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Bernard M. Oliver Oral History Interview
SCM0111
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Call Number: SCM0111
Creator:
Oliver, Bernard M., 1916-
Title: Bernard M. Oliver oral history interview
Dates: 1985-1986
Physical Description:
0.02 Linear feet (1 folder)
Summary: Transcript of an interview conducted by Arthur L. Norberg covering Oliver's early life, his education, and work experiences
at Bell Laboratories and Hewlett-Packard. Subjects include television research, radar, information theory, organizational
climate and objectives at both companies, Hewlett-Packard's associations with Stanford University, and Oliver's association
with William Hewlett and David Packard.
Language(s): The materials are in English.
Repository:
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
Green Library
557 Escondido Mall
Stanford, CA 94305-6064
Email: specialcollections@stanford.edu
Phone: (650) 725-1022
URL: http://library.stanford.edu/spc
Reproduction is prohibited.
All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from, or otherwise use collection materials must be submitted in writing to the
Head of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, California 94304-6064. Consent
is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission
from the copyright owner. Such permission must be obtained from the copyright owner, heir(s) or assigns. See: http://library.stanford.edu/depts/spc/pubserv/permissions.html.
Restrictions also apply to digital representations of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research
and educational purposes.
Bernard M. Oliver Oral History Interview (SCM0111). Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University
Libraries, Stanford, Calif.
Biographical/Historical Sketch
Oliver earned his a.b. in engineering at Stanford University in 1935, studying with Frederick Terman. After graduate work
at the California Institute of Technology, he joined Bell Laboratories. In 1950 He joined the Hewlett-Packard company as director
of research.
The interview covers Oliiver' s early life, education, and work experiences at Bell Laboratories and Hewlett-Packard. Oliver
began his formal education at Cal ifornia Institute of Technology at the age of fifteen and transferred to Stanford University
for his junior and senior years to study electrical engineering with Frederick Terman. There he became associated with William
Hewlett and David Packard. After receiving his degree in 1935 he returned to California Institute of Technology for graduate
work, from which he joined Bell Laboratories in 1939. His initial assignment there was in the television research group under
Axel Hansen. During World War II he worked at Bell on radar. Later he continued his work in television technology and worked
with Claude Shannon on information theory. He discusses the organizational climate and objectives at Bell Laboratories in
the 1940s and compares it to Hewlett-Packard, which he joined in 1950 as Director of Research. Many aspects of Hewlett-Packard
are discussed: vertical integration, distribution of projects, company structure, competitors, associations with Stanford
University, mil itary contracts, and recruiting issues. Oliver concludes the interview by discussing his associations with
William Hewlett, David Pac kard, and others at Hewlett-Packard Corporation.
Bell Telephone Laboratories.
Hewlett Packard Company
Hewlett, William R.
Hewlett, William R.
Norberg, Arthur L.
Norberg, Arthur L.
Oliver, Bernard M., 1916-
Packard, David, 1912-1996
Terman, Frederick Emmons, 1900-1982
Information theory.
Oral histories.
Radar.
Television--Research.