Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Guide to the Walter Guyton Cady Papers

Summary

Collection ID:
NMAH.AC.0046
Creators:
Cady, Walter Guyton, 1874-1973 (physicist)
Dates:
1903-1974
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
22.5 Cubic feet
73 boxes
Repository:

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
Consists chiefly of Cady's research notebooks on various subjects in physics and a considerable technical reprint file; some records of Cady's consultant work and patents granted.

Arrangement

Arrangement
Divided into 11 series.
Series 1: Research Notebooks, 1896 1972
Series 2: Chapter Drafts for Piezoelectricity An Introduction To The Theory And Applications Of Electromechanical Phenomena In Crystals, 1945
Series 3: Technical Reprint Files, 1900s-1960s
Series 4: Walter G. Cady's Writings and Reviews, 1950s-1960s
Series 5: Consultant Work, 1931-1967
Series 6: Institute of Radio Engineers (IRE), 1945-1963
Series 7: Institute of Electric and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), 1932-1973
Series 8: Patent Records, 1914-1974
Series 9: Books, 1887-1960
Series 10: Miscellaneous, 1949-1973
Series 11: Card Indexes, 1940s-1960s.

Biographical / Historical

Biographical / Historical
Walter Guyton Cady (1874 1973) was born in Providence, Rhode Island. He graduated from Brown University (Bachelors 1895 and Masters 1897) and from the University of Berlin (Ph. D. Physics, 1900). Cady worked at a magnetic observatory of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey from 1900-1902. In 1902, Cady joined the faculty of Wesleyan University as a professor of physics where he remained until 1946. During WW I, Cady used piezoelectricity—electricity or electric polarity due to pressure especially in a crystalline substance as quartz—and underwater sound to make devices that would locate enemy submarines. From this work evolved the crystal resonator and oscillator. Piezoelectricity is utilized in microphones, phonograph pickups, and telephone communications systems.
During World War II, Cady worked on military applications of piezoelectricity. Among the applications were supersonic trainers for radar operators, which employed piezoelectric transducers in liquid tanks to generate realistic echoes on radar indicators. In 1946, Cady published a book titled Piezoelectricity An Introduction To The Theory And Applications Of Electromechanical Phenomena In Crystals, 1946. After his retirement in 1951 to Pasadena, California, Cady returned to Providence, Rhode Island in 1963 and was active in consulting work for industry and the Federal government. Cady was an active member of Institute of Radio Engineers (IRE), becoming a fellow of the institute in 1927 and receiving the Morris N. Liebmann Memorial Award in 1928. He also received the Dudell Medal from the Physics Society of Great Britain in 1936. Cady also served as an editor for the PROCEDDINGS OF IRE and as president of IRE, was Editor of the Physical Review from 1924-1926, a member of the national Research Committee, 1935-1938, and a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Cady's principal interests included the study of electrical discharges in gases, detection of wireless waves, piezoelectricity, ultrasonics, piezoelectric resonators and oscillators, and crystal devices.
Cady married Kathrin Olive Miller (1883-1909) and they had one son, Willoughby Miller Cady (1907-1953), also a physicist.

Administration

Author
James A. Steed
Custodial History
Transferred to the Archives from the Division of Electricity (now Division of Work and Industry) on May 21, 1983.
Processing Information
Collection processed by James Steed, 1975

Digital Content

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Using the Collection

Conditions Governing Use
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Preferred Citation
Walter Guyton Cady Papers, 1903-1974, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Notebooks Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Scientists Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Resonators Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Ultrasonics Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Piezoelectric resonators Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Physics Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Professors Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Piezoelectricity Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Crystal devices Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Physicists Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Electrical science and technology Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Electricity and Modern Physics Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

Archives Center, National Museum of American History
P.O. Box 37012
Suite 1100, MRC 601
Washington, D.C. 20013-7012
Business Number: Phone: 202-633-3270
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