Walter G. Cady papers

Collection

Identifier: 1999-076

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Walter G. Cady Papers consists of pamphlets, correspondence, newspaper clippings, photographs, research notes, miscellaneous notebooks, technical reprint files, academic journals, patent papers, awards/certificates, personal correspondence, newspaper articles, published material, and 1 copy of “Piezoelectricity, an introduction to the Theory and Applications of Electromechanical Phenomena in Crystals in two volumes” (Vol. 1 and 2) by Walter Guyton Cady (New Revised Edition) (Dover Publications inc, 1964)

Dates

Creation: 1896-1974

Creator

Cady, Walter G. (Walter Guyton), 1874-1974 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright for official University records is held by Wesleyan University; all other copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Biographical / Historical

Walter Guyton Cady (December 10, 1874 – December 9, 1974) was an American physicist, electrical engineer, inventor, teacher, and pioneer in the field of piezoelectricity, dealing with electrical responses generated by certain material via application of mechanical stress. Walter G. Cady was the first to develop a quartz crystal oscillator, used to create extremely precise frequencies that have many applications, the widest spread being its use in time keeping. Walter Cady made the first direct international comparison of frequency standards by comparing his quartz resonators with frequency standards in Italy, France, England, and the United States and was president of the Institute of Radio Engineers in 1932. During both World Wars Cady also worked on military applications of piezoelectric principles. Cady held more than 50 patents and won both the 1928 IEEE Morris N. Liebmann Memorial Award and the Duddell Medal and Prize of the Physical Society of London in 1936. He received honorary degrees from Brown University in 1938, and from Wesleyan in 1958. His papers are also archived at the Smithsonian Institution and the Rhode Island Historical Society.

Extent

2 Linear Feet (4 hollinger boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Personal notes, correspondence, photos, pamphlets and books of scientist Walter G. Cady.

Arrangement

The collection is organized into 3 series, with 2 subseries. Series I: Pamphlets, Subseries IA: Learn by Radio; Series II: Miscellaneous items, including the hard copies of books and photographs and Series III: Correspondence, Subseries IIIA: On the Occassion of Walter G. Cady’s 100th Birthday.