa Congratulatory Card (Japan Academy)
Item 2: L.D. Landau Institute Letter to John Bardeen on 80th Birthday
Item 3: Haloid Company to John Bardeen, November 26, 1956
Item 4: Lincoln Academy of Illinois Convocation and Installation of Members - Newspaper Clippings Concerning and Program, February 1965
Item 5: National Medal of Science Award Press Release and Remarks of President, 1965-1966
Item 6: Commemorative Envelope: "Progress in Electronics", July 10, 1973
Item 7: Franklin Institute Medal Award Correspondence and News Clippings, 1975
Item 8: Presidential Proclamation: National Inventors' Day, Jnauary 30, 1979
Item 9: Art Buchwald, May 29, 1979
Item 10: Letter from President George Bush, October 4, 1989
Item 11: Life Magazine: 100 Most Important Americans of the 20th Century, 1990

Sub-Series 3: Oversize Certificates, Citations, Awards and Dimplomas

Box 132 (OS)

Item 1: Praeses Concilium Et Sodales Regalis Societatis Londini
Item 2: Society of the Sigma Xi Membership, January 1929
Item 3: Franklin Institute Stuart Ballantine Medal, October 1952
Item 4: City of Philadelphia John Scott Meal and Premium, September 17, 1954
Item 5: American Philosophical Society Fellow, April 1958
Item 6: President's Science Advisory Committee, 1959
Item 7: American Academy of Arts and Sciences Fellow, May 13, 1959
Item 8: The Fritz London Award to John Bardeen September 1962
Item 9: Vincent Bendix Award, 1964
Item 10: National Medal of Science, 1965: Includes oversize photograph of John Bardeen and Lyndon Johnson stored in oversize box OS-30.
Item 11: State of Illinois Appointment Laureate Lincoln Academy, 1966
Item 12: Symposium in Honor of John Bardeen's 60th Birthday, May 23, 1968
Item 13: University of Pennsylvania Moore School of Electrical Engineering Harold Pinder Award, November 11, 1968
Item 14: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Medal of Honor, November 10, 1970
Item 15: Xerox Corporation Certificate of Achievement, November 27, 1972
Item 16: Xerox Corporation Resolution Honoring John Bardeen, May 16, 1974
Item 17: Institute of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers, January 7, 1977
Item 18: Le Academia de Ciencias Fisicas, Matematicas y Naturales, June 1978
Item 19: Institute of Electircal and Electronics Engineers Honorary Member, January 1, 1981
Item 20: Osterreichische Akademie Der Wissenschaften, May 20, 1985
Item 21: Honorary Degrees
Item 22: National Academy of Sciences Diploma, April 27, 1954
Item 23: University of Glasgow Honorary Degree Diploma, 1967
Item 24: Princeton University Honorary Degree Diploma, 1968
Item 25: Universitatis Dominae Nostra a Laru Honorary Degree Diploma, 1970
Item 26: Honorary Doctor of Science Degree Diploma, 1973
Item 27: University of Pennsylvania Honorary Degree Diploma, 1976
Item 28: University of Delhi Honorary Degree Diploma and Special Convocation, January 1977
Item 29: Collegium Georgiopolitanum, 1979
Item 30: University of St. Andrews Honorary Degree Diploma, 1980
Item 31: Harvard University Honorary Degree Diploma, 1973

Box 133 (OS)

Item 1: University of Delhi Honorary Degree Diploma and Special Convocation, January 1977
Item 2: University of Glasgow Honorary Degree Diploma, 1967
Item 3: Princeton University Honorary Degree Diploma, 1968
Item 4: Collegium Georgiopolitanum, 1979
Item 5: National Academy of Sciences Diploma, April 27, 1954
Item 6: Universitatis Dominae Nostra a Laru Honorary Degree Diploma, 1970
Item 7: University of St. Andrews Honorary Degree Diploma, 1980
Item 8: University of Pennsylvania Honorary Degree Diploma, 1976

Box 134 (OS)

Item 1: Praeses Concilium Et Sodales Regalis Societatis Londini
Item 2: Society of the Sigma Xi Membership, January 1929
Item 3: Franklin Institute Stuart Ballantine Medal, October 1952
Item 4: City of Philadelphia John Scott Meal and Premium, September 17, 1954
Item 5: American Philosophical Society Fellow, April 1958
Item 6: American Academy of Arts and Sciences Fellow, May 13, 1959
Item 7: President's Science Advisory Committee, 1959
Item 8: The Fritz London Award to John Bardeen September 1962
Item 9: Vincent Bendix Award, 1964
Item 10: National Medal of Science, 1965
Item 11: State of Illinois Appointment Laureate Lincoln Academy, 1966
Item 12: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Medal of Honor, November 10, 1970
Item 13: Xerox Corporation Certificate of Achievement, November 27, 1972
Item 14: National Inventors Hall of Fame Certificate of Induction, February 10, 1974
Item 15: Xerox Corporation Resolution Honoring John Bardeen, May 16, 1974
Item 16: Institute of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers, January 7, 1977
Item 17: La Academia de Ciencias Fisicas, Matematicas y Naturales, June 1978
Item 18: Institute of Electircal and Electronics Engineers Honorary Member, January 1, 1981
Item 19: Institute if Electrical and Electronic Engineers Centennial Medal, 1984
Item 20: Osterreichische Akademie Der Wissenschaften, May 21, 1985
Item 21: University of Pennsylvania Moore School of Electrical Engineering Harold Pinder Award, November 11, 1988
Item 22: Symposium in Honor of John Bardeen's 60th Birthday, May 23, 1968