The Harry Sello papers hold materials collected or created by Sello over the course of his career as an engineer at Shockley Semiconductor and Fairchild Semiconductor, as an independent consultant, and as an expert witness. The papers span 1954 through 2008 with the bulk of the collection being from 1960 to 1995. Most of the papers are professional in nature, having been collected over the course of his career.

Harry Sello was a key figure in the early semiconductor industry who worked at Shockley Semiconductor Laboratory and Fairchild Semiconductor during the 1960s and 1970s. Born on March 20, 1921 in Chernihiv, near Kiev, Ukraine, he and his family immigrated to Chicago in 1923. Sello attended the University of Illinois, earning a bachelor’s degree in chemistry in 1942. He then pursued a PhD in physical chemistry at the University of Missouri, leaving to serve in the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1946. After graduating in 1948, he moved to California to work as a research chemist at the Shell Development Corporation in Emeryville.

6.25 Linear feet 5 record cartons

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

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