Description
Papers of Victor Wouk (1919-2005). Electrical engineer. After graduating from Caltech (PhD 1942), Wouk devoted himself largely
to the development of hybrid and electric motor vehicles. The range of his activities is wide, and he has consulted for several
institutions and the government on a variety of issues. His papers consist of 70 boxes and include correspondence, publications
(print and manuscript versions), lectures and seminars, and expert witness testimonies.
Background
Victor Wouk was born in the South Bronx, in New York City, in 1919. After completing elementary school, he entered Townsend
Harris High School—described by Wouk as "unequivocally elitist"—from which he gained a strong interest in science and mathematics.
This interest continued upon entering Columbia University in 1935, though in his junior year, after becoming fascinated by
the new medium of television, he decided to specialize in electrical engineering. Receiving his bachelor's degree from Columbia
(1939), Wouk then traveled to the West Coast, and specifically the California Institute of Technology for his master's (1940)
and doctoral degrees (1942). There, with its new state-of-the-art high voltage laboratory, Wouk's interest in and skill at
electrical engineering blossomed.
Restrictions
Copyright may not have been assigned to the California Institute of Technology Archives. All requests for permission to publish
or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Caltech Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf
of the California Institute of Technology Archives as the owner of the physical items and, unless explicitly stated otherwise,
is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.
Availability
The collection is open for research. Researchers must apply in writing for access.