Series 1: Correspondence
1916-1978
Scope and Content
The series consists of personal and professional correspondence of Louis Byrne Slichter. Most of the professional correspondence
in this series deals with routine administrative matters, such as expenses and personnel. Some, however pertains to Slichter's
continuing interest in commercial mineral prospecting and his dealings with mining and oil companies. Files may contain both
incoming and outgoing correspondence for a given year. In many cases, however, especially in corresponding with members of
his family, Slichter did not retain copies of his own letters.
Correspondence is arranged chronologically, as this reflects the original arrangement of the bulk of the correspondence. In
instances where Slichter created files for correspondence from selected individuals, those files were retained and are arranged
alphabetically by the surname of the correspondent.
Slichter also filed correspondence with other material associated with a given subject or project. The South Pole project
files, for example, contain correspondence from project staff members at the South Pole, and correspondence for scientists
working on an associated polar gravity study in Alaska.
Box 1, Folders 1-5
General correspondence
1916-1929
Scope and Content
Most of the early correspondence in the collection is between Louis B. Slichter and his parents. Three letters from 1916 relate
to personal and family matters. Material from 1917, however begins to document Slichter's scientific pursuits. Slichter was
commissioned in the Navy in 1917 and was employed by Professor Max Mason at the US Naval Experimental Station in New London,
CT. Throughout the period, he comments on the war, life in the Navy, his personal and professional associations, and the project
itself. None of the letters appear to have been subjected to censorship. On November 11, 1918, he sends his parents a letter
from U.S. Naval Base #27 in Plymouth, England describing reaction to the signing of the armistice.
Upon his return to the US, Slichter was hospitalized for mumps, and there are numerous letters to his family detailing his
hospital stay. Slichter was discharged from the Navy in September 1919, and proceeded to Philadelphia, where he writes about
his work in the Navy Yard advising on the building and installation of the array on ships. In 1922-1923, many letters concern
Slichter's continued interest in naval technology. Several letters to and from the Submarine Signal Company of Boston discuss
the possibility of Slichter's working for the firm. Most of the letters from 1922-1923 detail family matters including Slichter's
wedding.
Much of the material from 1924-1929 pertains to family matters. There are several letters from Brownlee Gauld, who at this
time was a partner in the consulting firm of Mason, Slichter and Gauld. Most of the material having to do with the partnership,
including correspondence, is in the Mason and Slichter series.
Box 1, Folder 6
General correspondence - Family correspondence
circa 1920-1929
Scope and Content
Correspondence to Slichter and his wife Martha, from Slichter's mother. The material was filed by Slichter as a group, and
this filing system has been retained.
Box 1, Folder 7
General correspondence
circa 1920-1929
Scope and Content
Correspondence mainly from Slichter's parents.
Box 1, Folders 9-15, 18-22
General correspondence
1930-1959
Scope and Content
The bulk of Louis B. Slichter's professional and scientific correspondence dates from after 1930. Early correspondence from
1930 documents Slichter's search for an academic position, which he ultimately secured at MIT Even though Mason, Slichter
and Gauld was not Slichter's principal employer at the time, there is some material having to do with the activities of the
firm. In a 1931 letter to Slichter, Wisconsin Governor Philip F. La Folette expresses his disappointment that Slichter has
elected to assume a post at MIT rather than remain in Wisconsin. Correspondence from 1933 contains a significant amount of
material detailing the arrangements for Slichter's experiment to measure the conductivity of the earth. The letters deal with
Slichter's efforts to secure the cooperation of the Edison Electric Illuminating Company of Boston, the New England Power
Company, and the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company. Slichter used power lines from these utilities to transmit and
measure an electrical current through the earth's crust.
Much of the correspondence from the 1930s is from Slichter's parents, and describes their many trips to places around the
US, and sometimes abroad. A letter from Slichter's father from Dublin, dated September 4, 1939 alludes to the difficulty of
securing passage back to the US because of the outbreak of war between the Allies and Germany the previous day.
Correspondence after 1945 reflects a wide variety of Slichter's interests and activities, including his publications, his
comments and advice on others' publications, his patents, scientific instruments, computing, consulting work with mining a
oil companies, prospecting techniques, meetings and symposia. Correspondents include Waldemar Lindgren, Perry Byerly, Beno
Gutenberg, Chaim Pekeris.
Box 1, Folder 16
Family Correspondence
1941-1960
Scope and Content
Later family correspondence mostly from Slichter to his wife Martha.
Box 1, Folder 17
Correspondence - Geophysics article
1951
Scope and Content
Correspondence regarding "An Electromagnetic Interpretation Problem in Geophysics."
Box 1, Folder 23
Correspondence log
1960-1961
Scope and Content
A log of letters written and telephone calls placed, presumably by Slichter. The log begins on November 8,1960 and ends on
October 26, 1961. It is unclear if the log corresponds to the letters in Slichter's files.
Box 2, Folder 1
Publication correspondence
1960-1961
Scope and Content
Correspondence concerning a variety of articles and papers submitted by Slichter to various publications.
Box 2, Folders 2-20
General correspondence
1960-1972
Scope and Content
Consists of mostly administrative correspondence of Louis B. Slichter with individuals, commercial firms, learned societies,
and academic institutions. Subjects include nuclear power; overpopulation; gravity measurements, including South Pole measurements;
mineral prospecting, conferences, and projects conducted by other scientists and institutions. On December 1966, Slichter
discusses with the science advisor to the United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV) techniques for detecting
shallow tunnels.
Box 3, Folder 1
General correspondence
1972-1977
Scope and Content
Material includes letters documenting Slichter's election to the Explorers' Club, personal letters from friends, letters from
colleagues describing their own work on gravity, computing, and other projects of interest to Slichter, and soliciting his
reactions.
Correspondents include Warren Weaver, Walter Munk, and Mark Ingraham, who was writing a biography of Charles S. Slichter,
father of Louis B. Slichter.
Box 3, Folder 2
Correspondence - Festschrift
1964
Scope and Content
One folder from 1964 consisting of correspondence pertaining to a festschrift produced in Slichter's honor, titled, "Papers
in Geophysics in Honor of Louis B. Slichter." A festschrift is a book honoring a respected person, especially an academic,
and presented during their lifetime.
Box 3, Folders 3-5
American Geophysical Union
1960-1962
Scope and Content
Slichter was president of the Union's Section on Tectonophysics in 1961-1962. Correspondence primarily concerns administrative
issues associated with the Union, such as awards of medals; membership and publications. Also included are several reports
concerning international scientific exchange, and the International Upper Mantle Committee.
Box 3, Folder 6
Bear Creek Mining Company
1955-1960
Scope and Content
Letters mostly regarding a general exchange of information (maps, papers, etc.), having to do with mineral deposits in the
western United States; also, accommodation at UCLA of students from the Colorado School of Mines whose research at UCLA was
funded by Bear Creek Mining.
Box 3, Folder 7
Belshe, John C.
1963-1964
Scope and Content
Letters and memos concerning Belshe's appointment as Associate Research Physicist at UCLA. Belshe worked on the Marine Gravity
Project, and some of this correspondence may be duplicated in the Gravity Projects Files series.
Box 3, Folder 8
Bernard, David
1975-1976
Scope and Content
Material primarily concerns Bernard's employment by the Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics. The file also contains
a handwritten letter by Slichter proposing an experiment with a pendulum, with Slichter's hand drawn schematics of the equipment
for the experiment.
Box 3, Folders 9-10
Caputo, Michele
1960-1976
Scope and Content
Part of the correspondence is in reference to a paper, called Deformation of an Earth-Model by Surface Pressures, co-authored
by Caputo and Slichter. Much of the subsequent correspondence concerns the exchange of academic papers and both men's research
into gravitational anomalies and gravity measurements.
Box 3, Folder 11
Cheh, Pan
1968
Scope and Content
Letters and papers by Cheh, a researcher into tectonic movements. Cheh was a student of Slichter's protege Leon Knopoff.
Box 3, Folder 12
Groten, Erwin
1973-1974
Scope and Content
Groten was a professor at the Technische Hochschule in Darmstadt, Germany. The correspondence concerns Slichter's data on
residual tidal gravity readings at the South Pole. Included is a paper co-authored by Groten and J. Brennecke entitled "Global
Interaction between Earth and Sea Tides."
Box 3, Folder 13
Elementary school students' tour
1973
Scope and Content
Letters from schoolchildren thanking Slichter and Clarence Hager for a tour of the UCLA Physics Department and a slide show
of the station at the South Pole.
Box 3, Folder 14
Fisher, Robert L.
1963-1969
Scope and Content
Fisher was an official of the Scripps Institute of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego. The correspondence
primarily concerns the marine gravity readings taken during sea voyages in the early 1960s.
Box 3, Folder 15
Goodkind, John
1976, undated
Scope and Content
Goodkind was a professor of Physics at the University of California, San Diego. Subjects include barometric reading at the
South Pole, personnel matters.
Box 1, Folder 16
Griggs, David T. - Festschrift
1971-1974
Scope and Content
Correspondence relating to a tribute to UCLA geologist David T. Griggs (1911-1974).
Box 3, Folder 17
Harrison, John C. (Chris)
1963-1972
Scope and Content
Harrison was a research scientist employed by Hughes Research Laboratories, and later the University of Colorado. Letters
concern the oceanic gravity project and computing.
Box 3, Folder 18
Haubrich, Richard A.
1974
Scope and Content
Three letters from Slichter to Haubrich about Slichter's paper "Long Period Earth Tides"
Box 3, Folder 19
Herring, Conyers
1972-1973
Scope and Content
Herring was a professor of physics at Stanford University. Much of the correspondence has to do with reports of a body called
the "Statistical Data Panel," which appears to have been affiliated with the National Research Council.
Box 3, Folder 20
International Nickel Company (Canadian Nickel)
1961
Scope and Content
Letters between Slichter and the firm regarding prospecting equipment and methods, and equipment, methods, and calculations
employed by the firm of Mason, Slichter and Gauld in the 1930s.
Box 3, Folder 21
Jackson, Bernard V.
1973-1975
Scope and Content
Jackson was a planetary physicist employed by Cornell University at the Arecibo Telescope in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. Letters
concern calculations on marine and polar gravity.
Box 3, Folder 22
Jobert, N.
1963-1964
Scope and Content
Jobert was a professor at the Faculte des Sciences, Institut de Physique du Globe. Letters, in English, concern earth tide
measurements. Also included is a proof, in French, of an untitled paper by Jobert.
Box 3, Folder 23
Knopoff, Leon
1969-1973
Scope and Content
Memos and letters from Knopoff to Slichter, usually regarding Knopoff's work or administrative matters of the UCLA Institute
of Geophysics and Planetary Physics. Knopoff succeeded W. E. F. Libby as Director of the Institute.
Box 3, Folder 24
Knudsen, Vernon
1973-1974
Scope and Content
Letters and notes regarding a tribute to Knudsen upon his death in 1974.
Box 3, Folder 25
Kraut, Edgar A.
1958
Scope and Content
Correspondence and notes pertaining to the placement of seismographs in the Mediterranean region.
Box 3, Folder 26
Kuo, John T.
1972-1974
Scope and Content
Kuo was a professor at the Henry Krumb School of Mines at Columbia University, New York City, New York. Subjects include earth
tides, and briefly, computing.
Box 3, Folder 27
LaCoste, Lucien
1973-1976
Scope and Content
Correspondence and notes regarding the design of a gravity meter.
Box 3, Folder 28
Lahr, H. Ray
1971
Scope and Content
Letter to Slichter, and one to Leon Knopoff, regarding general matters relating to geophysics.
Box 3, Folder 29
Larson, Jerome V.
1970-1973
Scope and Content
Larson was employed by Maryland Instrumentation, and the letters have to do with the sale and use of the firm's equipment
at the South Pole and elsewhere.
Box 3, Folder 30
Lennon, G.W.
1970
Scope and Content
Lennon was affiliated with the Institute of Oceanography and Tides, Bidston Observatory, Birkenhead, England. The subjects
of letters are gravity and earth tides.
Box 3, Folder 31
Libby, W.F.
1964-1969
Scope and Content
Libby was Slichter's immediate successor as the Director of the Institute for Geophysics and Planetary Physics. Most of the
correspondence has to do with administrative matters of the Institute.
Box 3, Folder 33
McGraw-Hill Book Company
1958-1959
Scope and Content
Correspondence regarding Slichter's contributions to the Encyclopedia of Science and Technology.
Box 3, Folder 34
McTague, Jack
1962
Scope and Content
McTague was a lawyer with the Canadian firm of Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt. The letters concern a possible lawsuit over prospecting
techniques or equipment employed by Mason, Slichter and Gauld in the 1920s.
Box 3, Folder 36
Munk, Walter
1972-1973
Scope and Content
Subjects include earth tides at the South Pole. Materials include translations of letters from Professor Igor V. Maximov of
Leningrad, USSR. Maximov's academic affiliation is not given.
Box 3, Folders 37-41
National Academy of Sciences
1960-1966
Scope and Content
Correspondence, memos and papers regarding primarily administrative matters associated with the National Science Foundation
(NSF). Slichter was Chairman of the NSF Section on Geophysics during this period. Specific subjects include conferences, membership,
and publications.
Box 15, Folder 2
National Science Foundation
1978 Novermber 14
Scope and Content
Richard C. Atkinson writes to Martha Slichter to inform her that the United States Board on Geographic Names named an antarctive
promontory the Slichter Foreland. With the letter is an aerial photograph of the Slichter Foreland.
Box 3, Folders 42-43
New Jersey Zinc Company
1945, 1947-1960
Scope and Content
Correspondence regarding prospecting techniques and equipment.
Box 3, Folder 44
Nestvold, E. O.
1964
Scope and Content
Nestvold was employed by the Shell Development Company Exploration and Production Research Division of Houston, Texas. The
correspondence concerns interpretation of various kinds of geophysical data.
Box 4, Folder 1
Observatoire Royale de Belgique
1964-1975
Scope and Content
Most of the letters are to or from Paul Melchior, Chef de Department of the observatory. Subjects include Slichter's research
on earth tides and associated seismological phenomena. Some letters are in French.
Box 4, Folder 2
Podmore, Francis
1970-1971
Scope and Content
Podmore was a physicist at the University College of Rhodesia (present-day Zimbabwe). Subjects include earth tides and computing.
Box 4, Folder 3
Pomerantz, Martin
1971-1975
Scope and Content
Pomerantz was director of the Bartol Research Institute of the Franklin Institute, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. The primary subject
of the correspondence is Slichter's use of the Bartol Institute's barometric reading at the South Pole in conjunction with
his own earth tides research.
Box 4, Folder 4
Potapenko, G.
1939
Scope and Content
The subject of the correspondence is prospecting, done for a firm called the Texas Company. Potapenko was a scientist at Cal
Tech who was involved with the research associated with the prospecting. The file includes letters from several persons, aside
from Slichter and Potapenko, regarding scientific and legal matters connected to the prospecting and commercial development
of the area in question.
Box 4, Folder 5
Radio Televisione Italiana (RAI)
1967
Scope and Content
Letters concerning an educational documentary made by Italian television. Included in the file is a paper by Preton E. Cloud.
Box 4, Folder 6
Robinson, Edwin S.
1975
Scope and Content
Correspondence and papers concerning Robinson's research on ocean tides beneath the Ross Ice Shelf
Box 4, Folder 7
Rosenbach, Otto
1971-1974
Scope and Content
The correspondence is mostly of a personal nature, and concerns Rosenbach's visits to UCLA.
Box 4, Folders 8-10
Sargis, Sam (Samson)
1934-1969
Scope and Content
Correspondence from a longtime commercial associate of Slichter. Sargis was involved in commercial prospecting, and had been
employed or was associated with Mason, Slichter and Gauld. He later worked for the Geneva Steel Company of Geneva, Utah as
Supervisor of Raw Materials, and as a consultant for various mining companies. The subject matter of the files is various
aspects of mineral prospecting, and the material includes photos, maps, and magnetic resonance readouts. Other Sargis correspondence
appears in the general correspondence files, particularly from the 1930s, and in the Mason, Slichter and Gauld series.
Box 4, Folder 11
Shockley, William
1968-1969
Scope and Content
The file contains only one letter of Slichter to Shockley, complimenting Shockley on a lecture he gave regarding the heritability
of intelligence, and an electromagnetic problem the two men had discussed. The remainder of the material consists of copies
of letters by Shockley, clippings, and press releases pertaining to the heritability of intelligence, and social problems
attributed to persons of lesser intelligence.
Box 4, Folder 12
Sokolnikoff, Ivan
1960, 1967
Scope and Content
Sokolnikoff was a mathematician at UCLA. The letters are mostly of a personal nature, with some reference to matters pertaining
to UCLA.
Box 4, Folder 13
Sproul, Robert G.
1947-1957
Scope and Content
Sproul was President of UCLA. Most of the material has to do with administrative matters associated with the university, and
reports by Slichter of his activities. Early material deals with Slichter's acceptance of his appointment to UCLA.
Box 4, Folder 14
Syrstad, Erik
1972-1975
Scope and Content
Syrstad was associated with the University of Bergen, Norway, and appears to have been associated with Statoil, Norway's national
oil company. The correspondence generally deals with Syrstad's visits to UCLA.
Box 4, Folder 15
Uffen, Robert
1954-1956
Scope and Content
Uffen was a physicist at the University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada. The file is an exchange of letters between
Uffen and Leon Knopoff concerning the composition and temperatures of the earth's mantle. There is no Slichter material in
the file.
Box 4, Folders 16-17
Verhoogen, John
1964-1967
Scope and Content
Correspondence, reports and papers of Verhoogen, a geologist at UCLA. Much of the material is administrative.
Box 4, Folder 18
Vogel, Andreas
undated
Scope and Content
Correspondence regarding a visit by Vogel to UCLA. Vogel was affiliated with the University of Uppsala, Sweden.
Box 4, Folder 19
Weaver, Warren
1935-1970
Scope and Content
Weaver was a mathematician who had known Slichter since they were students at the University of Wisconsin. Weaver was employed
by Mason, Slichter and Hay, reporting on his research into electricity, and perhaps responding to specific queries from the
firm. Weaver served as Director of the Division of Natural Sciences at the Rockefeller Foundation (1932–55), and later in
various administrative capacities at the Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research. Most of the correspondence is personal.
Earlier letters to and from Weaver appear in the General Correspondence files. Included in this file are letters from Warren
Weaver's wife, Mary, to the Slichters.
Box 4, Folder 20
Weber, Joseph
1963-1969
Scope and Content
Weber was a professor of physics at the University of Maryland. The correspondence concerns Weber's gravity research.
Box 4, Folder 21
Willis, Cornelius
1946
Scope and Content
Willis was a geologist and engineer, and the General Partner in the Rio Hondo Company, an oil and gas exploration and drilling
company in which Slichter was also a partner. The file includes correspondence, contracts, and a report on the company's financial
condition in 1945.
Series 2: Mason and Slichter
1925-1961
Scope and Content
Mason and Slichter were partners in an engineering and prospecting consulting firm during 1920s and 1930s. The firm was usually
styled Mason, Slichter and Gauld, but on some occasions was styled Mason, Slichter and Hay. The other partners were, respectively,
Brownlee B. Gauld and Donald L. Hay, letters of whom also appear in the General Correspondence series. Employed by the firm
at various times were Warren Weaver and Sam Sargis. Weaver wrote theoretical reports for the firm; Sargis was a field representative
for the firm and was involved in prospecting and demonstrating equipment. Most of the material in the series has to do with
specific reports done by the firm for mining companies.
Box 4, Folders 22-24
Max Mason - Biographical material
1960-1961
Scope and Content
Assorted letters, papers, and memorials containing biographical details of the life of Max Mason (1877-1961). Mason had been
a protege of Charles S. Slichter, and a mentor to Louis B. Slichter. Letters written by and concerning Mason appear in the
General Correspondence series, principally in the years 1917-1919, when Mason directed antisubmarine warfare research in New
London, Connecticut, during WWI. Slichter served under him at New London. Mason and Slichter also worked on the scientific
aspects of antisubmarine warfare during WWII.
Box 4, Folders 25-26
Warren Weaver reports
1926-1927, circa 1930
Scope and Content
The reports concerning magnetism and electricity were submitted to Mason, Slichter & Hay.
Box 4, Folder 27
Mason, Slichter & Gauld negatives
1925
Scope and Content
From an envelope labeled, "DC Electrical prospecting -- 3 Negatives - Applied Potential Maps at Falconbridge -- Lundberg Results
in Sweden." The negatives are of a schematic drawing of drill holes, and maps.
Box 4, Folder 28
Report to Utah Iron Ore Corp.
1930-1934
Scope and Content
Report with maps and readouts of magnetometer surveys.
Box 4, Folders 29-32
Columbia Iron Mine
1932-1956
Scope and Content
Several reports done over a period of years for the Columbia Iron Mine. Only the earliest from November 1932 was submitted
by Mason, Slichter and Gauld. The material was filed together by Slichter and consists of magnetometer readings of areas in
Utah and California, reports of findings, and correspondence between Sargis and Slichter.
Box 4, Folder 33
Bull Valley magnetic computations
1936, undated
Scope and Content
Calculations and correspondence relating to a survey of Bull Valley, Utah.
Box 4, Folder 34
Iron Queen Mining Company
1951 May
Scope and Content
The file consists of a report to the company on a magnetic survey of the Eagle Mountain Claims, Riverside County, California.
By this time Mason, Slichter & Hay/Mason, Slichter & Gauld was defunct, but Slichter filed this report with the earlier material.
The file also includes printouts of readings, photos and maps.
Box 4, Folder 35
M.A. Hanna Company report
1929
Scope and Content
Report of a geophysical survey near Shepherd Mountain, Missouri. File includes maps.
Box 4, Folder 36
Hamilton Mine District report
1927
Scope and Content
The report is titled, "Physical Survey of Hamilton Mine District, Beaverhead Co. Montana." Includes maps. The client who commissioned
the report (if any) is not identified.
Series 3: Gravity Projects
1945-1976
Scope and Content
The series is arranged chronologically, and falls into two categories: Slichter's research on earth tides, gravitational movements
of the earth's crust, and marine gravity, measurements of gravity on the world's oceans. Slichter pursued these two areas
of research simultaneously, with marine gravity becoming a major project involving the Office of Naval Research and the Scripps
Oceanographic Institute.
Box 5, Folders 1-23
Gravity Projects
1945-1962
Scope and Content
About half of the material from this period concerns Slichters research regarding earth tides. Beginning in 1949, Slichter
becomes interested in a project to map the floor of the Pacific Ocean, and study undersea currents. Proposals for this project
seem to be the genesis of the Marine Gravity Project of the 1950s. Material includes correspondence on projects relating to
earthquakes and earth tides, data, and printouts of readings of earth tide measurements. Marine Gravity Project material includes
correspondence with the Office of Naval Research, which funded the study, correspondence with other scientists, notes on positioning
of ships and how to use equipment, tables and maps of where readings were taken, and memos regarding administrative matters.
Box 5, Folders 24-27
Office of Naval Research Marine Gravity
1962-1969
Scope and Content
Correspondence, memos, notes, and reports regarding an extension of the Marine Gravity Project begun in the 1950s. The project
measured gravity at selected places in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. The expanded project included the Indian Ocean. The
ships that were used for the surveys were R/V Horizon; USS Butternut; R/V Smith; R/V Baird; USS Gear; USS Rexburg; and R/V
Argo.
Box 5, Folders 28-41
Gravity Projects
1962-1966
Scope and Content
Most of the material has to do with the ongoing Marine Gravity Measurements Project, primarily in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
The material includes correspondence, sometimes from the research vessels, and with scientists and government officials; data
from the vessels; and reports of the teams who made the readings. Folder 38, entitled "Gravity-at-Sea Reports," gives a brief
synopsis of each period of the study from 1958 to 1962 and lists the ships used in the study (R/V Horizon; USS Butternut;
R/V Smith; R/V Baird; USS Gear; USS Rexburg; R/V Argo). Other material concerns earth tides, including research presented
at conferences by scientists other than Slichter.
Box 6, Folders 1-17
Gravity Projects
1967-1976
Scope and Content
Material from 1967 pertains to the Marine Gravity Project, and readings in the waters around Java and Sumatra. Most of the
material after 1967 pertains to Slichter's earth tides research, including correspondence and descriptions of instruments
used in the research. Also included are drafts of papers by Slichter, and a grant proposal to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
for research into gravity changes due to elevation changes. The project was to be conducted under the direction of Slichter
and Leon Knopoff.
Boxes 6-7; 15
Series 4: South Pole Project
1969-1984
Scope and Content
The South Pole Project was conducted by UCLA under the U.S. Antarctic Research Program. Gravimeters were installed at Amundsen-Scott
research station (in the collection, usually referred to as "South Pole station.") The gravimeters measured earth tides and
free vibrations triggered by earthquakes. This series include press released, equipment inventories, reports, rosters, correspondence
and photographs generated from the project. The arrangment of the series is roughly chronological. Most correspondence from
the South Pole itself dates from 1969 or later, and constitutes a separate chronology beginning in Box 7.
Box 6, Folder 18-35
Administrative files
1969-1971
Scope and Content
Material includes press releases, equipment inventories, personnel rosters, budgets, proposals, geophysical measurements.
Much of the material documents UCLA's collaboration with the National Science Foundation, which funded the project, and whose
Office of Polar Programs offered logistical support to the UCLA team. Four of the folders specifically detail equipment sent
to the South Pole for the project, and other files include information on gravimeters and other equipment.
Box 7 , Folder 1-19 , Box 8, Folder 1
South Pole correspondence
1969-1984
Scope and Content
Correspondence, including situation reports and cables, from staff at the South Pole Station. The majority of the subject
matter concerns equipment, including repairs and replacement parts. There is also information on the calibration of equipment.
Other topics include visitors to the station, staff problems stemming from isolation and boredom, news from home, interaction
with personnel from other countries, including the USSR.
Specific correspondents include Paul Rydelek, Erik Syrstad, Tadashi Yogi, Mike Jefferson Bernard (Bernie) Jackson, William
Smythe, Bob Countryman, Rick Morris.
Box 8, Folders 2-24
South Pole Files
1970-1982
Scope and Content
Inventories, equipment training manual, correspondence with Naval Support Service, National Science Foundation, budgets and
reports.
Box 8, Folders 25-35
Walter Zurn correspondence
1971-1976
Scope and Content
Zurn served at the South Pole Station as science manager from 1971-1972. He later conducted research in Alaska, and frequently
corresponded with Slichter during the 1970s. Slichter filed Zurn's correspondence with the South Pole material, even in instances
where the letters were postmarked from Alaska or Germany. The inclusion of all Zurn material in the South Pole series reflects
Slichter's own filing system.
Box 8, Folder 36
Gregg Vane Lecture and Slichter remarks
1975 January
Scope and Content
Flyer for a lecture given by Vane detailing his service at the Soviet Antarctic Station. Included are handwritten introductory
remarks by Slichter.
Box 15, Envelope 18-22
South Pole photographs
1970-1975
Scope and Content
Photos of Scott-Amundsen Station, and group photos of staff members, some taken at the South Pole, and one taken at UCLA.
Envelope 19 contains a postcard to Slichter from "Mike," and a contact sheet of snapshots of staff.
Series 5: Patents
1928-1967
Scope and Content
Patents, mostly of prospecting devices or techniques, and correspondence relating to the patents and Slichter's business relationship
with various divisions of Schlumberger, an international corporation in the business of oil exploration, drilling, and oil
company logistical support.
Box 8, Folder 37
Schlumberger Electrical Prospecting
1930-1934
Scope and Content
Correspondence with representatives of Schlumberger Electrical Prospecting Co., and photos of seismographs designed at MIT.
It is unclear if these are Slichter designs that Schlumberger wished to purchase, but Slichter had business dealings with
Schlumberger over a period of many years, and the firm was interested in his designs. This file appears in this series because
Slichter identified the material as pertaining to patents.
Box 8, Folder 38
Submarine Attack Detector patent
1967 March
Scope and Content
According to the letter of transmittal accompanying the patent, it was filed in 1948, and issued in 1967. Slichter held the
patent with Duncan J. Stewart and Edgar D. Lilja.
Box 8, Folders 39-40
Slichter patents
1928-1938
Scope and Content
Slichter patents, with correspondence, notes and calculations. Some of the correspondence is from Schlumberger.
Box 8, Folder 41
Schlumberger Well Surveying Corporation
1940-1946
Scope and Content
Correspondence and legal papers pertaining to royalties paid by Schlumberger to Slichter, Mason & Gauld, and Slichter's brother
Donald.
Box 8, Folder 42-43
Non-Slichter patents
1931-1936
Scope and Content
Patents of inventions by other persons. Some of the patents appear to be owned by Schlumberger.
Series 6: Scientific instruments files
1918-1974
Scope and Content
The Scientific instruments series includes notes, calculations, designs, drawings, and photographs by Slichter of equipment
that he created or built.
Box 9, Folders 1-13
Scientific instrument designs, specifications, and other materials
1924-1974
Scope and Content
Materials from 1924-1925 include drawings and correspondence relating to the Eotvos Torsion Balance, manufactured by the Gesellschaft
fur Praktische Geophysik M.B.H. of Freiburg, Germany. Mason, Slichter and Gauld was interested in employing the device for
ore prospecting. Materials from 1962-1970 include correspondence, notes, and specifications of the LaCoste Romberg Gravity
Meter, which was used by Slichter's South Pole project, as well as other projects directed by Slichter and Leon Knopoff. A
file from 1954 contains a report and photos by Varian Associates of Palo Alto, California detailing the use of an airborne
nuclear magnetometer for ore prospecting.
Box 15, Envelope 9-15
Photographs
1918-1970
Scope and Content
Photographs from 1918 may show the submarine detector array developed by Max Mason's team and tested by Slichter. The file
also contains photos of surrendered German U-Boats. Photos from 1930 show the tiltmeter designed by Slichter. Other photos
show instruments and models designed by others, including LaCoste and Romberg Earth Tide Meter #7 located at UCLA. Some of
the data from the device is included in the Geophysics series of this collection. The file also contains a sleeve of color
slides of unidentified instruments.
Box 9, Folders 14-21
Series 7: Computing files
1964-1975
Scope and Content
This series consists of program codes, manuals, memos and protocols for using the UC/UCLA computing system. The UCLA Institute
for Geophysics and Planetary Physics was an early user of computers to process data and measure geophysical phenomena using
statistical methods.
Box 9, Folders 22-34
Series 8: Prospecting files
1945-1966, undated
Scope and Content
This series includes theories and methods of prospecting, prospecting conference programs, and some correspondence with and
material created by companies involved in oil drilling and mineral mining. Information about prospecting equipment is in the
Scientific Instruments series. Papers and addresses by Slichter appear in the Writings series.
Series 9: Geophysics files
1931-1975
Scope and Content
This series contains material not connected to or identified with specific projects (e.g. gravity readings or South Pole)
or with commercial mineral prospecting. The material in this series pertains to the composition, density and structure of
the earth's crust, mantle and core, and characteristics of the nature and movement of seismic waves, and is composed of correspondence,
handwritten research notes, data and calculations, photographs, and a map.
Box 10, Folders 1-59, Box 9, Folders 35-40, Box 11, Folders 1-10
Correspondence, research notes, and other materials
1931-1975
Language of Material:
English
Scope and Content
Project files, such as correspondence, research notes, reports, data and calculations; pertaining to the composition, density,
and structure of the earth's crust, mantle, and core, as well as characteristics of the nature and movement of seismic waves.
Much of the material deals with research conducted by Slichter's protoge Leon Knopodd.
Box 15, Envelope 23
Photographs made by Lunar Orbiter
1967
Box 15, Envelope 17
Magnetishe Storunge uber Europa map
undated
Scope and Content
Oversize map, text in German. The title translated as "Magnetic Faults Across Europe."
Box 11, Folders 11-21
Series 10: Electromagnetism files
1953-1960, undated
Scope and Content
Slichter researched electromagnetism from his early career forward. This series consists of files he specifically identified
as pertaining to electromagnetism.
Box 11, Folders 22-25
Series 11: American Geophysical Union (AGU)
1961-1965
Scope and Content
Slichter was President of the Tectonophysics Section of the AGU from 1962 to 1964. The series contains material relating to
administrative matters, including correspondence, membership rosters, and meeting programs and minutes.
Box 11, Folders 26-33
Series 12: International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG)
1954-1967
Scope and Content
The series consists of reports and correspondence of the IUGG General Assemblies in Rome, Italy (1954) and Helsinki, Finland
(1960). One folder includes administrative material concerning the IUGG meeting at Berkeley, California in 1963, and papers
concerning earth tides and the creation of an international seismographic center in Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
Series 13: Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics (IGPP)
1944-1973
Scope and Content
The series relates to the creation of the Institute of Geophysics at UCLA in 1949, then in 1961, the creation of a "space
studies center." The latter proposal was recast by 1964 into a proposal for a Department of Planetary and Space Physics, which
resulted in the creation of the UCLA Institute for Geophysics and Planetary Physics (IGPP) in 1965. An Institute of Geophysics
was first proposed by President Robert Sproul of UCLA in 1944. Material in this series includes budgets, memos, and correspondence
regarding the creation of IGPP, as well as reports produced within the UC system on the propagation of seismic waves.
Box 11, Folders 34-45, Box 12, Folders 1-2
Correspondence, memos, and reports
1944-1973
Scope and Content
Includes memos, correspondence, reports, and budgets regarding the creation of IGPP and the recruitment of Slichter to head
it. The materials were generated by various persons and academic departments, discussing the space studies center, curriculum
developement, and issues regarding funding and staffing.
Boxes 17-18
Seismic scattering reports
1955-1959
Scope and Content
Four reports on the propagation of seismic waves. The reports were produced by scientists throughout the UC system. Leon Knopoff
headed the project, initially under Slichter's overall supervision.
Series 14: UCLA/UC files
1953-1975
Scope and Content
Series consists of files having to do with UCLA or the UC system, but not having to do with IGPP. Most of the material is
administrative, and has small amounts of material concerning loyalty oaths (1950s), student unrest (1960s), affirmative action
(1970s).
Box 12, Folders 1-16
Administrative files
1953-1975
Scope and Content
Departmental and campus memoranda, correspondence, and programs. Material concerning loyalty oaths (1950s), student unreset
(1960s), and affirmative action (1970s).
Box 15, Envelope 17
Graphs: An Assessment of Quality in Graduate Education
1964
Scope and Content
Graphs from the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Slichter may have used the graphs for administrative
purposes.
Box 13, Folder 1-38, Box 12 , Folders 17-52
Series 15: Writings
1918-1967
Scope and Content
Papers and addresses by Slichter appear in this series. Most of the material consists of writings or presentations done for
popular, as opposed to academic audiences, although in some cases presentations done to commercial meetings (e.g. mining conventions)
are included here. The series includes lecture notes that do not have an identifiable audience. Also included are some drafts
of papers, and early reprints of Slichter's published articles. Subjects include gravity research, electromagnetism, prospecting,
and seismology.
Series 16: Biographical files
1906-1978
Scope and Content
Biographical Information about Slichter and members of his family from a variety of sources, including a tribute written by
Leon Knopoff and Charles P. Slichter (Louis' nephew, son of Sumner Slichter) upon Louis B. Slichter's death in 1978. Also
included in the series are diplomas and honors awarded to Louis B. Slichter in his lifetime; a festschrift (series of lectures
in Slichter's honor) from 1963, and remarks, clippings and programs from the dedication of Slichter Hall on UCLA's campus
in 1966.
Box 13, Folders 39-53, Box 15, Envelope 24
Tributes, awards, and other biographical materials
1918-1978
Scope and Content
Biographical information about Slichter and members of his family from a variety of sources, including a tribute written by
Leon Knopoff and Charles P. Slichter (Slichter's nephew) upon Slichter's death in 1978. File also includes diplomas, honors
awarded to Slichter throughout his lifetime, materials from a festschrift in 1963, and clippings and programs from the dedication
of Slichter Hall at UCLA in 1966.
Box 15, Envelope 1-8
Photographs
1918-1975
Scope and Content
Portraits of Slichter for publication, as well as informal portraits of Slichter in Navy uniform, circa 1918; negatives of
photos likely taken by Ensign Slichter in England during World War I; Slichter posing with instruments while at MIT; group
portrait at conference in 1950 (included in group are Edward Teller and Linus Pauling); at an event in Madison, Wisconsin
honoring his family in 1957; and a UCLA commencement in 1969. Also included is an informal portrait taken circa 1920, of Louis
B. Slichter's father, Charles Sumner Slichter.
Box 16
Notebooks
1906 - circa 1953
Scope and Content
Notebooks kept by Slichter when he was in 6th grade (1906), during a trip abroad in 1909-1910, during his naval service during
the First World War, and possibly during prospecting trips. Early notebooks have long diary entries. Later books have more
of the character of personal memorandum books, or account books, or both.
Series 17: Subject files
1918-1976
Scope and Content
The series consists of material that Slichter did not identify with any particular project, but retained nevertheless. The
meaning of some of the files is straightforward. For example, it is probable that Slichter's interest in the Loch Ness Monster
derives from his research into finding large objects underwater. The material concerning the work of Leon Knopoff appear because
of the two men's personal friendship, and their often close collaboration on other projects. A researcher might also draw
the inference that Slichter employed some of Knopoff's work in his teaching.
Box 14, Folders 1-2
Absorption of Sound
circa 1955
Scope and Content
Drafts, notes, tables, and graphs regarding the movement of sound waves through solids. Much of the material pertains to a
paper, "The Attenuation of Small Amplitude Stress Waves in Solids" by Leon Knopoff of UCLA and Gordon J. F. MacDonald of MIT.
Some of the notes appear to be Slichter's. It is unclear what Slichter's overall contribution to the paper was.
Box 14, Folder 3
Bullen Compressibility Question
circa 1950
Scope and Content
Notes and calculations regarding Keith Edward Bullen's hypotheses about the density of the Earth's mantle and core.
Box 14, Folder 4
Bureau Gravimetrique International
1967-1969
Scope and Content
Correspondence and map concerning Slichter's marine gravity project.
Folder 14, Folder 5
Chilean Trench
1969
Scope and Content
Flyer for a lecture by Dr. Dave Scholl of the USGS. Slichter made some brief notes, which he retained with the flyer.
Box 14, Folder 6
Correction Data for Dual Coil experiments
undated
Scope and Content
Calculations and graphs.
Box 14, Folder 7
Critique of proposals by Slichter: Goodkind, Kuo, and Grannell
1976
Scope and Content
Slichter's critique and ranking of proposals by the three scientists.
Box 14, Folder 8
Detection of Nonperiodic Signals
1964
Scope and Content
Draft of a paper by Slichter.
Box 14, Folder 9
Dynamics of Gases -- Office of Naval Research
1953-1954
Scope and Content
Correspondence regarding a project employing Dr. Chaim Pekeris of the Weitzman Institute, Tel Aviv, Israel. While in the U.S.,
Pekeris worked at UCLA.
Box 14, Folder 10
Earth Sciences
1954
Scope and Content
Reports and administrative material from the Panel on Statistics on the Earth Sciences, which appears to be a committee of
the American Geophysical Union. Slichter was a member of both bodies.
Box 14, Folder 11
Epicentral Slab
undated
Scope and Content
Calculations.
Box 14, Folders 12-13
Kellett Report
1970
Scope and Content
Correspondence and draft reports of the Wisconsin Governor's Commission on Education. The Commission was chaired by William
R. Kellett. Slichter was apparently a member, or at least an advisor to the commission.
Box 14, Folder 14
Lamb's Problem - draft and calculations
1959
Scope and Content
Material consists mostly of calculations and drafts of papers by Leon Knopoff. The subject is the propagation of waves through
solids, specifically pertaining to the research of Horace Lamb (1849-1934).
Box 14, Folder 15
Loch Ness Monster
1968-1971
Scope and Content
Reports, circulars and newsletters of the Loch Ness Investigation. File includes clippings from other publications.
Box 14, Folder 16
Maria Mitchell Association
1970-1975
Scope and Content
The Maria Mitchell Association is headquartered on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts, and promotes the legacy of astronomer
Maria Mitchell (1818-1889). Slichter served as vice-president of the organization in the period 1974-1975. Most of the material
has to do with administrative matters, such as grant writing, and offering internships and educational programs.
Box 14, Folder 17
Oceanography
circa 1950
Scope and Content
Graph and slides, perhaps used by Slichter in lectures.
Box 14, Folder 18
Measurements on Wax Model
circa 1954
Scope and Content
Graphs and calculations.
Box 14, Folder 19
Multiple Reflection...
1954
Scope and Content
The original title of the file appears to have been "Multiple Reflection in Wax Slab Data." The file consists of graphs and
calculations, and what appears to be examination questions.
Box 14, Folder 20
Navy Electronics Laboratory
1949
Scope and Content
Correspondence and expense vouchers relating to Slichter's consultative services with the laboratory.
Box 14, Folder 21
Outlines of papers
undated
Scope and Content
Outlines and calculations on a folder. It is unclear if these outlines are of papers that Slichter proposed, or whether they
were ever written or published.
Box 14, Folder 22
Pan-American Symposium on the Upper Mantle
1968 March
Scope and Content
A conference of the International Upper Mantle Committee. At the conference, Slichter presented a paper, "Earth Tides."
Box 14, Folder 23
Physics seminar
1952
Scope and Content
Slichter's notes from a graduate seminar on wave propagation.
Box 14, Folder 24
Plane of Silence Report
undated
Scope and Content
Outline and notes regarding electromagnetic prospecting.
Box 14, Folder 25
Q-Coils
undated
Scope and Content
Notes and calculations, possibly regarding scientific instruments.
Box 14, Folder 26
Science Advisory Council of the California Legislature
1969-1970
Scope and Content
Slichter was an advisor to the council.
Box 14, Folder 27
Science Digest
1965
Scope and Content
Copy of a mass-circulation science magazine, featuring an article on Slichter's earth tides research. Included in the file
is a letter from an amateur earthquake researcher who posits a relationship between the occurrence of earthquakes and the
full moon.
Box 14, Folder 28
Scripps Institute of Oceanography
1964-1968
Scope and Content
The Scripps Institute of Oceanography collaborated with UCLA on Slichter's marine gravity project. This file contains the
Institute's reports and press releases concerning the project.
Box 14, Folder 29
Security Clearance material
1948-1954
Scope and Content
Correspondence, memos, instruction sheets, and Slichter's fingerprint card.
Box 14, Folder 30
Sharpe with Viscosity
undated
Scope and Content
Calculations, and a typescript which may be an untitled draft or lecture notes.
Box 14, Folder 31
Society of Exploration Geophysicists
1963-1969
Scope and Content
Correspondence, memos and minutes having to do with the society's meetings. Slichter was a member. The members of the society
were persons and firms concerned with commercial mineral prospecting.
Box 14, Folder 32
Sound Underwater
1922
Scope and Content
Copy of a 1922 paper by Slichter, sent to his UCLA colleague Vern Knudsen in 1967.
Box 14, Folder 33
Soviet Union - Academic and personal freedom
1972
Scope and Content
Clippings and circular letters regarding the harassment of Prof. Veniamin G. Levich, a Soviet scientist who applied to emigrate
from the USSR to Israel.
Box 14, Folder 34
Torpedo Detection Instructions
1918 May
Scope and Content
Instructions written by Slichter aboard the USS America concerning the operation of torpedo detection apparatus.
Box 14, Folder 35
Trapezoidal approximate to [sonic] waves calculations
undated
Box 14, Folder 36
Viscous wax
undated
Scope and Content
Graphs and calculations, perhaps having to do with lectures or modeling.
Box 14, Folder 37
Reciprocity
1958
Scope and Content
Correspondence and photos illustrating a paper co-written by Leon Knopoff.
Box 14, Folder 38
Resource American Corporation
1965-1967
Scope and Content
Correspondence dealing with a discovery of a silver lode in California and Slichter's advice and testimony regarding legislation
governing the development of the site.
Box 14, Folders 39-40
Unidentified projects
circa 1950-1960
Scope and Content
Notes, graphs, and calculations that were filed and either not identified by Slichter, or identified only with an equation
or scientific symbols.
Box 14, Folder 41
University of Alaska
1971
Scope and Content
Correspondence with Dr. Hans Pulpan of the University of Alaska regarding computer programs employed in the measurement of
earth tides.
Box 14, Folder 42
University of Arizona College of Mines
1961, 1964
Scope and Content
Correspondence, papers, and programs pertaining to conferences at the College.
Box 14, Folder 43
University of Hawaii
1963-1970
Scope and Content
Correspondence, notes, and one map pertaining to marine gravity readings in the Pacific Ocean.
Box 14, Folder 44
University of Newcastle upon Tyne
1962-1968
Scope and Content
Correspondence with a variety of persons, including Keith Runcorn, and scientists at other universities. Also included are
drafts of papers and programs of conferences.
Box 14, Folder 45
Walsh - Equation of State
1955-1956
Scope and Content
Correspondence, from Leon Knopoff and others, concerning the paper "Equation of State of Metals from Shock Wave Measurements"
by J. M. Walsh of Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory.
Box 14, Folder 46
Winfield B. Heinz - Fast Load Control
1969
Scope and Content
Fast Load Control was a company that designed power generating systems. The file contains correspondence and reports of the
company.
