Collection context
Summary
- Creators:
- Goodstein, David Louis (Physicist)
- Extent:
- 20 linear feet (48 archival boxes and computer files)
- Language:
- English , Italian
Background
- Scope and content:
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The David L. Goodstein papers illustrate Goodstein's contributions to experimental condensed matter physics and physics education. The collection consists of correspondence, research notes, notebooks, and writings. The papers cover his early career at the University of Washington but primarily comprise of his work at Caltech.
- Biographical / historical:
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David Louis Goodstein (April 5, 1939 – April 10, 2024) was an American physicist, author, and educator. Born in Brooklyn, New York, he received his education at Brooklyn College, where he met and married his wife, Judith (Judy) R. Koral, in 1960. In 1965, the Goodsteins moved to Washington State to complete their graduate studies at the University of Washington. The Goodsteins share two children, Mark and Marcia.
In 1966, Goodstein accepted an offer to start a low-temperature physics lab at Caltech. Around the time Goodstein contemplated moving to Caltech, he also received a proposal for a yearlong NSF (National Science Foundation) fellowship in Rome. Caltech agreed that Goodstein would start the lab at Caltech, spend six months in Rome for the fellowship, and return to his position at Caltech. In Italy, he and Judith learned to speak Italian, attending lessons twice a week, and Goodstein taught every seminar there in Italian. Goodstein established lifelong friendships and professional relationships in Italy and took regular trips to collaborate with colleagues at the University of Rome.
At Caltech, Goodstein's influence was felt in the establishment of the applied physics program. In 1979, while teaching an undergraduate physics course, he had an idea that would revolutionize physics education. He proposed recording and televising his physics lectures, which eventually led to the creation of the award-winning physics telecourse The Mechanical Universe. With support from the Annenberg/Corporation for Public Broadcasting between 1982 and 1987, Goodstein and his collaborators produced 52 episodes. These episodes were not just filmed lectures, but adventures in physics, thanks to Goodstein's innovative approach.
From 1987 to 2007, he was Caltech's vice-provost, where he continued his role as a professor of physics and applied physics. Additionally, he served on and chaired several scientific and academic panels, including the National Science Foundation's Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences Advisory Committee. Goodstein continued to teach and conduct research in experimental condensed matter physics, but he later turned his attention to issues related to science and society. In articles and speeches, he addressed conduct and misconduct in science, as well as issues related to fossil fuels and the climate of Planet Earth.
In 1999, Goodstein received the Oersted Medal of the American Association of Physics Teachers, and in 2000, the John P. McGovern Medal of the Sigma Xi Society. He served on and chaired numerous scientific and academic panels, including the National Advisory Committee to the Mathematical and Physical Sciences Directorate of the National Science Foundation. He was a founding member of the California Council on Science and Technology board of directors.
Dr. David Goodstein became Caltech professor emeritus in 2009 and continued publishing through 2015. He passed away on April 10, 2024.
For more information on David L. Goodstein, see the transcript of his 2002 oral history interview with Shelley Erwin at Caltech Oral Histories .
Teaching and research, University of Washington 1960 – 1967
Caltech Positions:
Research Fellow, 1966 – 1967
Assistant Professor, 1968 – 1971
Associate Professor, 1971 – 1976
Professor, 1976 – 2007
Vice Chairman of the Faculty, 1977 – 1979
Chairman of the Faculty, 1979 – 1981
Member, JPL Advisory Council, 1979 – 1981
Caltech Representative, UCAR, 1987 - 2007
Vice Provost, 1987 – 2007
Institutional Official for Animal Care and Use, 1996 - 2007
Special Positions:
1972, NATO Visiting Professor, Frascati, Italy
1973 – 2007, Visiting Research Scientist, Frascati National Laboratory, Frascati, Italy
1982 – 1987, Director and Host, The Mechanical Universe
1988 – 2007, Scientific Advisory Committee, David and Lucile Packard Foundation
1993 – 1995, Physics Programs Policy Committee, American Institute of Physics
1997 – 1999, Chair, NSF, National Advisory Committee, Mathematical and Physical Sciences Directorate
Special Honors:
1995, Frank J. Gilloon Distinguished Teaching and Service Professor
1998, Oersted Medal of the American Association of Physics Teachers.
Goodstein joined the ranks of Feynman and Millikan who also received the honor.
2000, the John P. McGovern Medal of the Sigma Xi Society
- Processing information:
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Jo Krajeski and Benjamin Mendez Jr. processed the collection between March and August 2024. Duplicate course materials and reprints, personal, financial and student information were discarded and recycled.
- Arrangement:
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The David L. Goodstein papers are stored in 48 archival boxes. The papers have been arranged in seven series, with six containing sub-series arrangements.
Series 1: Correspondence has been arranged into five sub-series. The record creator maintained correspondence folders using chronological order in most cases. Sub-Series 1: Arranged in alphabetical order contains incoming and outgoing correspondence from individuals, organized by surname; includes US Government department correspondence. Sub-Series 2: Arranged in chronological order contains incoming and outgoing correspondence from individuals within or closely associated with Caltech or its affiliates, i.e., JPL. Sub-Series 3: Arranged in chronological order, contains incoming and outgoing correspondence from individuals not directly associated with Caltech but Goodstein interacted with on a professional level, i.e., universities, conferences. Sub-Series 4: Arranged in chronological order, folders contain correspondence regarding physics, experiments, collaborative efforts and theoretical discussions. Sub-Series 5: Publishing correspondence is arranged in chronological order, containing additional incoming and outgoing correspondence folders directly related to specific articles, i.e., LA Times op-ed, American Scientist, etc.
Series 2: Personal and Biographical has been arranged into two sub-series. The folders are in chronological order. Sub-Series 1: Primarily incoming personal correspondence from friends and colleagues. Sub-Series 2: Contains correspondence related to Goodstein's years at the University of Washington, including his course notebooks, dissertation, and lab notes.
Series 3: California Institute of Technology (Caltech) content folders have been arranged primarily in alphabetical order, sub-series 5 and 6, arranged in chronological order. Sub-Series 1: Subject Files include Caltech-related subjects, projects, and organizational associations. Files include Goodstein's professional roles and activities outside of Caltech representation. Sub-Series 2: Caltech Committees, sorted alphabetically, includes committees, sub-committees, boards, and councils Goodstein participated in. Sub-Series 3: Caltech Policies, alphabetical, contains institutional policy information, including creation and adjustments. Sub-Series 4: Patents folders contain a personal patent obtained by Goodstein, and Caltech patent agreements. Sub-Series 5: Proposals, arranged chronologically, includes project proposals submitted by Goodstein and other Caltech faculty or students, to various organizations including NSF and IBM, for funding. Sub-Series 6: A selection of teaching notes, arranged by course subject and number, then by year.
Series 4: Mechanical Universe (MU) contains two sub-series, correspondence and subject files, primarily pertaining to Mechanical Universe administration. Sub-Series 1: Correspondence is arranged chronologically. Sub-Series 2: MU Subject Files, arranged alphabetically, includes Mechanical Universe topics such as inception, proposal, and adaptation for television and the classroom.
Series 5: Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), NASA, Research Oversight Committee (ROC) has been arranged into three sub-series. Sub-Series 1: JPL Advisory Council, arranged chronologically, documents activity reports, meeting notes and agendas, long-range plans, and Director's Letter. Sub-Series 2: JPL Subject Files, arranged alphabetically, contains JPL correspondence, Goodstein's JPL clearance, review boards, equipment, and faculty appointments. Sub-Series 3: Classified Research Oversight Committee (CROC), also known as "Christy's Committee," is arranged by year, as originally arranged by record creator.
Series 6: Research, Writings, and Conferences is organized into four sub-series, primarily arranged in chronological order by dates published, and utilized published paper name or Goodstein original file name Sub-Series 1: Research and Experiments, chronological, includes experiment data, correspondence with collaborators, and publishing figures. Sub-Series 2: Writings and Manuscripts, arranged chronologically by publication date, where possible, and includes published and unpublished drafts and notes. Sub-Series 3: Feynman's Lost Lecture and other writings includes manuscripts and drafts, correspondence, legal documents, and Feynman biographical information. Sub-Series 4: Conferences, Talks, and Lectures, arranged chronologically includes conferences attended, lectures and talks given with notes, and transparencies or images included in lectures.
Series 7: Audiovisual, no sub-series arrangement. Mixed media includes VHS, Compact Disc, and DVD formats. Audiovisual contents include Goodstein interviews on CNN, KCET "Life and Times," multiple "Out of Gas" related interviews, and "Historic Caltech Between Acts." One film reel contains an undated "Liquid Helium" experiment, and two DVDs of Goodstein's computer files and emails.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Access and use
- Restrictions:
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The collection is open for research and has not been digitized. Contact the Caltech Archives to schedule an appointment for access or for more information. Some files are closed due to privacy and confidentiality.
- Location of this collection:
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1200 E. California Blvd.MC B215-74Pasadena, CA 91125, US
- Contact:
- (626) 395-2704