Repository
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Title University of Pittsburgh Van de Graaff Accelerator Records Creator
University of Pittsburgh
Collection Number UA.90.8.29.1 Extent
3.75 Linear Feet
(3 boxes)
Date 1947-1974 Abstract This collection consists of letters, diagrams, catalogs, and reports documenting the University of Pittsburgh's construction of an advanced cyclotron, called the Van de Graaff Accelerator, in the early 1960s. Language
English
. Author Anish Bhagwat. Publisher ULS Archives & Special Collections Address University of Pittsburgh Library Systemhttp://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections History
A cyclotron is a powerful machine that has a wide array of applications for research in particle physics. It involves the use of a strong magnetic field to accelerate particles and resulting electric fields of varying strength to increase the speed at which they travel. In the early 1960s, the University of Pittsburgh was chosen to have one built on its campus that would be more powerful than others that had previously come before it. Pitt was able to secure over $1.6 million from the National Science Foundation and $1 million from the Sarah Mellon-Scaife Foundation to construct the building on campus.
Directed by Dr. James McGruer, construction began in November 1962 and was completed in March 1964. The first beams of protons were achieved in 1965 and the building itself was dedicated in 1966. Eventually, the building was renamed the Nuclear Physics Laboratory, although the building still goes by both names. Since its dedication, the accelerator has been an integral piece of equipment for both student and faculty research. Additions to the accelerator were made in the early 1970's to increase the power output of the machine.
Scope and Content Notes This collection consists of letters, diagrams, catalogs, and reports documenting the University of Pittsburgh's construction of an advanced cyclotron in the early 1960s. These records involve correspondence written from contractors to the university, along with letters to and from different faculty involved with the project. Reports from the contractors and architects tasked with construction are present, along with the resulting blueprints and diagrams for the building itself. Records that span from the early discussions and proposals for the project to updates to the building after its completion are also found.
Access Restrictions
No restrictions.
Acquisition Information
Transferred from the University of Pittsburgh Department of Physics and Astronomy in June 2015.
Copyright
The University of Pittsburgh holds the property rights to the material in this collection, but the copyright may still be held by the original creator/author. Researchers are therefore advised to follow the regulations set forth in the U.S. Copyright Code when publishing, quoting, or reproducing material from this collection without the consent of the creator/author or that go beyond what is allowed by fair use.
Preferred Citation
University of Pittsburgh Van de Graaff Accelerator Records, 1947-1974, UA.90.8.29.1, University Archives, University of Pittsburgh Library System
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Anish Bhagwat in June 2019 thanks to a grant from the Center for History of Physics, American Institute of Physics.
Subjects Geographic Names Pittsburgh (Pa.) -- Buildings, structures, etc. Other Subjects Nuclear physics University of Pittsburgh Container List Series I. Skidmore, Owings & Merrill Scope and Content Notes Chicago architectural and engineering firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (S.O.M.) was hired by the University of Pittsburgh to design and oversee construction of the Van de Graaff accelerator building beginning in 1961. This series includes correspondence from S.O.M. to the University of Pittsburgh, primarily the Physics department and the university architect, as well as contractors like the George A. Fuller Company and material suppliers.
Correspondence , August 23, 1961-May 17, 1962 Containers box 1 , folder 1 Weekly Construction Reports (Unfiled) , November 1, 1961 Containers box 1 , folder 2 Recapitulation , November 10, 1961 Containers box 1 , folder 3 Correspondence , May 18-July 11, 1962 Containers box 1 , folder 4 Recapitulation , July 2, 1962 Containers box 1 , folder 5 Correspondence , July 16, 1962-February 12, 1963 Containers box 1 , folder 6 Changes to Drawings and Specifications , July 30-October 25, 1962 Containers box 1 , folder 7 Correspondence , August 10-September 4, 1962 Containers box 1 , folder 8 Electrical Energy Analysis Report , August 24, 1962 Containers box 1 , folder 9 Correspondence , September 7, 1962-June 6, 1963 Containers box 1 , folder 10 Correspondence , September 7-October 5, 1962 Containers box 1 , folder 11 Material Submittals , October 5, 1962 Containers box 1 , folder 12 Correspondence , October 15-November 30, 1962 Containers box 1 , folder 13 Transmittals , October 19, 1962-February 5, 1963 Containers box 1 , folder 14 Correspondence , October 22-December 27, 1962 Containers box 1 , folder 15 Correspondence , December 3, 1962-January 15, 1963 Containers box 1 , folder 16 Color and Material Schedule , December 27, 1962 Containers box 1 , folder 17 Correspondence , January 2-February 8, 1963 Containers box 1 , folder 18 Correspondence , January 21-March 11, 1963 Containers box 1 , folder 19 Transmittals , February 11-April 29, 1963 Containers box 1 , folder 20 Revised Hardware Schedule , February 1, 1963 Containers box 1 , folder 21 Correspondence , February 11-March 30, 1963 Containers box 1 , folder 22 Notification of Change Order , February 15-May 7, 1963 Containers box 1 , folder 23 Correspondence , March 9-April 30, 1963 Containers box 1 , folder 24 Correspondence , April 1-June 11, 1963 Containers box 1 , folder 25 Notification of Change Order , April 16-May 23, 1963 Containers box 1 , folder 26 Transmittals , April 30, 1963-April 9, 1964 Containers box 1 , folder 27 Correspondence , May 1-June 13, 1963 Containers box 1 , folder 28 Notification of Building Change , May 21, 1963 Containers box 1 , folder 29 Correspondence , June 13-July 31, 1963 Containers box 1 , folder 30 Correspondence , June 17-July 9, 1963 Containers box 1 , folder 31 Recapitulation and Schedule , June 19, 1963 Containers box 1 , folder 32 Electrical Data Sheet , July 3, 1963 Containers box 1 , folder 33 Correspondence , July 1-December 3, 1963 Containers box 1 , folder 34 Notification of Change Order , July 8-August 22, 1963 Containers box 1 , folder 35 Correspondence , July 15-July 31, 1963 Containers box 1 , folder 36 Correspondence and Monthly Construction Reports , July 19, 1963 Containers box 1 , folder 37 Correspondence , August 1-31, 1963 Containers box 1 , folder 38 Correspondence , August 1-September 18, 1963 Containers box 1 , folder 39 Correspondence , September 3-30, 1963 Containers box 1 , folder 40 Notification of Change Order , September 5, 1963-February 10, 1964 Containers box 1 , folder 41 Correspondence , September 23-October 31, 1963 Containers box 1 , folder 42 Correspondence , October 2-28, 1963 Containers box 1 , folder 43 Hinge Structure Calculations , October 25, 1963 Containers box 1 , folder 44 Correspondence , October 30-December 27, 1963 Containers box 1 , folder 45 Correspondence , November 1-December 30, 1963 Containers box 1 , folder 46 Correspondence , January 2-February 6, 1964 Containers box 1 , folder 47 Correspondence , January 2-February 25,1964 Containers box 1 , folder 48 Correspondence , January 6-June 19, 1964 Containers box 1 , folder 49 Correspondence , February 10-April 7, 1964 Containers box 1 , folder 50 Notification of Change Order , February 24-August 19, 1964 Containers box 2 , folder 1 Correspondence , March 2-April 30, 1964 Containers box 2 , folder 2 Correspondence , April 15-May 28, 1964 Containers box 2 , folder 3 Correspondence , May 4-August 25, 1964 Containers box 2 , folder 4 Correspondence , June 1-July 23, 1964 Containers box 2 , folder 5 Correspondence , August 4, 1964-June 7, 1965 Containers box 2 , folder 6 Heating and Ventilation Architectural and Mechanical Drawings Containers box 2 , folder 7 Series II. Lasley K. Lacewell Scope and Content Notes Lasley K. Lacewell was an inspector in the Physical Plant office of the University of Pittsburgh assigned to serve as the university's field representative for the project. In that role, Lacewell oversew progress on the construction of the Van de Graaff accelerator building and managed the overall construction site. This series includes correspondence and reports documenting the day to day activities and progress of the building's construction.
Correspondence , November 14, 1962-April 30, 1963 Containers box 2 , folder 8 Correspondence , May 1, 1963-January 29, 1964 Containers box 2 , folder 9 Correspondence , February 3-September 4, 1964 Containers box 2 , folder 10 Weekly Update Report Correspondence , November 23, 1962-June 26, 1964 Containers box 2 , folder 11 Daily Construction Reports , October 19, 1962-January 25, 1963 Containers box 2 , folder 12 Daily Construction Reports , February 2-April 12, 1963 Containers box 2 , folder 13 Daily Construction Reports , April 15-June 28, 1963 Containers box 2 , folder 14 Daily Construction Reports , July 5-October 4, 1963 Containers box 2 , folder 15 Daily Construction Reports , October 14-December 27, 1963 Containers box 2 , folder 16 Daily Construction Reports , January 3-March 27, 1964 Containers box 2 , folder 17 Daily Construction Reports , April 3-June 12, 1964 Containers box 2 , folder 18 Daily Construction Reports , June 19-September 4, 1964 Containers box 2 , folder 19 Weekly Construction Reports , October 19, 1962-October 4, 1963 Containers box 2 , folder 20 Weekly Construction Reports , October 18, 1963-September 25, 1964 Containers box 2 , folder 21 Monthly Construction Reports , November 14, 1962-August 14, 1964 Containers box 2 , folder 22 Series III. University of Pittsburgh Scope and Content Notes This series includes correspondence and memoranda from the University of Pittsburgh concerning the design and construction of the Van de Graaff accelerator building. Also included is the initial project proposal, as well as several subsequent proposals for equipment and upgrades. This series also contains drawings for several pieces of equipment utilized in the building and floor plans.
Cyclotron Correspondence , March 2, 1947-August 29, 1956 Containers box 2 , folder 23 Grants and Proposals (AEC, NSF) , October 17, 1959-May 4, 1962 Containers box 2 , folder 24 Van de Graaff Accelerator Proposal , March 1, 1960 Containers box 2 , folder 25 Supplement to Van de Graaff Accelerator Proposal , November 1, 1960 Containers box 2 , folder 26 David Halliday Correspondence , November 1, 1960-April 24, 1961 Containers box 2 , folder 27 Congressional and National Science Foundation Support Correspondence , May 2, 1961-April 2, 1962 Containers box 2 , folder 28 Memoranda , November 16, 1961-July 18, 1962 Containers box 2 , folder 29 Van de Graaff Expenses and Progress Reports , 1961-1962 Containers box 2 , folder 30 Van de Graaff Construction Organization Charts , February 12-September 23, 1963 Containers box 2 , folder 31 Correspondence and Dedication , April 3, 1962-May 6, 1966 Containers box 2 , folder 32 Correspondence , August 15, 1962-February 5, 1963 Containers box 2 , folder 33 Correspondence , October 26, 1962-July 8, 1964 Containers box 2 , folder 34 Correspondence, City of Pittsburgh , December 3, 1962-June 21, 1963 Containers box 2 , folder 35 Blasting Notices , December 14, 1962-January 7, 1963 Containers box 2 , folder 36 Correspondence , February 8-July 31, 1963 Containers box 2 , folder 37 Proposal for Equipment Grant , April 8, 1963 Containers box 2 , folder 38 Correspondence, City of Pittsburgh , June 28, 1963-May 29, 1964 Containers box 2 , folder 39 Correspondence , August 7-December 30, 1963 Containers box 2 , folder 40 Foreign Correspondence , September 13, 1963-January 2, 1964 Containers box 2 , folder 41 Correspondence , January 2-December 14, 1964 Containers box 2 , folder 42 Neutral Source Test Notes , January 9-10, 1964 Containers box 2 , folder 43 Correspondence , February 5-June 29, 1964 Containers box 2 , folder 44 Maintenance and Operating Instructions , May 15, 1964 Containers box 3 , folder 1 Correspondence , July 2, 1964-March 5, 1966 Containers box 3 , folder 2 Door Design , January 15, 1962-October 28, 1963 Containers box 3 , folder 3 Van de Graaff Building Costs and Layouts , March 14-16, 1962 Containers box 3 , folder 4 Electrical, Heating, and Cooling Calculations , June 28-August 21, 1962 Containers box 3 , folder 5 Beam Drawings , November 12, 1962-February 29, 1963 Containers box 3 , folder 6 Electrical Information , November 21, 1962-February 17, 1964 Containers box 3 , folder 7 Architectural Designs , December 14, 1962-December 11, 1963 Containers box 3 , folder 8 Architectural Drawings , December 17, 1962-January 27, 1963 Containers box 3 , folder 9 Electric/Power Supply , December 21, 1962-March 14, 1963 Containers box 3 , folder 10 Van de Graaff Building Floor Plans , December 31, 1962 Containers box 3 , folder 11 Architectural and Mechanical Drawings , January 1-August 2, 1963 Containers box 3 , folder 12 Lockset Designs , January 7, 1963 Containers box 3 , folder 13 Architectural Designs , January 11-February 15, 1963 Containers box 3 , folder 14 Architectural Diagrams , January 23-March 27, 1963 Containers box 3 , folder 15 Final Approved Design , January 24, 1963 Containers box 3 , folder 16 Sheet Metal Designs , January 29-April 9, 1963 Containers box 3 , folder 17 Architectural and Mechanical Drawings , February 28-April 22, 1963 Containers box 3 , folder 18 Schedule of Yale Hardware , April 1, 1963 Containers box 3 , folder 19 Lighting Fixtures , September 11-16, 1963 Containers box 3 , folder 20 Job Memorandums (1-7) , May 2, 1961-March 5, 1962 Containers box 3 , folder 21 Job Memorandums (8-14) , April 2-September 10, 1962 Containers box 3 , folder 22 Instructions to Bidders (Sections 1-14) , June 22, 1962 Containers box 3 , folder 23 Instructions to Bidders (Sections 15-39) , June 22, 1962 Containers box 3 , folder 24 Instructions to Bidders (Sections 41-54) , June 22, 1962 Containers box 3 , folder 25 Instructions to Bidders (Sections 55-70) , June 22, 1962 Containers box 3 , folder 26 Instructions to Bidders (Sections 80-85) , June 22, 1962 Containers box 3 , folder 27 Concrete Test Papers , December 4, 1962-February 14, 1963 Containers box 3 , folder 28 Concrete Test Papers , February 18-July 27, 1963 Containers box 3 , folder 29 Concrete Test Papers , July 27-October 21, 1963 Containers box 3 , folder 30 Concrete Test Papers , October 22, 1963-May 8, 1964 Containers box 3 , folder 31 Proposal for the Conversion of the Pittsburgh 18 MeV Van de Graaff into a 24 MeV EN-SUPER-FN Facility , March 1, 1971 Containers box 3 , volume 1 Proposal for Transfer of Army Model FN Tandem Van de Graaff Accelerator to University of Pittsburgh Nuclear Physics Laboratory , March 1, 1974 Containers box 3 , volume 2 Series IV. Contractors Scope and Content Notes This series includes correspondence and progress reports from several contractors and equipment suppliers used during the construction of the Van de Graaff accelerator building. Also included are equipment catalogs from several companies considered during the bidding process.
George A. Fuller Company Correspondence , October 26, 1962-May 13, 1963 Containers box 3 , folder 32 George A. Fuller Company Correspondence , May 14, 1963-August 13, 1964 Containers box 3 , folder 33 George A. Fuller Company Progress Report , November 1, 1962-February 1, 1963 Containers box 3 , folder 34 George A. Fuller Company Progress Report , April 1-July 1, 1963 Containers box 3 , folder 35 George A. Fuller Company Monthly Progress Report , August 2-November 1, 1963 Containers box 3 , folder 36 George A. Fuller Company Monthly Progress Report , December 5, 1963-March 2, 1964 Containers box 3 , folder 37 George A. Fuller Company and Limbach Maintenance and Operating Instructions Containers box 3 , folder 38 Limbach Correspondence , March 8-September 30, 1963 Containers box 3 , folder 39 Ackenheil & Associates Inc. Correspondence , November 2, 1962-May 15, 1963 Containers box 3 , folder 40 Ackenheil & Associates Inc. Architectural Diagrams , October 31, 1962-February 15, 1963 Containers box 3 , folder 41 Ackenheil & Associates Inc. Architectural Diagrams , March 4-April 2, 1963 Containers box 3 , folder 42 Tuttle & Bailey Grille and Diffuser Schedule , September 25, 1957-November 28, 1962 Containers box 3 , folder 43 Equipment Catalogs Containers box 3 , folder 44 Equipment and Product Catalogs Containers box 3 , folder 45 
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