Winkler (Richard) papers, 1944-1977

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Summary

Title:
Richard Winkler papers
Dates:
1944-1977
Abstract:
The Richard Winkler papers contain technical reports and papers, subject files, memos, journal articles, and newspaper clippings. Ranging in date from 1944 to 1977, many of the materials pertain to the history of semiconductors, transistors, and vacuum tubes. The papers document Winkler's studies and work at Stanford University in the Electronics Research Laboratory and the Microwave Laboratory, as well as his work at various technology companies including Cascade Research Corporation, General Electric, Zenith, Shockley Semiconductor, Clevite Corporation, ITT Semiconductor, and Amelco Semiconductor (a Teledyne company). The collection also holds subject and research files that contain technical reports and papers, clippings from academic journals, newspaper clippings, and catalogs.
Extent:
6.25 Linear feet, 5 record cartons
Language:
Preferred citation:

[Identification of Item], [Date], Richard Winkler papers, Lot X8440.2018, Box [#], Computer History Museum.

Background

Scope and content:

The Richard Winkler papers, ranging in date from 1944 to 1977, contain technical reports and papers, subject files, memos, journal articles, and newspaper clippings, many of which pertain to the history of semiconductors, transistors, and vacuum tubes. The papers can be divided into two parts: materials that document Winkler's professional work and research files on technical subjects. The professional materials document Winkler's studies and work at Stanford University in the Electronics Research Laboratory and the Microwave Laboratory, and include course materials, lecture notes, and technical papers and reports, some of which are by Winkler. There are also records from various companies where Winkler worked, including Cascade Research Corporation, General Electric, Zenith, Shockley Semiconductor, Clevite Corporation, ITT Semiconductor, and Amelco Semiconductor (a Teledyne company). Types of records include employee directories, memos, reports, correspondence, and newspaper clippings. The other portion of the collection is made up of subject and research files. These files are generally collections of technical reports and papers, clippings from academic journals, newspaper clippings, and catalogs. This portion of the collection includes information on a range of topics, such as metals and alloys, circuits, semiconductors, chemistry, vacuum tubes, field-effect transistors (FET), travelling wave tubes (TWT), servo mechanisms, and vacuum tube design and construction.

Biographical / historical:

Richard Winkler is an engineer who has worked at Stanford University as well as a number of important electronics firms in Silicon Valley. Winkler studied electrical engineering at Stanford University, graduating with a BS in electrical engineering in 1948. He also earned two graduate degrees in electrical engineering from Stanford, completing them in 1953. While at Stanford, he worked on microwave tubes and high-power klystrons at the Electronics Research Laboratory and the Microwave Laboratory. After Stanford, Winkler worked for Cascade Research Corporation, General Electric, and Zenith Radio Research, where he worked in production engineering. He joined Shockley Transistor Corporation in the early 1960s, staying with Shockley as it was purchased by first Clevite Corporation and then ITT Corporation. Later, he worked for Teledyne (Amelco) Semiconductor, after which he co-founded Spectrotherm Corporation, where he worked until 1975. Winkler has six patents from his work in the 50s, 60s, and early 70s. In the late 1970s, Winkler began teaching at the University of San Francisco and Saint Mary's College, focusing on finance, marketing, business organization, and operations management.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Sandra Winkler, 2018.
Processing information:

Collection surveyed by Sydney Gulbronson Olson, 2018.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid prepared by Sydney Gulbronson Olson
Date Prepared:
August 2018
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2018-08-09T14:06-0700

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research. However, the collection may require review by CHM staff before viewing.

Terms of access:

The Computer History Museum (CHM) can only claim physical ownership of the collection. Users are responsible for satisfying any claims of the copyright holder. Requests for copying and permission to publish, quote, or reproduce any portion of the Computer History Museum's collection must be obtained jointly from both the copyright holder (if applicable) and the Computer History Museum.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of Item], [Date], Richard Winkler papers, Lot X8440.2018, Box [#], Computer History Museum.

Location of this collection:
1401 Shoreline Blvd.
Mountain View, CA 94043, US
Contact:
(650) 810-1010
research@computerhistory.org
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