Description
The John Newell collection on the history of the electric automobile includes 22 boxes of print and photographic materials
documenting Newell's role as a co-founder of the California Electric Automobile Association (EAA) and as a hobby enthusiast
of the electric vehicle during the 1970s through the early 1990s. The collection includes photographs, correspondence, newsletters,
subject files, and a sampling of project papers and schematics for electric vehicle conversion projects. A limited amount
of biographical related materials about Newell is also included in the collection.
Background
John Newell (b. 1910 d. 1998) graduated from Kansas University; and after a long career with oil companies in Oaklahoma, music
instrument manufacturer C.G. Conn, and the Defense Department at Point Mugu in Southern California, he moved to the Bay Area
in 1957 to work as a systems engineer at Lockheed Missiles and Space until retiring. He became co-founder and Chair of the
Board of Directors of the Electric Automobiles Assocation (EAA) in 1967, an interest-based organization that was the outcome
of a symposium on the Electric Auto held that same year and organized by the Engineering Department at San Jose State College.
The EAA provided an opportunity for the exchange of information and ideas about the electric automobile among engineers and
enthusiasts alike.
Extent
7.4 Linear Feet
(20 manuscript boxes)
Restrictions
While Special Collections is the owner of the physical and digital items, permission to examine collection materials is not
an authorization to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. Any transmission
or reproduction beyond that allowed by fair use requires permission from the owners of rights, heir(s) or assigns.
Availability
Open for research, with the exception of born-digital materials, which are closed until processed. Note that material must
be requested at least 36 hours in advance of intended use. Audiovisual materials are not available in original format, and
must be reformatted to a digital use copy.