Guide to the Harold F. Elliott Papers
2003.36
Finding aid prepared by Coleen Hathaway-Rosa
History San Jose Research Library
1650 Senter Road
San Jose, CA, 95110
(408) 287-2290
research@historysanjose.org
January 2013
Title: Harold F. Elliott Papers
Identifier/Call Number: 2003.36
Contributing Institution:
History San Jose Research Library
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
69.5 Linear feet
Date (inclusive): 1900-1969
Abstract: Correspondence, technical drawings, computations, patent materials, photographs, sketches and notes regarding electrical engineer's
Harold F. Elliott's prolific work as an inventor of various radio apparatus and as a consulting engineer with companies such
as the Federal Telegraph Company, the Galvin Manufacturing Corporation (Motorola, Inc.), the Victor Talking Machine Co., the
Hewlett-Packard Company, and, during World War II, at the Radio Research Laboratory at Harvard University. The papers also
contain personal materials belonging to and created by Elliott and his wife Winifred Estabrook Elliott.
Language of Materials note: The materials are in English.
creator:
Elliott, Harold F.
creator:
Elliott, Winifred Estabrook
Processing Information
Processed by Coleen Hathaway-Rosa in 2012 as part of a grant from the Council on Library and Information Resources' Cataloging
Hidden Collections program.
Biography
Harold Farley Elliott was born in Durango, Colorado, on June 17, 1892, to Wilbur S. Elliott and Henrietta Farley Elliott.
Elliott's only sibling, Jean Elliott, was born in 1895. Elliott grew up in Prescott, Arizona and graduated from Prescott High
School in 1911. He then attended Stanford University, where he graduated in 1916 with his A.B. in Mechanical Engineering and
in 1925 with his Master's degree in Electrical Engineering.
From 1916 to 1922, Elliott worked at the Federal Telegraph Company as a Chief Draftsman, Production Manager and Engineer in
Charge of the design of high power radio transmitting equipment. From 1922 to 1925, he served as the Consulting Engineer in
charge of designing the transmitting equipment for the Trans-Pacific project ("the Chinese project") for the Federal Telegraph
Company and its subsidiary, the Federal Telegraph Co. of Delaware. Federal Telegraph Company had planned to construct four
radio transmission stations to be located at Shanghai, Pekin (Peking or Beijing), Canton, and Harbin, China. However, in 1924
the Chinese project came to a standstill. According to Elliott, the instability of the Chinese government, the beginning of
short wave radio and conflicts between the Federal Telegraph Company and R.C.A. caused the Chinese project to be delayed.
Elliott wrote "It was not until 10 years later that R.C.A. finally established a short wave circuit to Shanghai."
In early 1927, Eliott began designing and producing radio receivers for home use for the Victor Talking Machine Company. From
1929 through 1931, he served as a consulting engineer at that company. In 1937, he demonstrated his home radio set with clock
and push button tuning to Paul Galvin of the Galvin Manufacturing Corporation (Galvin). This demonstration led to a licensing
agreement for Galvin's exclusive use of Elliott's tuner in auto sets and the production of a push button automobile radio.
According to Elliott, the licensing agreement "worked out very satisfactorily for all parties concerned." While working with
Galvin, he developed other radio apparatus, such as a portable table model radio, radio tuners for military communication
equipment, and a solenoid (or motor drive) for mechanical push button tuners. When describing his working relationship with
Galvin, Elliott wrote "Over an eight year period every request for help has been met in good faith and without reservations.
No expenditure in time or money has been spared to find a satisfactory solution and every problem has found a successful answer."
In February 1942, Dr. Frederick E. Terman convinced Elliott to join the Radar Counter-Measures Laboratory developing at the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. (Eventually the laboratory moved to Harvard University and became known as the Radio
Research Laboratory.) While Elliott spent 1942 through 1945 conducting war research at the Radio Research Laboratory, he continued
to work on his radio apparatus developments for Galvin.
From 1953 into the early 1960s, Elliott worked as a consultant at the Hewlett-Packard Company on technology related to digital
printers and clocks.
During much of his career, Elliott independently designed, developed, and marketed various radio apparatus, such as push-button,
remote control, and clock control mechanisms for radio receivers and transmitters. His work resulted in over 80 U.S. patents,
issued from 1920 through 1966.
In addition to his electrical engineering work, Elliott was an accomplished photographer. During his undergraduate studies
at Stanford, he managed the Campus Photo Shop and was the student manager of the 1916 Quad (the student yearbook). (Elliott
appears to have been a contemporary of Stanford photographer Berton W. Crandall.) He continued with his photography throughout
his lifetime, taking photographs for both professional and personal purposes. During the 1950s, Elliott's work was shown in
multiple photography exhibits, including an exhibit held at the Stanford University Art Gallery. He also spoke about photography
at local camera clubs.
Throughout his lifetime, Elliott remained connected with Stanford University. He worked with or corresponded with other Stanford
University electrical engineering alumni throughout his career, such as Ralph R. Beal, James Arthur Miller, Clinton H. Suydam,
Herman P. Miller, Hans Otto Storm, Dr. Frederick E. Terman, Charles V. Litton, Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard. Elliott's personal
correspondence refers to attendance at Stanford University football games and other activities. In his later years, he served
as a part-time lecturer in the Engineering Department and on the 50th Anniversary Stanford Engineering Scholarship Fund Committee.
Elliott married 1924 Stanford University graduate and accomplished musician Winifred Estabrook. One common interest between
the couple was their love of classical music. Their personal correspondence mentions Estabrook's musical performances and
their attendance at various music events. In later years, Estabrook acted as his personal secretary. In 1954, the couple moved
into the custom home Elliott had designed at 800 Westridge Drive in Portola Valley, California. Elliott died at age 77 on
January 24, 1970, in San Mateo, California. Estabrook died at age 82 on January 20, 1977, in Santa Clara, California.
Scope and Content
Correspondence, technical drawings, computations, patent materials, photographs, sketches and notes regarding electrical engineer
Harold F. Elliott's prolific work as an inventor of various radio apparatus and as a consulting engineer with such companies
as the Federal Telegraph Company, the Galvin Manufacturing Corporation (Motorola, Inc.), the Victor Talking Machine Co. and
the Hewlett-Packard Company, and also during World War II at the Radio Research Laboratory at Harvard University.
Of particular note is Elliott's extensive collection of Federal Telegraph Company documents, such as inter-office correspondence
and memoranda, engineering reports and the technical drawings, accounting worksheets, and other material related to the transmitting
equipment and radio stations designed for the Federal Telegraph Company's Trans-Pacific project, as well as numerous technical
drawings of his radio tuners, clocks and assorted parts from his work with the Galvin Manufacturing Corporation. From his
work at the Radio Research Laboratory, Elliott saved previously classified correspondence, technical manuals, pamphlets and
reference notebooks. Separate files detail the step-by-step process of obtaining patents for over 30 of his radio apparatus
inventions.
The papers also contain a significant amount of personal materials from Elliott and his wife Winifred Estabrook, including
personal correspondence, financial and real estate records, educational material, and musical performance and art exhibition
programs. Elliott's interest in photography is well-documented through photography equipment brochures, photography club circulars,
and news clippings regarding Elliott's exhibitions and talks. Over 1,100 black and white photographs taken by Elliott portray
his days at Stanford University (1911-1916), his inventions, and the landscapes of California and the American Southwest.
Also included are Elliott's plans and architectural drawings for their residence at 800 Westridge Drive, Portola Valley, California,
built in 1954.
The papers have been divided into 13 series.
Other Finding Aids
History San Jose's PastPerfect catalog, which includes folder and item-level catalog records for these papers, as well as
many digitized images, is searchable at http://historysanjose.pastperfect-online.com.
Preferred Citation
Harold F. Elliott Papers 2003-36, History San Jose Research Library, San Jose, California 95112-2599.
Custodial History
Elliott's papers were originally donated to the Foothill Electronics Museum in 1971. History San Jose acquired the papers
in 2003 from the Perham Foundation as part of the Perham Collection of Early Electronics.
Conditions Governing Access
Materials are open to the public for research by appointment with the Curator of Library and Archives.
Conditions Governing Use
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions
of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a
photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specified conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be "used
for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research." If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy
or reproduction for purposes in excess of "fair use," that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution
reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgement, fulfillment of the order would involve violation
of copyright law.
Related Archival Materials
Related Collections at History San Jose: This collection is directly related to the rest of the larger Perham Collection by provenance and by subject matter; and
is also related by subject matter to other collections at History San Jose that deal with the early electronics industry in
the Santa Clara Valley and the western United States.
Related Collections at Other Institutions:
Cyril Frank Elwell Papers, M0049, Dept. of Special Collections, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.
Federal Telegraph Company records, 1900-1929 (bulk 1910-1919), BANC MSS 2002/66, The Bancroft Library, University of California,
Berkeley.
Charles Vincent Litton Papers, 1912-1972, Banc Mss 75/7c. The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
Haraden Pratt Papers, 1908-1969, Banc Mss 72/116/4. The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
Frederick Emmons Terman Papers (SC0160). Department of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries,
Stanford, Calif.
Harvard University Archives regarding the Radio Research Laboratory at Harvard University: http://oasis.lib.harvard.edu/oasis/deliver/~hua09005
Motorola, Inc. Legacy Archives Collection (Schaumburg, Illinois)
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Electrical engineers--United States
Inventors--California--Santa Clara Valley (Santa Clara County)
Radio--Receivers and reception--Design and construction.
Stanford University--Alumni and alumnae
Elliott Patent Materials Series 1
1913-1968
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
5.75 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
During much of his career, Elliott independently designed, developed, and marketed various radio apparatus, such as push-button,
remote control and clock control mechanisms for radio receivers and transmitters. His work resulted in over 80 U.S. patents
issued from 1920 through 1966. This series contains documents related to Elliott’s invention patents and is divided into three
subseries: Elliott's Patent Lists and Related Abstracts, Patent Records By Case Number and Patent Records Without Case Numbers
and Related Documents.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Clock radios
Radio--Equipment and supplies--Patents--United States.
Box 1
Patent Lists and Related Abstracts Subseries 1.1
1937-1953
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.25 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
Documents related to Elliott's invention patents. Includes various lists of Elliott's patents with related abstracts. Note
that the patents lists do not include all of Elliott's many patents.
Box 1-11
Patent Records by Case Number Subseries 1.2
1932-1951
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
5.5 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
Documents related to Elliott's Patent Applications as designated by Case Number.
Box 11, 12
Patent Records Without Case Numbers and Related Documents Subseries 1.3
1913-1968
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.5 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
Various documents related to Elliott's patents and inventions, not assigned Case Numbers. Includes correspondence between
Elliott and his patent attorney, John Flam, during October 1925 and February 1927 through March 1929. Also includes Elliott's
father Wilbur's patent for an Ellipsograph (1913, Patent No. 1,055,303).
Box 12
License Agreements and Related Documents Series 2
1921-1948
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.25 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
This series contains license agreements and related documents regarding Elliott's various patents and inventions. Also includes
related correspondence regarding Elliott's license agreements with the U.S. Government, Galvin Manufacturing Corporation,
Oak Manufacturing Company and the Radio Research Laboratory at Harvard University.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Galvin Manufacturing Corporation.
Harvard University. Radio Research Laboratory.
Oak Manufacturing Company.
Clock radios
License agreements
Radio--Equipment and supplies--Patents--United States.
Box 13
Interference Testimony and Related Documents Series 3
1930-1945
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.25 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
This series contains documents regarding three patent interference proceedings: Radio Corporation of America v. Radio Engineering
Labs., Inc., 293 U.S. 1 (1934), Loy E. Barton v. Harold F. Elliott (Interference No. 70,658) and Mastney and Williams v. Elliott
(Interference No. 81,126).
The Radio Corporation of America v. Radio Engineering Labs., Inc. documentation includes Elliott's 1930-1931 research regarding
oscillator patents while employed at RCA-Victor Company, inc. and related notes and correspondence. Note that this court case
has been cited in the more recent Microsoft Corp. v. i4i Limited Partnership et. al., 563 U.S. ___ (2011) as having established
the "clear and convincing" evidence standard required to overturn an already issued patent.
In Loy E. Barton v. Harold F. Elliott (Interference No. 70,658), Barton claimed that Elliot's Automatic Gain Control patent
application (Serial No. 628,629) interfered with Barton's Automatic Volume Control with Noise Suppression patent application
(Serial No. 640,946). The documentation includes Elliott's interference testimony and related correspondence (1935-1937);
however, there does not appear to be sufficient information to determine the outcome of this interference proceeding.
In Mastney and Williams v. Elliott (Interference No. 81,126), Edward J. Mastney (from Oak Manufacturing Company) claimed that
Elliott's Control Mechanism (1941, Serial No. 424,234, Elliott Cases 25 and 29) interfered with Mastney's Preselecting Mechanism
(1942, Patent No. 2,293,299). It appears that this interference claim was eventually dropped. A related interference claim
(Interference No. 82,100) was also dropped. Includes related correspondence (1941-1945).
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Barton, Loy E.
Mastney, Edward J.
Oak Manufacturing Company.
Radio Corporation of America.
Radio Engineering Labs., Inc..
RCA-Victor Company, inc..
Patent suits--United States
Radio--Equipment and supplies--Patents--United States.
Box 14, 15
Legal Counsel Correspondence Series 4
1922-1969
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.75 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
This series consists of correspondence between Elliott and Legal Counsel Laurence B. Dodds, John Flam, H. Rowan Gaither, Jr.,
Howard P. King, Foorman L. Mueller, T.G. Norris, Frederic E. Supple and Eugene C. Taylor. Because Elliott was simultaneously
developing, patenting and marketing his many inventions, correspondence in this series may overlap with correspondence in
Subseries 1.2. (Patent Records By Case Number), Subseries 1.3. (Patent Records Without Case Numbers and Related Documents),
Series 2. (License Agreements and Related Documents) and Series 3. (Interference Testimony and Related Documents).
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Attorney and client
Patent lawyers
Box 15-18
Patent Documents Collected for Reference Series 5
1887-1959
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
1.5 Linear feet
Language of Materials note: Some patent documents are in French and German.
Scope and Contents note
This series contains more than 475 patents that Elliott collected for his professional research, including British, French
and German patents and related articles, as well as Elliott’s general correspondence with the U.S. Patent Office.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Patents
Reference sources
Federal Telegraph Company Series 6
1915-1938
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
6.25 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
From 1916 to 1922, Elliott worked at the Federal Telegraph Company as a Chief Draftsman, Production Manager and Engineer in
Charge of the design of high power radio transmitting equipment. From 1922 to 1925, he served as the Consulting Engineer in
charge of designing the transmitting equipment for the Trans-Pacific project (“the Chinese project”) for the Federal Telegraph
Company and its subsidiary, the Federal Telegraph Co. of Delaware. Federal Telegraph Company had planned to construct four
radio transmission stations in China to be located at Shanghai, Pekin (Peking or Beijing), Canton, and Harbin. However, in
1924 the Chinese project came to a standstill. According to Elliott, the instability of the Chinese government, the beginning
of short wave radio, and conflicts between the Federal Telegraph Company and R.C.A. caused the Chinese project to be delayed.
Elliott wrote “It was not until 10 years later that R.C.A. finally established a short wave circuit to Shanghai.”
This series consists of documents related to Elliott's employment with the Federal Telegraph Company and is divided into eight
subseries: Correspondence and Related Documents, Reports, Blueprints and Oversized Documents, Assorted Data, Computations
and Sketches, Work Diaries and Related Documents, Photographs, and Assorted Documents.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Beal, Ralph R.
Federal Telegraph Company.
Goldmark, Henry
Pratt, John Haraden, 1848-1938
Schwerin, R. P.
Terman, Frederick Emmons, 1900-1982
Wing, Charles B.
Communications, Military
Construction contracts--China
Defense contracts
Electric arc
Radio and television towers
Radio stations--California--San Diego
Radio stations--Guam
Radio stations--Maryland--Annapolis
Radio stations--Oregon--Hillsboro
Radio--Installation on ships
Telegraph, Wireless--History
Telegraph, Wireless--Pacific Ocean--History
Correspondence and Related Documents Subseries 6.1
1916-1938
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
2.5 Linear feet
Box 18
December 1916 – April 1920
December 1916-April 1920
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.5 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
Correspondence, memoranda, computations and technical drawings on subjects including automatic timing relays for the Sayville,
Annapolis, Liberty, El Cayey and Columbia Stations; 2 kW arc set developments; summary of experimental work done on single
wave signaling systems (September 24, 1919 to October 14, 1919); U.S. Navy contract work; Lafayette Radio Station (Bordeaux,
France) and Guam Radio Station coupled compensation signaling system; specifications for power machinery for Radio Stations.
Box 19
May 1920 – February 1921
May 1920-February 1921
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.5 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
Correspondence, memoranda and technical documentation related to arc converter and signaling system installations at Guam,
San Diego, Annapolis stations; San Diego testing schedules; mica condensers, U.S. Navy contracts; contract with the Pacific
Rolling Mill Company (Nevada) for radio towers in Santa Clara County, California, and Hillsboro, Oregon; construction contracts
for radio towers; assorted Federal Telegraph equipment design memorandum and drawings.
Box 20
March 1921 – March 1922
March 1921-March 1922
Language of Material:
English
Scope and Contents note
Memoranda, technical drawings and project reports on subjects including, but not limited to, 350-1,000 kW arc transmitters,
San Diego high speed tests; Marsh and Hillsboro stations; 1,000 kW power plant; correspondence and memoranda between Elliott
and Ralph R. Beal, Haraden Pratt, J. A. Miller, Suydam, Schwerin.
Box 21
April 1922 – March 1923
April 1922-March 1923
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.5 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
Correspondence, notes, expense account records, and technical data primarily related to planning and specifications for the
"Chinese project," as well as the San Diego high power station, Pearl Harbor and Cavite high power stations. Includes correspondence
surrounding hiring of Consulting Engineer Henry Goldmark to review Chinese station design proposals from Wing & Beebee engineering
firm.
Box 22
April 1923 – June 1924
April 1923-June 1924
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.5 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
Correspondence primarily between Elliott and Ralph R. Beal related to Chinese project; wind pressure testing on cables; budget
estimates for Chinese project; Elliott's expense account reports; correspondence between Elliott and Wing regarding Chinese
project; correspondence regarding proposed 100 kW transmitter at Marsh and Bolinas stations.
Box 23
1925-1938
1925, 1927, 1933 and 1938
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.5 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
Correspondence between Elliott and Ralph R. Beal on issues including work orders for Chinese project; 100 kW and 1000 kW arc
converters; status of equipment manufacturing for Chinese project; antenna and mast technical details. Correspondence between
Elliott and Scholtz regarding Marsh station anemometers; Shanghai antennae. Assorted correspondence between Elliott and other
Federal Telegraph Company staff regarding wind instruments at Marsh station; billing; cost analysis; technical issues surrounding
1000 foot masts for China.
Box 23-27
Reports Subseries 6.2
1917-1924
Language of Material:
Bini; Edo
Physical Description:
2.0 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
During his employment at the Federal Telegraph Company, Elliott retained copies of 113 engineering reports. (A complete list
of the Federal Telegraph Company Engineering Reports is available from History San Jose). Note that some of the reports are
in draft form; some of the reports were not signed off by the engineer that completed the report; and over 20 of the reports
are undated.
Box 27
Blueprints, Oversized Drawings and Related Documents Subseries 6.3
1916-1924
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
6.0 Linear feet
12 map folders
Scope and Contents note
Technical drawings and blueprints for Federal Telegraph Company stations and equipment, including but not limited to: Mare
Island Naval Yard blueprints; Buenos Ayres (Buenos Aires) Radio Station blueprints and designs; Elliott’s “Combined Wave Changes
and Transfer Switches”; drawings of arc converter cooling plates; assorted wiring diagrams; mast and antenna blueprints; 2
kW arc component drawings; 1000’ steel guyed mast blueprints from Wing & Beebee; assorted blueprints for Marsh Station and
Hillsboro; Shanghai Station Drawings by Henry Goldmark engineers; wiring diagrams for Lafayette Radio Station (Bordeaux, France).
Box 28, 29
Assorted Data, Computations and Sketches Subseries 6.4
1915-1926
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
1.0 Linear feet
2 manuscript boxes
Scope and Contents note
Includes test data and computations on coupled compensation signaling systems, 2 kW arc sets, 100 kW loading inductor for
He'eia, 5 kW arc radio transmitter for ship service, radio frequency resistance of antenna wires, and single wave signaling
at San Diego.
Box 30
Work Diaries and Related Documents Subseries 6.5
1919, 1920 and 1924
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.25 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
Elliott's time records and work diaries for November 1919, January 1920, and January - October 1924, as well as engineers
C. H. Suydam and H. P. Miller's work diaries for January-September 1924.
Box 30
Photographs Subseries 6.6
1910-1924
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.25 Linear feet
2 folders, 1 map folder
Scope and Contents note
Two folders of photographs related to Elliott’s work with Federal Telegraph Company, and an oversize map of the world showing
all of the Federal Telegraph Company high power stations (more than 30 kW) and their connections. “The Federal Telegraph Company
manufactures Arc Radio Transmitters varying in size from 2 to 1,000 Kilowatts. This map shows only the larger radio stations
using Federal Arc Radio Transmitters. No stations of less than 30 Kilowatts are shown. A large number of smaller transmitters
have been built for merchant and naval vessels and small land stations.” Features three photographs: “U.S. Naval High Power
Radio Station, San Diego, California”; “1,000 Kilowatt Arc Converter”; and “30 Kilowatt Arc Converter.”
Box 30
Assorted Documents
1906-1925
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.25 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
Includes a 1917 legal opinion regarding the heterodyne patent; contents of Elliott's reference binder; and the contents of
Haraden Pratt's reference binder.
Galvin Manufacturing Corporation/Motorola, Inc. Series 7
1929-1953
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
10.0 Linear feet
6.75 linear feet, 11 map folders and 77 photos
Scope and Contents note
In 1937, Elliott demonstrated his home radio set with clock and push button tuning to Paul Galvin of the Galvin Manufacturing
Corporation (Galvin). This demonstration led to a licensing agreement for Galvin’s exclusive use of Elliott’s tuner in auto
sets and the production of a push button automobile radio. While working with Galvin as a Consulting Engineer, Elliott developed
other radio apparatus, such as a portable table model radio, radio tuners for military communication equipment and a solenoid
(or motor drive) for mechanical push button tuners. This series includes documents related to Elliott’s work with Galvin during
the years 1937 through 1945 and is divided into six subseries.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Galvin Manufacturing Corporation.
Galvin, Paul, 1895-1959
Mitchell, D. H.
Motorola, inc..
Stellner, Walter H.
Clock radios
Box 31, 32
Correspondence and Related Documents Subseries 7.1
1932-1953
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.75 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
Includes correspondence between Galvin and the Warren Telechron Company; and internal correspondence between Elliott and other
Galvin employees especially D.H. Mitchell (Galvin’s Chief Engineer) and Walter H. Stellner (Galvin Vice President).
Box 32-43
Technical Drawings: Tuners, Clocks and Assorted Parts Subseries 7.2
1929-1947
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
5.25 Linear feet
Box 43, 44
Sketches Subseries 7.3
1936-1945
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.5 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
Sketches of the home tuner set, solenoid tuner, gear tuners, and slug tuner.
Blueprints, Oversized Drawings and Related Documents Subseries 7.4
1938-1947
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
3.0 Linear feet
11 map folders
Box 59
Photographs Subseries 7.5
1937-1947
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.25 Linear feet
77 photographs
Scope and Contents note
Photographs of assorted clock faces and parts, Galvin/Motorola manufacturing facilities and assembly line workers.
Box 44
Assorted Materials Subseries 7.6
1938-1941
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.25 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
Primarily instruction manuals and radio station call letter tabs for clock/tuners.
Victor Talking Machine Co./R.C.A. - Victor Company, Inc. Series 8
1927-1933
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
2.5 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
In early 1927, Elliott began designing and producing radio receivers for home use for the Victor Talking Machine Company.
From 1929 through 1931, he worked as a Consulting Engineer at the company. This series is divided into four subseries: Correspondence
and Related Documents, Technical Memos and Reports, Photographs and Technical Drawings.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
RCA-Victor Company, inc..
Clock radios
Box 45
Correspondence and Related Documents Subseries 8.1
1927-1932
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.25 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
Correspondence between Elliott and Victor employees, including Edward J. Mastney and N.E. Wundelich; between Elliott and R.C.A.
- Victor’s Patent Department regarding patents for the Stabilized Amplifier System (Serial No. 311,491), Selective Radio Receiver
(Serial No. 271,862) and the Electronic Vacuum Tube System (Serial No. 186,039); and between Victor employees and third-party
parts vendors.
Box 45
Technical Memoranda and Reports Subseries 8.2
1930, 1933
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.25 Linear feet
1 folder, including 18 photographs
Scope and Contents note
Engineering Department memos and technical reports on radio receivers, including RCA Radiotron and Cunningham Types: 2A7,
6A7, 2B7, 6B7; Radiola 1930 Super-Heterodyne; Four-Circuit T.R.F. Development Receiver (includes photographs); Atwater Kent
model 70 Receiver; and the development of radio receiver equipped with "Selectivity-Fidelity” Switching Means.
Box 59
Photographs Subseries 8.3
undated
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.25 Linear feet
4 photographs
Scope and Contents note
Victor Radio Photographs (#20041, #20042, #20043 and #20044).
Technical Drawings Subseries 8.4
1928-1929
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
2.0 Linear feet
2 map folders (9 drawings)
Scope and Contents note
Group of technical drawings, primarily of radio receiver assembly and base.
Radio Research Laboratory at Harvard University Series 9
1939-1946
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
1.25 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
In February 1942, Dr. Frederick E. Terman convinced Elliott to join the Radar Counter-Measures Laboratory developing at the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. (Eventually the laboratory moved to Harvard University and became known as the Radio
Research Laboratory.) The series includes documents related to Elliott’s work as a Consultant with the Radio Research Laboratory
at Harvard University during the years 1942 through 1945 and is divided into five subseries: Correspondence and Related Documents,
Technical Manuals, Pamphlets and Reference Notebooks and Technical Drawings.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Harvard University. Radio Research Laboratory.
Terman, Frederick Emmons, 1900-1982
World War, 1939-1945
Box 45
Correspondence and Related Documents Subseries 9.1
1942-1946
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.25 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
Assorted correspondence and memoranda related to Elliott's employment and moving expenses; license agreements with Galvin;
authorizations to travel abroad; Terman's transition from the Radio Research Laboratory back to Stanford University.
Box 46
Technical Manuals, Pamphlets and Reference Notebooks Subseries 9.2
1939, 1943-1946
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.5 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
While at the Radio Research Laboratory, Elliott managed to save technical manuals, pamphlets and reference notebooks that
had previously belonged to Colonel O. W. Miller from the M.I.T. Radar School of the Army Electronics Training Center.
Technical Drawings Subseries 9.3
1943 and undated
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
2.0 Linear feet
2 map folders (6 drawings)
Hewlett-Packard Company Series 10
1945-1966
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
1.5 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
Beginning in 1953, Elliott worked as a consultant at the Hewlett-Packard Company. While the consulting arrangement continued
into the early 1960s, it is not clear when Elliott stopped working with Hewlett-Packard. The series includes documents related
to Elliott’s work as a Consultant with the Hewlett-Packard Company during the years 1953 through the early 1960s and is divided
into six subseries: Correspondence and Related Documents, Technical Drawings and Related Documents, Technical Reports, Technical
Articles, Brochures, Bulletins and Catalogs and Assorted Materials.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Hewlett-Packard Company.
Box 47
Correspondence and Related Documents Subseries 10.1
1956-1957
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.25 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
Internal correspondence between Elliott and Hewlett-Packard Company employees; inter-office correspondence regarding the 560A
Digital Recorder (printer); Elliott's reports on his work testing magnets and armatures.
Box 47-49
Technical Drawings and Related Documents Subseries 10.2
1954-1966
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
1.25 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
Drawings include the crop thinner clutch, tuner and timer; gear tuner; ticker printer; digital shaft positioner; oscilloscope
camera; other assorted parts.
Box 49
Technical Reports Subseries 10.3
undated
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.25 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
Includes a technical report entitled “A Small, Fast Digital Data Printer” by Edgar A. Hilton and Harold Elliott (Undated).
The report includes two technical drawings, one graph and two photocopies of parts.
Box 49
Technical Articles, Brochures, Bulletins and Catalogs Subseries 10.4
1945-1960
Physical Description:
0.5 Linear feet
Box 50-52
Other Companies Series 11
1932-1966
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
2.5 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
The series consists of Elliott’s documents connected to his work, or interest in work, with the Arcturus Radio Tube Company,
Bell Telephone Laboratories, Inc., Lapp Insulator Co. Inc., Litton Engineering Laboratories, Haydon Manufacturing Company,
Inc., Oak Manufacturing Company, General Electric Company, California Laundry Equipment Co., Noblitt-Sparks Industries, Inc.,
Zenith Radio Corporation, General Time Corporation, Telechron Inc., Coles Signal Laboratory, P.R. Mallory & Co., Inc. and
the U.S. Time Corporation. Includes correspondence, licensing agreements, and technical drawings.
Assorted Professional Materials Series 12
1923-1966
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
14.0 Linear feet
2.25 linear feet plus 25 map folders and 1 oversized box
Box 52, 53
Correspondence and Related Documents Subseries 12.1
1923-1966
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.75 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
Elliott's correspondence with vendors, financial institutions, and colleagues. Includes discussion between Cyril F. Elwell
and Elliott about possible television and radio patents (1933); correspondence between Elliott and Lincoln Walsh regarding
post-war work; correspondence between Elliott and various professional contacts regarding his clocks and tuners, timing and
tuning mechanisms and detent dial (1949-1952).
Box 54
Technical Drawings, Oversized Drawings and Related Documents Subseries 12.2
1924-1966
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
13.0 Linear feet
1 manuscript box and 25 map folders
Scope and Contents note
Elliott's drawings, on a variety of paper mediums, of his inventions, including push pull systems; Model D (TV Clock), Model
E (Range Clock), Models G and H (Range and TV Clocks), and Model N; clock faces; auto theft alarm; clock radio tuners; washing
machine/dryer timer; "Magic Memory Clock", and a "Minute/Kitchen Timer."
Box 55
Technical Manuscripts Subseries 12.3
1952 and undated
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.25 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
Three manuscripts authored by Elliott: patent specifications for an Electric Burglar Alarm (Undated), "An Engineer's Viewpoint"
(Undated), and "Kinetic Ether Theory Speculations upon Some Problems in Contemporary Physics" (June 1952).
Box 55
Marketing Proposals Subseries 12.4
1948-1966
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.25 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
Proposals prepared by Elliott to market his inventions, many including technical drawings and photographs, of latch-type and
gear-type multiple revolution tuners, radio clocks and tuners, multiple revolution detent dials, preselector clocks, and precision
timers for radio, television and appliances.
Box 57-59
Photographs Subseries 12.5
circa 1916-1965
Physical Description:
1.5 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
Black and white photographs primarily taken by Harold Elliott of his own inventions, mainly his radio clock and tuner parts
and assembly photographs. Also includes a series of professional portraits of Elliott with his relay set and clock taken by
Berton Crandall of Palo Alto, California, between 1937-1941, some of which were featured in the 1941 article, "Stanford in
Radio," part of a feature, "Stanford on the Job in Electrical Engineering."
Box 55, 56
Technical Pamphlets, Brochures and Catalogs Subseries 12.6
1921-1969
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.25 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
Assorted bulletins, catalogs for radio and electric equipment, including John A. Roebling's Sons Company, Majestic, Weston,
General Electric, and Leeds & Northrup - Micromax.
Box 56
Professional Organizations Subseries 12.7
1911-1969
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.25 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
Correspondence and receipts related to Elliott's professional organization memberships and subscriptions, including the Engineers
Club of San Francisco, American Institute of Electrical Engineers, and the Institute of Radio Engineers.
Harold F. and Winifred E. Elliott Personal Papers Series 13
1900-1965
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
8.25 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
Personal correspondence, financial and real estate records, educational material, assorted reference, and photographs belonging
to and created by Harold F. Elliott and his wife Winifred Estabrook Elliott. Included are Elliott's plans and architectural
drawings for their residence at 800 Westridge Drive, Portola Valley, California; Elliott's personal photographs beginning
with his student days at Stanford between 1911-1916 through to artistic photographs of the Santa Cruz Mountain foothills around
his home, taken circa 1950-1970.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Automobile travel--West (U.S.)
Dwellings--Design and construction
Home economics--Accounting
Marriage
Photography
Portola Valley (Calif.)
Southwest, New
Stanford University
Box 62-67
Correspondence Subseries 13.1
1922-1969
Physical Description:
2.75 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
Personal correspondence of Harold F. Elliott and Winifred Estabrook Elliott. Includes correspondence between Harold and Winifred
while they were dating and during the early years of their marriage; correspondence between both Harold and his mother, and
Winifred and her mother; correspondence between Winifred and her sister Marion; correspondence with other family members and
friends. Other significant personal correspondence relates to Harold Elliott's photography interests, his involvement with
Stanford University as both a lecturer (1932-1946) and as a class fundraising representative in the 1950s and 1960s. Assorted
financial and mail order correspondence is also included.
Box 67-70
Financial and Household Records Subseries 13.2
1916-1969
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
1.75 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
Harold and Winifred Elliott's medical records (Harold Elliott was a diabetic) and correspondence, automobile insurance and
maintenance records, banking and investment records, taxes, household moving receipts and invoices, assorted household receipts
and invoices, and real estate inquiries. This subseries includes Harold Elliott's architectural and interior design plans,
and background research for the home he designed at 800 Westridge Drive, Portola Valley, California (originally part of Menlo
Park), as well as Westridge subdivision architectural committee documents, and background on the debate over incorporation
of Portola Valley between 1957-1960.
Box 71
Educational Materials Subseries 13.3
1918-1934
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.5 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
Harold Elliott's loose notes and instructional texts from his courses at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business
(1933-1934), and Winifred Estabrook's educational material from San Jose State Normal School and Stanford University. Of note
are her handwritten lecture notes taken during summer courses at Stanford University (1918, 1920), which appear to be from
Lewis Terman's class (Education 17) on the hygiene of school children, as well as lecture notes from courses under Pauline
Sears and Ephraim Douglas Adams.
Box 71, 72
Assorted reference and mementos Subseries 13.4
1903-1969
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.75 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
Small number of Winifred Estabrook Elliott's childhood mementos, including her personal diary (1909-1911). Harold and Winifred
Elliott’s assorted reference material, including travel brochures, investment circulars, musical performance and art exhibition
programs, photography equipment brochures, and news clippings about Harold Elliott's photography exhibitions and talks at
local photography clubs (1906, 1947-1953).
Box 73-76
Photographs Subseries 13.5
1900-1965
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
2.5 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
Approximately 1170 black and white photographs taken by Harold Elliott, including a large series of prints from his days at
Stanford University (1911-1916), extensive images of early outdoor recreation and picnics with unidentified friends/family
members (circa 1908-1929), as well as his later exhibit photographs (circa 1947-1965). Includes a small number of family portraits.
Elliott’s artistic photographs are primarily of California and Southwestern landscapes, including mountain scenes, coastal
wildlife and beaches, desert sands and cliffs, and many of the foothills and oaks around his Portola Valley home. There are
a small number of images of Boston, Massachusetts churches; and a series from travels in Europe.
