Thorn Mayes Sound Recordings
Finding aid created by History San Jose Research Library staff using RecordEXPRESS
History San Jose Research Library
2020
1661 Senter Road
San Jose, California 95112
(408) 287-2290
research@historysanjose.org
http://www.historysanjose.org/
Title: Thorn Mayes Sound Recordings
Dates: 1965-1980
Collection Number: 2003-38
Creator/Collector:
Mayes, Thorn L.
Extent: 99 recordings
Online items available
Repository:
History San Jose Research Library
San Jose, California 95112
Abstract: Sound recordings created by Thorn Mayes as part of his research on early wireless telegraph and radio in the Western United
States. Includes one-on-one interviews conducted by Thorn Mayes and Warren Green, talks to the Antique Wireless Association
both by Mayes and by other speakers, recordings of historic radio broadcasts, and re-creations of spark transmissions at West
Coast wireless stations.
Language of Material: English
The collection is available to researchers by appointment with the Curator of Library & Archives.
Responsibility for making an assessment on copyright issues for the use of material from the Thorn Mayes Sound Recordings,
and for securing any necessary permissions, rests with persons desiring to use the material. Material from this collection
can be used for educational and other non-commercial purposes without the written permission of the History San Jose Research
Library & Archives. "Fair use" criteria of Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976 must be followed. Under the fair use doctrine
of the U.S. copyright statute (Title 17 of the U.S. Code), it is permissible to use limited portions of a work, including
quotes, for purposes such as commentary, criticism, news reporting, and scholarly reports. Accordingly, we recommend that
users who believe that use of this collection's material may exceed fair use criteria contact History San Jose directly. Additionally,
we recommend that a patron's use of such material be approved in writing. You may contact the Curator of Library and Archives
at History San Jose (research@historysanjose.org) for assistance.
Thorn Mayes Sound Recordings. History San Jose Research Library
Donated to the Perham Foundation by Thorn Mayes' son. Acquired by History San Jose in 2003 as part of the Perham Collection
of Early Electronics.
Biography/Administrative History
Thorn Mayes, born April 19, 1903, graduated from the University of California in 1927 with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering.
He was an avid amateur radio operator, working W6AX, W9AX, 6BDQ, 6AX, K6BI, K2CE, and W1CX under the handle “Thorn.” His first
2-way wireless contact was in 1921, and he was member #229 of the Old Old Timers Club. After retiring from his managerial
position at General Electric Company, Mayes became a serious collector of antique gear (prior to 1922), books and magazines,
as well as an historian of early wireless in the United States. He was particularly interested in recreating the history of
the three main, early, commercial wireless stations on the West Coast: KPH, KFS, and NPG.
Scope and Content of Collection
In conducting research on West Coast early radio, Mayes was able to draw on his many friends and contacts within the amateur
radio and electronics community. As part of his work, he recorded a large number of interviews with names familiar to students
of early electronics, particularly in the Western United States, including Ralph Heintz, Haraden Pratt, Richard Johnstone,
and Robert Palmer. Mayes also recorded many of his talks at amateur radio associations. These recordings are part of the Perham
Collection of Early Electronics, and the majority of these interviews and talks have been transcribed by History San Jose.
They consist of one-on-one interviews conducted by Mayes and Warren Green, talks to the Antique Wireless Association both
by Mayes and by other speakers, recordings of historic radio broadcasts, and re-creations of spark transmissions at West Coast
wireless stations.
Radio--California--San Francisco Bay Area--History
Telegraph, Wireless--History
Electronics industries--History
Radio stations--California--San Francisco Bay Area--History
Amateur radio stations
Shipping--California--San Francisco Bay Area--History
Palmer, Robert
Heintz, Ralph, Sr.
Johnstone, Richard
De Forest, Lee, 1873-1961
Federal Telegraph Company
Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company of America
United Wireless Company
Pacific Coast (U.S.)