Guide to the Walter Brattain Family Papers
1860-1990

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Table of Contents
  Overview of the Collection
   
  Biographical Note
   
  Content Description
   
Use of the Collection
   
Administrative Information
   
Detailed Description of the Collection

 

Correspondence

 

Career

 

Reference Materials

 

Photographs

 

Audio and Video Recordings

 

Medals and Artifacts

 

Family Histories

 

Correspondence

 

Family Personal Papers

 

Photographs

 

Artifacts and Clippings

  Subjects

Overview of the Collection

Creator: Brattain, Walter H.
Title: Walter Brattain Family Papers
Dates: 1860-1990 ( inclusive )
1901-1990 ( bulk )
Quantity: Approximately 38 linear feet (45 boxes)
Collection Number: USHTM_WCMss22
Summary: This collection contains the scientific and personal papers of Walter Brattain, an inventor of the transistor and winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics, in addition to his family papers.
Repository: Whitman College and Northwest Archives

345 Boyer Ave.
Walla Walla, WA 99362
(509) 527-5922
archives@whitman.edu
www.whitman.edu/archives
Languages: Materials are in English 
Sponsor: Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Biographical Note

Walter Houser Brattain was born on Feb. 10th, 1902 in Amoy, China. He was the son of Ross R. Brattain and Ottilie Houser, the oldest of their five children. Two of his sisters died very young; he spent his childhood in Washington State with his third sister, Mari Brattain, and his brother, R. Robert Brattain. The Brattain family had many Whitman College connections: Ross and Ottilie met at Whitman and Ross graduated from the college in 1901. Walter graduated from Whitman in 1924 with majors in Physics and Math under Professors Benjamin H. Brown (Physics) and Walter A. Bratton (Math).

There were three other physicists of note who graduated in Walter Brattain’s class: Walker Bleakney, E.J. Workman, and Vladimir B. Rojansky, with whom he collaborated over the years. The four of them were known as Whitman’s “Four Horsemen of Physics.” While a Whitman student, Brattain was passionate about math, an excellent tennis player and member of the Kirkman Club, a fraternal group.

After receiving his Bachelor of Science degree from Whitman, Brattain was awarded a Masters of Arts by the University of Oregon in 1926 and a Doctorate of Philosophy by the University of Minnesota in 1929. After completing his graduate studies, Brattain worked for the radio section of the National Bureau of Standards in Washington, D.C., from 1927 to 1928. In 1929 he joined the technical staff of Bell Telephone Laboratories and worked as a research physicist until his retirement in 1976. During World War II, he was associated for 22 months with the National Defense Research Committee at Columbia University, working on magnetic detection of submarines. Brattain was a visiting lecturer at Harvard University during the fall of 1952 and a visiting lecturer at Whitman College between 1962 and 1963, becoming a visiting professor between 1963 and 1972 and an adjunct professor from 1972 until 1976. He remained afterwards as a consultant at Whitman.

Brattain was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1956, with Dr. John Bardeen and Dr. William B. Shockley, “for research on semiconductors and the discovery of the transistor effect.” These three American physicists invented the transistor on December 23, 1947, at the American Telephone and Telegraph Company at Bell Laboratories. The transistor’s name derives from the descriptive phrase “transfer of signal through varsitor.” The transistor is a solid state device involved in connecting battery power to signal power. As a key element in amplifying small electrical signals and in processing of digital information, it is today an active component in all electronic systems. Brattain received honorary Doctor of Science degrees from Portland University in 1952, from Whitman College and Union College in 1955, and from the University of Minnesota in 1957. In 1952 he was awarded the Stuart Ballantine Medal of the Franklin Institute, and in 1954 the John Scott Medal. The degree at Union College and the two medals were received jointly with Dr. John Bardeen, in recognition of their work on the transistor. In 1974, he was named to the National Inventors Hall of Fame.

Brattain was a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the Franklin Institute, a Fellow of the American Physical Society, and a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He was also a member of the commission on semiconductors of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics and of the Naval Research Advisory Committee. At Whitman, he was nominated to membership in Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Xi. He also served as an Overseer for the college.

The chief field of Brattain’s research was the surface properties of solids, as well as research directed at (1) thermionic emission and absorbed layers on tungsten, phospholipids bylayers or membranes rectification and (2) photo effects at semiconductor surfaces (ergo, cuprous oxide, silicon and germanium). Among his contributions are the discoveries of photo effect at the free surface of a semiconductor, the invention of the point-contact transistor jointly with Dr. John Bardeen, and shared research on piezoelectric frequency standards, magnetometers, blood clotting, and infrared detectors.

Walter Brattain married Dr. Keren Gilmore (chemist) in 1935 and had a son, William G. Brattain, in April, 1943. Keren died in April 1957. In May, 1958, he married Mrs. Emma Jane (Kirsch) Miller, a Whitman College alumna. He had three stepchildren and 10 grandchildren. Walter Brattain died on October 13, 1987, in Seattle, Washington, of Alzheimer’s disease.

Content Description

The collection is divided into two sections: materials created by Walter Brattain in the context of his profession and career (series 1-6), and materials created by the Brattain family (series 7-11).

The Walter Brattain papers contain correspondence between Brattain and his collaborators, Bell Laboratories, Nobel Prize-related correspondence, and letters to other Whitman College alumni. Brattain’s writings include his autobiography, speeches, and scientific publications. In addition, the collection contains materials related to his teaching career, research notes, numerous awards and honors, and travels to conferences around the world. The collection also contains photographs of college and reunions, dinner ceremonies and awards, scientific experiments, transistors, and conference trips, specifically those to China and Europe. Rounding out the collection are published scientific papers, awards and diplomas, newspaper clippings, and audio and video recordings.

The Brattain family papers include family histories, correspondence, writings, and photographs. The correspondence series contains letters written or received by members of the Brattain family, including Walter, Ross and Ottilie, Emma Jane, and Keren Brattain. Also included are family and vacation photos. An extensive collection of glass lantern slides documents scenes of daily life in China in the early 1900s. The two groups of materials are not unrelated and some materials might be valuable to both sections but integrated only in one.

Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Access :  

Restrictions are noted.

Restrictions on Use :  

Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. Copyright not transferred to Whitman College.

Preferred Citation :  

Walter Brattain Family Papers, Whitman College and Northwest Archives, Walla Walla, Washington.

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information :  

Donated to the Whitman College and Northwest Archives by William and Evelyn Brattain in 1990.

Detailed Description of the Collection

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

Series 1.:  Correspondence, 1921-1982
4 linear feet  ;  4 boxes

Boxes 1-3: General correspondence (incoming and outgoing) arranged by year

Box 4: Correspondence (incoming and outgoing) arranged by writer or recipien

Container(s)
Description
Dates
Box/Folder
1/1 General Correspondence 1923-1939
1/2 General Correspondence 1940-1949
1/3 General Correspondence 1950-1951
1/4 General Correspondence January-May 1952
1/5 General Correspondence June-December 1952
1/6 General Correspondence 1953
1/7 General Correspondence 1954
1/8 General Correspondence 1955
1/9 General Correspondence 1956
1/10 General Correspondence 1957
1/11 General Correspondence 1958
1/12 General Correspondence January-April 1959
1/13 General Correspondence May-December
1/14 General Correspondence 1960
1/15 General Correspondence January-June 1961
1/16 General Correspondence July-December 1961
2/1 General Correspondence January-April 1962
2/2 General Correspondence May-December 1962
2/3 General Correspondence January-May 1963
2/4 General Correspondence June-December 1963
2/5 General Correspondence 1964
2/6 General Correspondence 1964
2/7 General Correspondence 1965
2/8 General Correspondence 1965
2/9 General Correspondence 1966
2/10 General Correspondence 1966
2/11 General Correspondence January-May 1967
2/12 General Correspondence June-December 1967
3/1 General Correspondence 1968
3/2 General Correspondence 1969
3/3 General Correspondence 1970
3/4 General Correspondence 1971
3/5 General Correspondence 1972
3/6 General Correspondence 1973
3/7 General Correspondence 1974
3/8 General Correspondence 1975
3/9 General Correspondence 1976
3/10 General Correspondence 1977
3/11 General Correspondence 1978
3/12 General Correspondence 1979
3/13 General Correspondence 1980
3/14 General Correspondence 1981-1982
4/1 Autographs 1979-1982, undated
4/2 Autograph Requests (Denied) 1980-1982, undated
4/3 Roland Bainton Correspondence 1973
4/4 Walker Bleakney Letter 1925
4/5 R. Robert Brattain Correspondence and Papers 1965, undated
4/6 Benjamin Brown Correspondence 1925
4/7 Henry Jackson Correspondence 1 1965-1969
4/8 Henry Jackson Correspondence 2 1970-1981
4/9 John Scott Award Correspondence 1955
4/10 Lindau Correspondence 1981-1982
4/11 “Mike” Long Correspondence 1972-1973
4/12 Publishers Correspondence 1972-1978
4/13 Reference Letters 1963-1979
4/14 Vladimir Rojansky 1944-1981
4/15 Round Robin Letters – Walter Brattain, Vladimir Rojansky, E.J. Workman, and Walker Bleakney 1928-1929
4/16 Donald Rudin and Paul Mueller Correspondence 1966-1967
4/17 “Understanding Science” Lectures Correspondence 1975-1978
4/18 Whitman College Correspondence 1962-1964
4/19 Whitman College 50th Anniversary of the Class of 1924 Correspondence 1974
4/20 Nobel Letters and Family Correspondence 1942-1956
4/21 Correspondence - Miscellaneous 1966-1980
4/22 From Nobel winners to Pope 1965
4/23 Letters to Congressmen and President 1975
4/24 Answered Congratulations 1956
4/25 Nobel Prize Congratulations Telegrams 1956
4/26 Nobel Prize Congratulations Letters and Cards 1956-1957
4/27 Nobel Prize Congratulations Letters 1956
4/28 Vladimir Rojansky and Walker Bleakney Letters 1924-1974
4/29 From Whitman Alumni to Walter Brattain 1921-1928
4/30 Harvard Engineering School – Walker Bleakney 1924-1937
4/31 Letters to and from Vladimir Rojansky 1924, 1974
4/32 Round Robin Booster Letters 1928-1930
4/33 Letters from Walker Bleakney to Walter Brattain 1925-1931
4/34 Background information on the November 7, 1925, letter of Walker Bleakney to Vladimir Rojansky and Walter Brattain undated
4/35 John Bardeen undated
4/36 Hector Chevigny undated
4/37 Letters from Wheaton Kraft 1916-1929
4/38 William Shockley undated
4/39 Foreign Correspondence 1971-1976
4/40 Walter Bratton 1942

^ Return to Top

Series 2.:  Career, 1917-1989
11 linear feet  ;  11 boxes

This series documents Walter Brattain’s career as a student and teacher of physics, as well as his scientific research, speeches, and writings. In addition, this series contains information on the conferences he attended and the professional memberships and accolades he received.

Container(s)
Description
Dates
Sub-series 1: Teaching
Walter Brattain taught at Whitman College from the late 1960s through the early 1970s. He taught several physics courses, as well as general science courses designed to help students “understand natural phenomena.”
Box/Folder
5/1 Science 51 Final Exams undated
5/2 Science 51 Grade Book RESTRICTED UNTIL 2040 undated
5/3 Science 51 Lectures 1967-1967
5/4 Science 51 Lectures 1970
5/5 Science 51 Lectures 1971
5/6 Science 51 Master Lectures undated
5/7 Science 51 Mid-Semester 1971
5/8 Science 51 Original Lectures, 1-9 undated
5/9 Science 51 Original Lectures, 10-13 undated
5/10 Science 51 Notes undated
5/11 Science 51 Review undated
5/12 Science 52 Exams 1966-1972
5/13 Science 52 Grades 1967
5/14 Science 52 Lectures undated
5/15 Science 52 Lectures 1969
5/16 Science 52 Lectures 1971
5/17 Science 52 Master Lectures undated
5/18 Science 52 Notes 1968
5/19 Science 52 Original Lectures 1 undated
5/20 Science 52 Original Lectures 2 undated
5/21 Science 52 Quiz undated
5/22 Science 52 Review undated
5/23 Science 52 Supplementary Material undated
5/24 Science 51 and 52 Tests, Quizes, and Review Stencils undated
5/25 Science 51 and 52 Tear Sheets undated
6/1 96B Solid State undated
6/2 Physics 243 Assignments and Tests undated
6/3 Physics 243 Experiments undated
6/4 Physics 243 Lectures undated
6/5 Physics 297 Lectures undated
6/6 Class Names undated
6/7 Continental Classroom undated
6/8 Corrected Lectures undated
6/9 Cost of Revising Lectures undated
6/10 Dates of Talks and Papers for Minnesota undated
6/11 Grades and Miscellaneous RESTRICTED UNTIL 2040 undated
6/12 Lecture Book Notes undated
6/13 Master Lectures undated
6/14 Master Lectures Extras undated
6/15 Minnesota 1953
6/16 Notes on Physics of Transistors and Semiconductors Course undated
6/17 Revised Lectures undated
6/18 Sample Lectures 1 and 12 undated
6/19 Teaching Transistor Physics undated
6/20 Transcripts of Minnesota Lectures undated
6/21 University of Washington Summer Institute undated
6/22 Differential Equations of Mathematical Physics undated
6/23 Electrical Engineering Laboring Notes undated
6/24 Old Exam Questions, Minnesota and Earlier undated
6/25 Optics undated
6/26 Physics Department Notes undated
6/27 Physics Folder undated
6/28 Spring Quarter Dynamics Notes undated
6/29 University of Oregon Advanced Elective Course Notebook undated
Sub-series 2: Transistor-Related Materials
This sub-series contains articles, photographs, speeches, and other materials related to the development of the transistor. Included are writings and correspondence by Walter Brattain, as well as materials he collected.
Box/Folder
7/1 “Experiments Leading Up to the Discovery of the Transistor,” talk given at conference in Bell Telephone Laboratories 1948
7/2 Articles on Transistor’s Invention 1948
7/3 Transistor Promotional Photographs 1940s
7/4 Transistor Press Releases 1948
7/5 Transistor’s Discovery 1940-1980
7/6 Discovery Photos undated
7/7 Transistor Memorandum undated
7/8 Transistor Articles 1948
7/9 Transistor Talks 1948
7/10 “The Story of the Transistor” 1958
7/11 “Genesis of the Transistor” undated
7/12 “Genesis of the Transistor” Memorandum undated
7/13 “Genesis of the Transistor” Miscellaneous undated
7/14 “Genesis of the Transistor” Pamphlets 1972
7/15 Correspondence Regarding Publication of “Genesis of the Transistor” 1975
7/16 Published “Genesis of the Transistor” 1968
7/17 “Genesis of the Transistor” Reference Material undated
7/18 Transistor Articles 1948-1979
7/19 Transistor Patents 1953
7/20 Early Transistor Article Clippings 1948-1955
7/21 Tenth Anniversary of the Transistor 1958
7/22 Essay on the Tenth Anniversary of the Transistor 1958
7/23 20th Anniversary of the Transistor 1968
7/24 25th Anniversary of the Transistor 1972
7/25 25th Anniversary of the Transistor 2 1972
7/26 25th Anniversary of the Transistor 3 1972
7/27 25th Anniversary Statement undated
7/28 Transistor Anniversary & Clippings 1972-1981
7/29 Transistor Circuits Miscellaneous 1952-1954
7/30 J. Bardeen and W.H. Brattain, “The Transistor, A Semi-Conductor Tale” 1948
7/31 J. Bardeen and W.H. Brattain, “Physical Principles Involved in Transistor Action” 1948
7/32 J. Bardeen, W.H. Brattain, W. Shockley, and G.L. Pearson, “The Transistor and Related Experiments” 1948
7/33 Transistor Miscellaneous 1972
7/34 “Transistor Resisters” undated
7/35 Charles Weiner, “The Social Inventions Behind the Transistor” 1972
7/36 “The Physics of Transistors and Semiconductors” Booklet undated
7/37 Bell Labs Correspondence and Soundsheet 1956-1975
7/38 Press Release - Transistors 1948
7/39 Transistor Clippings 1948-1987
7/40 Nobel Clippings 1956-1963
7/41 Transistor and Nobel Publications 1948-1984
7/42 Walter Brattain, “Discovery of the Transistor Effect: One Researcher’s Personal Account,” in Adventures in Experimental Physics undated
45/1 Picture and Data for the First Transistor 1947
Sub-series 3: Speeches and Writings
This sub-series includes handwritten and typewritten manuscripts as well as published articles written or co-authored by Walter Brattain. The bound collections of Bell Telephone Systems monographs include a number of articles by Walter Brattain.
Box/Folder
8/1 Autobiography undated
8/2 “Saga of An Expedition to Stockholm, Sweden, December, 1956” (multiple copies) undated
8/3 “Contacts Between Metals and Semiconductors” undated
8/4 “Development of Concepts in Semiconductor Research” Promotional Poster 1959
8/5 Dun’s Review Statement undated
8/6 “Is the Scientist Morally Responsible for the Use of His Discovery?” undated
8/7 Harvard Engineering School Exam: Vladimir Rojansky, Walker Bleakney, and Walter Brattain 1924, 1974
8/8 Response to Senator Thomas Henning re: Secrecy and Science undated
8/9 “How to Justify Scientific Research at the Executive Level – In Government – In Defense Department” undated
8/10 “The Physics of Transistors,” Outline of Speech 1949
8/11 Lecture Promotional Clippings 1952-1968
8/12 Lipid Papers 1968-1970
8/13 Local College Talks undated
8/14 “Man and The Universe” 1959
8/15 Northwest Conference on College Physics – outline of talk and experiment notes 1963
8/16 Meteor Sighting undated
8/17 “Semiconductors,” talk given to Metropolitan Section of American Physical Society 1937
8/18 “Oscillographic Study of Discharge of Condenser Through Inductance and Resistance and Spark Gap,” Thesis, University of Oregon 1926
8/19 Talk given at Phi-Beta Kappa and Stories 1970
8/20 “A Pint’s A Pound The World Around” undated
8/21 Papers undated
8/22 The Physics of Transistors and Semiconductors, including “The Copper Oxide Rectifier” by Brattain undated
8/23 “Remarks on NIN Group” undated
8/24 “Reminiscences of 40 Years in Physics” undated
8/25 American Institute of Physics History 1981
8/26 Special Talks, 1 1957-1963
8/27 Special Talks, 2 1959-1976
8/28 “Genesis of the Transistor” Correspondence 1965-1966
8/29 “Genesis of the Transistor,” notes and publicity, sponsored by Albuquerque, New Mexico Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. 1978
8/30 Speech Given at Dedication of Boeing’s Research Building and Speech Given to High School Students 1960-1961
8/31 “Some Points about Surface Phenomena” 1970
8/32 Talks 1956-1968
8/33 Testimony 1 1961-1965
8/34 Testimony 2 1965
8/35 Testimony 3 undated
8/36 Transcripts of Interviews Taken on Tape Recorder 1964, 1974
8/37 “The University in A Troubled Society” undated
8/38 Northwest Conference on College Physics 1963
8/39 “Man and the Universe,” Whitman College Centennial Lecture 1959
8/40 “What is Science?” Washington State University Lecture 1971
8/41 “Genesis of the Transistor,” Washington State University Lecture 1979
8/42 “Optical Constants of Germanium” 1948
8/43 Continental Classroom, “Physics for the Atomic Age,” NBC Television Script 1959
8/44 W.H. Brattain and W. Shockley, “Density of Surface States on Silicon Deduced from Contact Potential Measurements” 1947
8/45 W.H. Brattain and L.G. Pearson, “Changes in Conductivity of Germanium Induced by Alpha-Particle Bombardment” 1950
8/46 “Efficiency of Excitation by Electron Impact and Anomalous Scattering in Mercury Vapor,” Thesis, University of Minnesota 1929
8/47 P.J. Boddy and W.H. Brattain, “Electrical Properties of the Anodically Etched Germanium Surface” 1963
8/48 P.N. Sawyer, Kwang-Tzen Wu, S.A. Wesolowski, W.H. Brattain, and P.J. Boddy, “Electrochemical Precipitation of Blood Cells on Metal Electrodes: An Aid in the Selection of Vascular Prostheses?” 1965
8/49 A.M. Portis, A.F. Kip, C. Kittel, and W.H. Brattain, “Electron Spin Resonance in a Silicon Semiconductor” 1953
8/50 “Evidence for Surface States on Semiconductors from Change in Constant Potential on Illumination” 1947
8/51 “Historical Development of Concepts Basic to the Understanding of Semiconductors” 1968
8/52 W.H. Brattain and P.J. Boddy, “Interaction of Iodide Ion with Germanium Electrodes” 1965
8/53 J. Bardeen, W.H. Brattain, and W. Shockley, “Investigation of Oxidation of Copper by Use of Radioactive Cu Tracer” 1946
8/54 T.M. Buck and W.H. Brattain, “Investigations of Surface Recombination Velocities on Ge by the Photoelectromagnetic Methods” 1955
8/55 “Irreversible Electrochemical Precipitation of Mammalian Platelets and Intravascular Thrombosis” 1964
8/56 “Introduction to the Chemistry and Physics of Surfaces” undated
8/57 P.N. Sawyer, K.T. Wu, S.A. Wesolowski, W.H. Brattain, and P.J. Boddy, “Long-Term Potency of Solid-Wall Vascular Prosthesis” 1965
8/58 Memorandum: “A Vacuum System for Vaporization of Metal Contacts Onto Copper-Oxide Varistors” (includes photographs) 1937
8/59 Old Abstracts 1930-1937
8/60 College Association for Public Events and Services (California) 1968
8/61 D.R. Kalkwarf, D.L. Frasco, and W.H. Brattain, “Current Rectification and Action Potentials Across Thin Lipid Membranes” and “Ion-Diffusion Potentials and Electrification Rectification Across Lipid Membranes Activated by Excitation-Induced Material” 1972
8/62 W.H. Brattain and P.J. Boddy, “Surface States at a Germanium-Electrolyte Interface” 1962
8/63 “Rectification Series” abstract 1946
8/64 P.J. Boddy and W.H. Brattain, “Residual Surface Recombination of Germanium Anodes” 1965
8/65 “Semiconductor Surface Phenomena” 1950
8/66 “Photo Cells at the Surface of a Semiconductor” (including photographs) 1944
8/67 W.H. Brattain and C.G.B. Garrett, “Surface Properties of Germanium and Silicon” 1954
8/68 “Surface Properties of Semiconductors,” lecture to the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences 1956
8/69 J.A. Becker and W.H. Brattain, “Thermionic Work Function of Slope and Intercept of Richardson Plots” 1934
8/70 Varistors, including “The Copper Oxide Varistor” by Walter Brattain undated
8/71 D.R. Kalkwarf, D.L. Frasco and W.H. Brattain, “Current Rectification and Action Potentials Across Thin Lipid Membranes” undated
8/72 J.A. Becker and W.H. Brattain, “Useful Equations in the Design of Thermistors” 1944
8/73 “Development of Concepts in Semiconductor Research,” Richtmyer Lecture 1956
8/74 “Dependence of Small Signal Parameters of n-p-n Transistors on Width of Collector Space Charge Layer” 1953
8/75 “John Dewey” Essay undated
8/76 “Paper for Cross Roads” circa 1925
8/77 Personal undated
9/1 Bell Telephone System Monographs, volume 1 1947-1950
9/2 Bell Telephone System Monographs, volume 2 1950-1952
9/3 Bell Telephone System Monographs, volume 3 1951-1953
9/4 Bell Telephone System Monographs, volume 4 1953-1954
9/5 Bell Telephone System Monographs, volume 5 1954-1955
9/6 Bell Telephone System Semiconductor Monographs, volume 1 1946-1951
9/7 Bell Telephone System Semiconductor Monographs, volume 2 1952-1953
9/8 Bell Telephone System Semiconductor Monographs, volume 3
9/9 Reprints of Articles by Walter Brattain 1949-1962
Sub-series 4: Conferences
This sub-series includes itineraries, pamphlets, and correspondence related to conferences Walter Brattain attended around the world.
Box/Folder
10/1 Itinerary for Stockholm Trip 1956
10/2 Amsterdam Conference 1953-1954
10/3 Basel, Switzerland, International Union of Pure and Applied Physics 1966
10/4 Boston 1971
10/5 Brussels and Europe 1958
10/6 Brussels International Physics Conference (Photos) 1958
10/7 Brussels Telecommunications Exposition 1958
10/8 California Institute of Technology Albuquerque Trip 1978
10/9 California Institute of Technology’s 75th Anniversary 1966
10/10 Cambridge – 10th International Conference on the Physics of Semiconductors 1970
10/11 China undated
10/12 China Trip Directory 1979
10/13 Columbia Basin College 1968
10/14 Conference on Physics of Semiconductor Surface 1956
10/15 Devices Research Conference 1957
10/16 Europe 1965
10/17 Europe 1971
10/18 Europe 1973
10/19 Europe Reservations and Expenses 1958
10/20 Exeter Attendees 1962
10/21 Gordon Conference 1977
10/22 Gustavius Adolphus 1975
10/23 International Conference on the Physics and Chemistry of Solid Surface Guest List 1969
10/24 Photo Identification for the International Conference on Semi-Conductors 1950
10/25 Japan, 1 1958
10/26 Japan, 2 1959
10/27 Japan 1966
10/28 Korea 1973
10/29 Kwajalein, Marshall Islands: Bell Laboratories Conference 1973
11/1 Lindau Attendees 1962
11/2 Lindau - Exeter 1962
11/3 Lindau 1965
11/4 Lindau 1968
11/5 Lindau Attendee List 1973
11/6 Lindau – Meeting of Nobel Prize Winners 1979
11/7 London Institute of Electrical Engineers 1959
11/8 London – 50th Meeting of the Naval Research Advisory Committee 1961
11/9 London 1974
11/10 Moscow 1968
11/11 Northwest Regional Energy Conference 1978
11/12 Paris 1975
11/13 Physics of Semiconductors Conference 1970
11/14 Pittsburg Convocation of Nobel Laureates 1981
11/15 Pittsburg Convocation of Nobel Laureates Photographs 1981
11/16 Portland, Oregon, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) May 27, 1968
11/17 Portland, Oregon, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1968
11/18 Prague, (Czechoslovakia) Czech Republic 1960
11/19 Providence Conference on the Physics and Chemistry of Solid Surfaces 1964
11/20 Reading – First Trip 1950
11/21 Rochester Semiconductor Conference 1958
11/22 Russian Visits 1956-1963
11/23 Stockholm 1975
11/24 Solid State Seminar 1964-1965
11/25 Stuttgart 1964
11/26 Taipei 1973
11/27 Tehran 1965
11/28 Transistor Conferences 1948, 1950
11/29 Travel 1972-1973
11/30 Trip Expense Accounts 1948-1960
11/31 Versailles Conference 1975
11\/32 Visiting Scientists Program in Physics 1959-1961
Sub-series 5: Experiments and Data
Box/Folder
12/1 Α (Alpha) Particles undated
12/2 Ana Data 1968
12/3 Ana Data 1969
12/4 Ana Data 1970
12/5 Apparatus undated
12/6 Auxiliary Data and Calculation undated
12/7 CaCl undated
12/8 Circuit Problems undated
12/9 Data Notes, 1 undated
12/10 Data Notes, 2 undated
12/11 Data Notes, 3 undated
12/12 Data, 4 undated
12/13 Data and Averages undated
12/14 Data on EIM-activated membranes 1974
12/15 Data on EIM-activated membranes July, 1971
12/16 Equations and Proofs undated
12/17 Figures undated
12/18 Figures and Tables undated
12/19 Delta G versus Y undated
12/20 J.A. Hornbeck and P.W Foy, “Ohmic Contacts as a Source of Reverse Saturation Currents in p-n Junctions,” paper abstract 1952
12/21 Index Refraction undated
12/22 Inductance, 1 undated
12/23 Inductance, 2 undated
12/24 KCl data undated
12/25 KFl/KBr/(CH3)4HCl/NH4Cl undated
12/26 K2SO4 undated
12/27 Lipids, 1 undated
12/28 Lipids, 2 undated
12/29 Microscopic Examination of the Copper-Cuprous Oxide Interface of Copper-Oxide Varistors, with Plates undated
12/30 Miscellaneous Experiments undated
12/31 NaCl undated
12/32 Nerves undated
12/33 Optical Constants of Ge Papers undated
12/34 Optical Thickness undated
12/35 Optical Thickness undated
12/36 Patent Application number 11,165 (Continuation of Transistor) undated
12/37 Patent Application Infra-Red Detectors and Recorder 1962
12/38 Patent Application November 14, 1955
12/39 Patents 1 to 6 undated
12/40 Patents 1-7, 3-9 (Brattain- Bardeen) undated
12/41 Patents 4-11, 5-12, 6-13 (Brattain – Bardeen) undated
12/42 Patent – Three Electrode Circuit (John Bardeen and Walter Brattain) 1950
12/43 Insulators undated
13/1 Progress Reports 1929
13/2 Notebook Inventories undated
13/3 “The Results of a Study of the Current Voltage Characteristics of Cu2O Rectifier Unit” 1935
13/4 Rhodium Plating undated
13/5 Germanium Etches undated
13/6 Salt Bias undated
13/7 Silicon undated
13/8 Silicon n and k Data undated
13/9 Silicon Rectifier undated
13/10 Silicon Reports, etc. undated
13/11 Theory of Semiconductors and Rectification undated
13/12 Transmissions Through Thin Films undated
13/13 “A Vacuum System for Vaporization of Metal Contacts onto Contact Oxide Varistors” 1937
13/14 Vapor Pressure undated
13/15 Lab Notebooks undated
45/2 Membrane Data Charts 1977
Sub-series 6: Honors, Awards, and Recognitions
Box/Folder
13/16 Awards and Certificates 1953-1966
13/17 Defense Science Board 1966
13/18 Nobel Science Hall Dedication, Gustavus Adolphus College, Minnesota 1963
13/19 Washington Centennial Hall of Honor Catalog 1989
13/20 University of Oregon Alumnus of the Year Award 1976
13/21 University of Minnesota Honorary Doctor of Science Degree 1957
13/22 Nobel Prize Announcement 1956
13/23 Nobel Prize Ceremony Invitation 1956
13/24 Nobel Transistor Demonstration Materials 1956
13/25 Nobel Ceremony Activities 1956
13/26 Nobel Trip Expenses 1956
13/27 Nobel Laureates Dinner at White House 1962
13/28 Recognitions and Articles 1966-1981
13/29 Retirement, Bell Labs 1967
13/30 Correspondence with Sweden before and after Nobel Trip 1956 – 1957
13/31 Correspondence List for Nobel Congratulations undated
13/32 Nobel Prize Congratulations and Clippings 1956
13/33 Nobel Prize Clippings and Anniversary Celebrations 1956-1982
13/34 Nobel Laureate Day Photo Album 1957
14/1 American Institute of Physics 1957
14/2 Awards 1925, 1953
14/3 Brain Life Research Foundation 1982
14/4 Federation of American Scientists 1959
14/5 Franklin Institute 1952
14/6 Franklin Institute - Stuart Ballantine Medal 1952
14/7 National Inventors Hall of Fame 1974-1975
14/8 Washington State Historical Society Hall of Honor 1981
14/9 Historical Library and Museum of Science and Technology 1957
14/10 International Conference on the Unity of the Sciences (ICUS) 1978-1981
14/11 ICUS & Reverend Sun Myung Moon 1975-1976
14/12 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Awards 1981
14/13 International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP) 1968-1973
14/14 International Union of Pure and Applied Physics 50th anniversary 1972
14/15 International Union of Pure and Applied Physics, General Information and Report of the General assembly 1963
14/16 International Union of Pure and Applied Physics 1965
14/17 USA National Committee of International Union of Pure and Applied Physics 1965-1969
14/18 Joint Center for Graduate Study Advisory Committee 1973
14/19 Land Grant College Dinner 1961
14/20 Museum of Science and Industry – Nobel 1980
14/21 National Academy of Sciences 1965-1971
14/22 National Academy of Sciences – Members Directory 1981
14/23 National Academy of Sciences Pamphlets 1970-1982
14/24 National Academy of Sciences 1974
14/25 National Academy of Sciences 1975 – 1977
14/26 National Academy of Sciences 1979
14/27 National Science Foundation 1980
14/28 Portland Rotary Club 1966
14/29 John Scott Medal clippings 1955
14/30 Semiconductor Equipment and Materials Institute (SEMI) 1977
14/31 Sigma Xi 1966-1970
15/1 Stoics 1 1966-1977
15/2 Stoics 2 1962-1966
15/3 Stoics 3 1962-1964
15/4 Walla Walla Chamber of Commerce Award - Clippings 1957
15/5 Bell Advancement 1964
15/6 Bell Telephone Laboratories Press Releases with Photographs 1954
15/7 Bell Laboratories Publications 1948-1983
15/8 Bell Laboratories News 1 1968-1982
15/9 Bell Laboratories News 2 1962-1975
15/10 Fortune 1958
15/11 Magazine Articles about Walter Brattain 1956-1968
15/12 Battelle Memorial Institute 1969-1972
15/13 Official Transcript Nobel Conference Proceedings – Shaping the Future 1971
15/14 Convocation of Nobel Laureates 1981
15/15 Nobel Announcement 1956
15/16 Nobel Dedication 1963
15/17 Nobel Laureates White House Dinner 1962
15/18 Nobel Photo – Prized Minds undated
15/19 “Nobel Prize for Physics” 1956
15/20 Reproduction of Alfred Nobel’s Signature undated
15/21 Swedish Newspaper Clippings for Nobel Awards 1956
15/22 Alexander Dees De Sterio, Nobelpreistrager in Lindau 1964
15/23 Erich Bagge, Die Nobelpreistrager der Physik 1964
15/24 Alexander Dees De Sterio, Nobel fuhrte sie zusammen Begegnungun in Lindau, signed by Walter Brattain 1975
16/1 Scrapbook Album, Texas Instruments Dedication, Walter Brattain Honored Guest 1958
16/2-4 Scrapbooks, Retirement from Bell Labs, 3 Volumes 1967
45/3 Naval Research Advisory Committee certificate of membership 1960
45/4 Life magazine article: Nobel Winners at White House Dinner 1962
45/8 Diplomas, Certificates and Awards 1917-1984

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Series 3.:  Reference Materials, 1860-1989
6 linear feet  ;  6 boxes

This series consists of science articles and subject files collected by Walter Brattain, reflecting his professional and personal interests. Some files also contain related correspondence.

Container(s)
Description
Dates
Box/Folder
16/5 Robert E. Ackerman, “Report to National Academy of Sciences: Senior Scientist Exchange Program to the U.S.S.R. undated
16/6 Artificial Heart Program 1966
16/7 Astronomy articles 1964-1967
16/8 Auroral Plasma Experimental Papers 1977
16/9 Basic Constants undated
16/10 Hanford 200 Bev accelerator 1965-1970
16/11 “Bioelectric Control of Bioluminescence in the Dinoflagellate Noctiluca” 1965
16/12 C.G.B. Garrett, “Surface Thermodynamics” undated
16/13 Benjamin Brown, Whitman College professor 1981
16/14 Tektronix, “A Practical Approach to Transistor and Vacuum Tube Amplifiers” 1967
16/15 “Conductance of the Sodium Channel in Mylinated Nerve Fibers with Modified Sodium Inactivation” 1976
16/16 “The Work Required to Remove an Electron from a Conducting Sphere” undated
16/17 Cordiner Hall Acoustics 1965-1972
16/18 Copper Oxide Material 1969-1976
16/19 Student Dissent 1969
16/20 DNA 1961-1964
16/21 Drell Report – Arms Control 1977
16/22 “Drugs and Transport Processes” undated
16/23 Earth Weighing Machine, including photograph undated
17/1 Ecological Crises Readings 1965-1970
17/2 Ecology Copies 1975-1976
17/3 “The Electrical Activity of the Nervous System” 1964
17/4 Energy and Ecology, including notes by Brattain 1967-1975
17/5 Energy Per Bit 1970
17/6 Energy Policy 1977
17/7 Environment 1969-1973
17/8 Genetic Codes undated
17/9 Germanium 1961-1966
17/10 Hodgkin – Huxley articles 1952
17/11 “Ion Transport Across the Lipid Membranes: A Critical Discussion of Mechanism in Selected Systems” 1972
17/12 “Ion Transport Through Excitability-Inducing Material (EIM) Channels in Lipid Bilayer Membranes” 1972
17/13 Karl Jansky—search for intelligent life, photographs of Bell Laboratories undated
17/14 “Schottky’s Theories of Dry Solid Rectifiers” 1944
17/15 Professor Sergey Kalashnikov, exchange visit to Walla Walla 1967
17/16 “Kinetic Characteristics of the Excitability- Inducing Material Channel in Oxidized Cholesterol and Brain Lipids Bilayer Membranes” 1975
17/17 “Kinetics of the Opening and Closing of Individual Excitability- Inducing Material Channel in a Lipid Bilayer” 1974
17/18 Benjamin Brown, A Little Astronomy pamphlet 1927
17/19 A. H. Madjid Articles – Crystals 1972
17/20 “The Logic of Measurement in Quantum Physics” undated
17/21 Metallurgy 1948, 1970
17/22 “Molecular Model-Potentials: Combination of Atomic Boxes” undated
17/23 Mueller and Rudin—Bimolecular Lipid Membranes 1962-1976
17/24 “The Nature of the Negative Resistance in Bimolecular Lipid Membranes Containing Excitability-Inducing Material” 1970
17/25 The Nature of Science 1976
17/26 National Geographic article: “Those Inventive Americans,” including section on transistor 1970-1971
17/27 Pacific Science Center 1979-1980
17/28 Plate Tectonics 1961-1971
17/29 Research in Science Education 1978-1980
17/30 “Resting Potentials, Action Potentials, and Potassium Selectivity in Experimental Bimolecular Lipid Membrane” 1966, 1980-1981
17/31 Science Articles 1970-1973
17/32 Benjamin Brown, “Seeing Walla Walla First” undated
17/33 Semiconductor Bibliography 1945
17/34 Solid-State Physics History 1979
17/35 “Stability of the Myelin Membrane” 1965
17/36 Benjamin Brown, “The State-line Earthquake at Milton and Walla Walla” 1936
17/37 Thermistor Bolometers 1946
17/38 Thermistor Reports 1947
17/39 Thermistor – High Speed 1946
17/40 Time Charts undated
17/41 Tungsten 1925-1927
18/1 John Bardeen Biography of Walter Brattain 1989
18/2 Biographical and Bibliographical Information 1945-1981
18/3 Biography undated
18/4 Current Biography – Who’s News & Why 1957
18/5 New Book of Knowledge Articles (Biography & Discovery of the Transistor) 1947-1978
18/6 Who’s Who Biography 1974-1981
18/7 Campbell Gay - story undated
18/8 Foreign Clippings 1956-1971
18/9 Nobel Articles (not related to Brattain) 1978, undated
18/10 A Nobel Laureate and his Nobel Laureate Friends 1977
18/11 Personal News 1958
18/12 Post Nobel Articles about Brattain 1955-1960
18/13 Post – Nobel News 1961-1977
18/14 Post – Retirement Research and Opinions 1959-1979
18/15 Recent Visitors to the Laboratories 1955
18/16 Rock & Roll Regret 1980
18/17 Alumni Funds 1978-1979
18/18 Alumni Funds 1980
18/19 Drive for Brown Chair of Physics 1957
18/20 Faculty – Governing Boards Conference 1966
18/21 Four Horsemen Reunion 1974
18/22 Retirement to Whitman - Clippings 1967
18/23 Small College Promotion 1971
18/24 Tributes to Brown 1967
18/25 Trustees and Overseers 1968-1976
18/26 Whitman College Alumni Association Appreciation Awards 1980
18/27 “Whitman Scientists” – address by William Fairbank 1981
18/28 Why Whitman? 1958-1979
18/29 Amoy Club Rulebooks 1898, 1902
18/30 John Bardeen 1968
18/31 John Bardeen Biography, Encyclopedia Americana 1965
18/32 Brattain School article and photographs undated
18/33 Harold Brown Inaugural Address 1969
18/34 Bulletin of the College of Engineering National Chiao Tung University 1971 – 1972
18/35 Census of Lane County Oregon 1860
18/36 Colleagues’ Addresses undated
18/37 College Related Clippings (not Whitman) 1952-1964
18/38 Electoral College 1969
18/39 “40 and 20 Years Ago in the Record” 1968
18/40 Harvard 1952, 1962
18/41 High School Students 1962
18/42 “History of Inventions” undated
18/43 History of Physics Center 1971
18/44 International Project in the History of Solid State Physics 1983
18/45 Invitation to Help Fund an International Council for Scientific Development 1982
18/46 James Killian Address 1961
18/47 Key Reporter 1981
18/48 Miscellaneous Articles 1954-1980
18/49 Naval Research Reviews 1981
18/50 “Night of the One-Eyed Devils” undated
18/51 China Tour and Presentation 1979
18/52 Recruiting 1955
18/53 The Science Fair Story of Electronics 1983
18/54 Scientific Source Materials: A Note on Their Preservation 1963
18/55 Scientists Obituaries 1960-1981
18/56 A Selection of Manuscript Collection at American Repositories 1969
18/57 Maria Stern Transcript 1974
18/58 “Time” Article on Invention 1960
18/59 University of Minnesota Clippings 1957-1977
18/60 University of Oregon 1976
18/61 Walla Walla Chamber of Commerce 1956-1961
18/62 The Widening Circle 1958
18/63 William Jewell College 1977-1979
19/1 The Transistor: Selected Reference Material on Characteristics and Applications 1951
19/2 “Transistron = Transistor Plus?” 1950
19/3 Education and Science Articles 1974-1978
19/4 Technology Review 1981-1982
19/5 Vacuum Tubes 1915-1920
19/6 Ling Wei Articles 1972-1973
19/7 Bell Telephone Laboratories, Electron Tubes and Varistors undated
19/8 National Academy of Sciences 1964-1982
19/9 The White House 1979
19/10 Register of Ph.D. Degrees, University of Minnesota, 1888-1938 1939
19/11 P.J. Boddy Articles 1966, undated
19/12 Physics Today Special Issue: John Bardeen 1992
19/13 C.J. Davisson and L.H. Germer articles 1922-1928
19/14 Translated Articles 1938-1964
19/15 Neils Bohr Articles 1963
19/16 Materials Submitted to Franklin Mint Researcher 1982
19/17 Lillian Hartmann Hoddeson Essays 1978-1980
19/18 Reprinted Science Articles 1921-1967
19/19 Physics Today – 50 Years of Physics in America 1981
19/20 Moran School Pamphlets 1914-1920
19/21 Bell Laboratories Record 1938, 1941, 1983
19/22 Benjamin Brown – Oersted Medal 1937-1950
19/23-24 Benjamin Brown Fund 1956 – 1977
20/1 Bell Telephone System Technical Publications 1925-1938
20/2 International Union of Pure and Applied Physics newsletters 1967-1968
20/3 Science: American Association for the Advancement of Science 1976-1977
20/4 Clippings from Scientific Magazines 1967-1981
20/5 Scientific Pamphlets 1930-1976
20/6 Adventures in Experimental Physics, vol. 5 1976
20/7 Electronics: Special Commemorative Issue, vol. 53, no. 9 1980
20/8 10th International Conference on the Physics of Semiconductors, Extended Abstracts 1970
20/9 C.L. Peterson, “Properties of Linear Active Four-Poles: Applications to Transistors” 1948
20/10 NBC Television Network, “The Story of Continental Classroom” undated
20/11 Bell Telephone Laboratories, “Some Contributions to Transistor Electronics” 1949
20/12 Congers Herring and M.H. Nichols, “Thermionic Emission” undated
20/13 Cinquante Ans Avec Le Progres, copy specially printed for Walter Brattain undated
20/14 “Lectures on Statistical Mechanics” undated
20/15-17 Collected Stoic Papers, Volumes XVIII, XIX, AND XX 1951-1961
20/18 Scientific Publications 1976-1983
21/1 Bell Telephone System Monographs 1946-1965
21/2 Hunger in the World, Resolution Signed by Nobel Winners 1981
21/3 “The Science Fair Story of Electronics,” Radio Shack Educational Comic Book 1982
21/4 “Transistors: Fundamentals for the Integrated-Circuit Engineer” 1983
21/5 “Progress in Electronics” envelopes and stamps, first day of issue 1973
21/6 Walla Walla League of Women Voters publications 1962-1974
21/7 Historical Clippings undated
21/8 Clippings about Walter Brattain 1956-1987, undated
21/9-11 Whitman College Alumni/Faculty Files on Walter Brattain 1955-1987, undated

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Series 4.:  Photographs, 1920-1981
1.7 linear feet  ;  6 boxes

Photographs document Walter Brattain’s activities as a student, teacher, and scientist.

Container(s)
Description
Dates
Sub-series 1: Glass Lantern Slides
Box/Folder
22/1-11 Electronic Schematics undated
22/12-22 Nobel Ceremony 1956
22/23-24 Graphs and Geological Illustrations undated
Sub-series 2: Prints and Negatives
Box/Folder
23/1 Portraits of Walter Brattain – small prints undated
23/2 Portraits of Walter Brattain – large prints undated
23/3 Portraits of Walter Brattain - negatives undated
23/4 Four Horsemen of Physics: Walter Brattain, Walker Bleakney, Vladimir Rojansky, and E.J. Workman 1924-1974, undated
24/1 College Scenes 1920-1976, undated
24/2 Whitman College 1920-1978, undated
24/3 Teaching and Lectures 1955-1973, undated
25/1 Laboratory Scenes 1929-1979, undated
25/2 Time, Inc. Photographs of Walter Brattain 1964
25/3 Transistor Invention undated
25/4 Nobel Award Ceremony 1956
26/1 Awards and Celebrations 1971-1981, undated
26/2 Conferences 1950-1979, undated
27/1 Naval Research Advisory Committee 1961-1967
27/2 Gatherings and Colleagues 1960-1981, undated
45/7 Photographs and Posters of Walter Brattain and Collaborators at Bell Telephones undated

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Series 5.:  Audio and Video Recordings, 1969-1979, undated
1.8 linear feet  ;  2 boxes

Recordings include interviews and presentations about Walter Brattain, as well as other materials collected by him.

Container(s)
Description
Dates
Box
28 Vinyl Recordings – Oral Reminiscences of Nobel Ceremony undated
28 2 Tape Cassettes – Walker Bleakney Retirement Dinner 1969
28 Tape Cassette – Visit with Leonard Woodcock 1979
28 Tape Cassette – Escape From Russia (1917), A Personal Account by Vladimir Rojansky February 1972
28 Tape Cassette – George Castille Lecture undated
28 Videocassette – “To Communicate is the Beginning” undated
28 2 Videocassettes – Walter Brattain, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1978
28 Reel-to-Reel Tape: “Interview with the Inventors of the Transistor,” transcript included undated
28 16 mm Film – National News: “Impact of Transistor – 25 Years!” undated
28 16 mm Film – Science World: “Silver Anniversary for Transistors!” undated
29 Film Roll and Pamphlets – “Walter Brattain on Semiconductor Physics” undated

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Series 6.:  Medals and Artifacts, 1924-1987
5.7 linear feet  ;  5 boxes

Recordings include interviews and presentations about Walter Brattain, as well as other materials collected by him.

Container(s)
Description
Dates
Box
30 Nobel Prize Personal Diploma 1956
30 Dictionary of International Biography Illustrated Plaque 1979
30 Wooden Plaque – Photographs of Walter Brattain, Walker Bleakney, E.J. Workman, and Vladimir B. Rojansky 1924-1974
30 Naval Weapons Center Advisory Board Plaque 1967-1968
30 Seattle World’s Fair Bell Telephone Exhibit 1962
30 National Academy of Sciences Centennial Medal 1963
30 National Classical Music Institute Medallion, South Korea 1973
30 Seoul National University Wooden Medallion undated
30 Seoul High School Visit Cloth Banner 1973
30 National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges Medal 1987
30 50 Years of Electronics Commemorative Coin Plaque 1980
30 Columbia University World War II – For Participation in the Work of the Division of War Research (metal plaque) undated
31 Sigma Pi Sigma National Physics Honor Society Membership Certificate, William Jewell College 1979
31 Certificate of Life Membership in the Telephone Pioneers of America undated
31 Sigma Pi Sigma Honorary Membership Plaque 1979
32 “Cernunnos,” by Holly Sweeney (made out of semiconductor equipment and materials) 1977
33 One of the First Radium Tubes for Inserting in Cancerous Tissue undated
33 Pieces of Experiment Element undated
33 Transmitter undated
46 John Scott Medal 1954
46 Nobel Prize Medal 1956

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Series 7.:  Family Histories, 1911, undated
0.2 linear feet  ;  6 folders

This series includes genealogical and historical information gathered about the Brattain and Houser families.

Container(s)
Description
Dates
Box/Folder
34/1 Brattain Family History undated
34/2 Brattain Family Genealogy undated
34/3 “Journal of the Oregon Trail” by Lafayette Spencer, mentions Paul Brattain undated
34/4 Agnes McCalley Brattain’s Story undated
34/5 Frances Brattain Worthington’s Story undated
34/6 Spokesman-Review article about Houser family flour mill at Colville 1911

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Series 8.:  Correspondence, 1896-1987
1.8 linear feet  ;  2 boxes

Family correspondence has been sorted by family member, encompassing both incoming and outgoing letters. Some overlap exists with correspondence between family members, which has been filed under the sender’s name when possible. Emma Jane, Keren, Ross and Ottilie, and Walter Brattain are major correspondents in this series.

Container(s)
Description
Dates
Box/Folder
34/7 From Agnes Brattain to Family 1920-1942
34/8 From Emma Jane to Walter Brattain 1960-1961
34/9 From Emma Jane to Walter Brattain 1962
34/10 From Emma Jane to Walter Brattain 1963-1965
34/11 Cards and Letters to Emma Jane Brattain 1962-1979
34/12-13 Cards and Letters to Emma Jane Brattain re: Walter Brattain’s Death 1987
34/14 From Keren to Walter Brattain 1934-1935
34/15 From Keren Brattain to Family 1935-1939
34/16 From Keren Brattain to Family 1940-1949
34/17 From Keren Brattain to Family 1950-1953
34/18 To Keren Brattain from Family 1921-1938
34/19 Ottilie Brattain: Outgoing Correspondence (From China) 1896, 1901-1902
34/20 Ottilie Brattain: Outgoing Correspondence 1905-1910
34/21 Ottilie Brattain: Outgoing Correspondence 1913-1919
34/22 Ottilie Brattain: Outgoing Correspondence 1925, 1928-1929
34/23 Ottilie Brattain: Outgoing Correspondence 1942, 1954-1957
35/1 Ross Brattain: Outgoing Correspondence (From China) Ross Brattain: Outgoing Correspondence (From China)
35/2 Ross Brattain: Outgoing Correspondence 1904-1921
35/3 Ross Brattain: Outgoing Correspondence (From China) 1924
35/4 Ross Brattain: Outgoing Correspondence 1926-1947
35/5 Ross Brattain: Outgoing Correspondence (From Orogrande, Idaho) 1942-1956
35/6 Ross Brattain: Outgoing Correspondence (From Mercer Island) 1942-1960
35/7 Ross and Ottilie Brattain: General Correspondence (In China) 1902
35/8 Ross and Ottilie Brattain: Incoming Correspondence 1901-1904
35/9 Ross and Ottilie Brattain: Incoming Correspondence 1905-1906
35/10 Ross and Ottilie Brattain: Incoming Correspondence 1907-1908
35/11 Ross and Ottilie Brattain: Incoming Correspondence 1909-1910
35/12 Ross and Ottilie Brattain: Incoming Correspondence 1911-1915
35/13 Ross and Ottilie Brattain: Incoming Correspondence 1916-1927
35/14 Ross and Ottilie Brattain: Incoming Correspondence 1928-1935, 1956
35/15 From Walter Brattain to Family 1915-1923
35/16 From Walter Brattain to Family 1926-1928
35/17 From Walter Brattain to Family 1929-1934
35/18 From Walter Brattain to Family 1935-1942
35/19 From Walter to Keren Brattain 1934-1935, 1939
35/20 From Walter to Ottilie Brattain re: Transistor 1948
35/21 Walter Brattain Personal Correspondence 1922-1957, undated
35/22 Correspondence re: Walter Brattain and Emma Jane Miller Wedding 1958
35/23 Letters from Brattain Relatives 1903-1941

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Series 9.:  Family Personal Papers, 1897-1989
0.8 linear feet  ;  1 box

Personal papers include writings and other documents generated or collected by Emma Jane, Ross, and other family members.

Container(s)
Description
Dates
Sub-series 1: Emma Jane Brattain
Box/Folder
36/1 Advertisements and Ephemera 1946-1964, undated
36/2 Alaska Trip 1976
36/3 Booklets and Calendars 1952-1984, undated
36/4 Fifty-Year-Plus News Research Files 1988-1989
36/5 Rogers Walla Walla Canning Company/ Country Gardens Inc. Records 1966-1967
36/6 Roland Miller Papers 1951-1954
36/7 Walla Walla Symphony Society 1973 - 1976
Sub-series 2: Ross Brattain
Box/Folder
36/8 Spokane High School Class Roll undated
36/9 Marriage Certificate of Ross and Ottilie Brattain 1901
36/10 Chinese Consul Appointment 1902-1906
36/11 Stock Certificates 1905-1912
36/12 Orogrande Mine Records 1942-1957
36/13 Writings and Reminiscences 1958-1985, undated
36/14 Family History Research undated
36/15 Wagon Wheel Blood, typed manuscript undated
36/16 Wagon Wheel Blood, excerpts and corrections undated
36/17 Wagon Wheel Blood, corrected manuscript 1979
36/18 Wagon Wheel Blood, part one undated
36/19 Wagon Wheel Blood, part two undated
Sub-series 3: Other
Box/Folder
36/20 Brattain Family Quit-Claim Deeds and Land Patents 1916-1936
36/21 Ottilie Houser, Whitman College report card 1897
36/22 Walter Brattain, Selective Service Notices of Classification 1942-1943
36/23 Planners and Notes 1951-1964

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Series 10.:  Photographs, 1901-1979, undated
2.6 linear feet  ;  8 boxes

Glass lantern slides document vivid scenes of daily life in China, including people, boats, temples, and landscapes. These slides were probably taken during Ross and Ottilie Brattain’s time as missionaries there from 1901 to 1904. Prints and negatives include images of Brattain family members and travel scenes.

Container(s)
Description
Dates
Sub-series 1: Glass Lantern Slides
Box
37-40 140 Glass Lantern Slides circa 1901-1904
Sub-series 2: Prints and Negatives
Box/Folder
41/1 Portraits undated
41/2 Photo Album Pages undated
42/ Travel and Leisure 1950-1979, undated
43/1 Family History Research 1900, undated
43/2 R. Robert Brattain Photographs 1901-1902, undated
43/3 Ross Brattain Photographs undated
43/4 Negatives undated
44/4 11 Glass Plate Negatives – China circa 1901-1904
45/5 Sports Team Photographs 1901

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Series 11.:  Artifacts and Clippings, 1901-1990
2 linear feet  ;  1 box, 3 folders

This series includes clippings about the Brattain family. A flour sack from the Tonasket Mill rounds out the series.

Container(s)
Description
Dates
Box/Folder
45/6 Tonasket Mill Flour Sack undated
36/24 Clippings: The Brattain Family 1901-1975
36/25 Clippings: Walter Brattain's Death 1987
36/26 Emma Jane Brattain: Memorial Service and Obituary 1990

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Subjects

  • Brattain, Walter H. (Walter Houser), 1902-1987--Archives
  • Other Creators :

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Subjects

  • Bell Telephone Laboratories, Inc.
  • Bell Telephone Laboratories, Inc.
  • Whitman College--Authors, Alumni

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Subjects

  • Physics
  • Semiconductors
  • Transistors

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Subjects

Finding aid prepared by Andreea Coca, Colleen McFarland, Janet Mallen, and Emi Hastings from 2006 to 2007
© 2007