Department of
Terrestrial Magnetism General Files, 1904-Present
DTM-2005-07
Introduction
Abstract: This
collection contains the records of the Department of Terrestrial Magnetism
(DTM) at the Carnegie Institution of Washington (CIW), established in 1904,
continuing to the present. It contains directorsÕ correspondence; site and
building plans; drawings of equipment and apparatus; photographs; news
clippings; biographical files; diaries and reminiscences; visitor logs; and
audio recordings. Notable studies conducted by DTM highlighted in the
collection include geomagnetism, nuclear physics, the development of the
proximity fuze, seismology, astronomy and geochemistry.
Extent: 50 linear
feet; 29 file drawers, 14 map case folders.
Acquisition: The
records have been in the possession of the Department of Terrestrial Magnetism
(DTM) since their creation.
Access Restrictions:
There are no access restrictions to this collection.
Copyright: Copyright
is held by the Department of Terrestrial Magnetism, Carnegie Institution of
Washington. For permission to reproduce or publish please contact the
archivist at the Department of Terrestrial Magnetism.
Preferred Citation: Department
of Terrestrial Magnetism General Files, 1904-Present, Department of Terrestrial
Magnetism, Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washington, D.C.
Processing: This
collection was processed by Jennifer Snyder and Ann Mulfort in May 2005 through
the generous support of the National Historical Publications and Records
Commission.
During the processing of this collection, the archivists discovered
that previous managers of the materials weeded the files of Series One:
Chronological Files through 1965. Since no subsequent weeding occurred, later
files were found to contain a greater volume of nonessential correspondence. To
make the collection more useable, the archivists consolidated all of the
purchase orders into one file for each subseries from 1963 on. Beginning with
the 1965 files, correspondence lacking a specific folder title was consolidated
in folders for each letter of the alphabet (e.g.: A: Miscellaneous).
Historical Note
The Department of Terrestrial Magnetism was established in
1904 by Louis Agricola Bauer, who became the DepartmentÕs first director. The
original mission of the Department was to measure the earthÕs magnetic field
and its variations. Magnetic survey stations and observatories were established
across the globe, and ocean survey expeditions began. Two ships were
commissioned for these seafaring journeysÑthe Galilee, in 1905 and the Carnegie (named in honor of the InstitutionÕs founder), a
completely non-magnetic ship, which took over the research, in 1909.
In the 1920s, the DepartmentÕs research focus began to
broaden. Merle Tuve and Gregory Breit, two DTM physicists, began working on
verifying the existence of the earthÕs ionosphere in 1925. During the 1930s and
1940s the laboratory Òbecame a world-class center for the study of nuclear
physics, which made fundamental discoveries about atomic forces.Ó (Trefil 54)
In 1939 the uranium atom was split for the first time in the U.S. on DTMÕs
campus in the Atomic Physics Observatory. In 1940, work began on the proximity
fuze which would change the face of warfare for the United States. Later, fuze
activities would move to the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, which
was headed by Tuve. ÒAfter the war, departmental scientists branched off into
new fields, including isotope geology, seismology, astronomy, and biophysics.
The diverse efforts resulted in discoveries regarding the structure of the
Earth, age-dating techniques, the properties of genomes, and the existence of
dark matter.Ó (Trefil 54)
Please see appended timeline for achievements at the
Department.
A chronology of the directorships of the department is as
follows:
á
Louis A Bauer (1904-1929)
á
John A. Fleming, Acting Director (1929-1934); Director
(1935-1946)
á
Merle A. Tuve (1946-1967)
á
Ellis T. Bolton (1967-1974)
á
George W. Wetherill (1974-1991)
á
Louis Brown, Acting Director (1991-1992)
á
Sean C. Solomon (1992- )
Scope and Content
This collection consists of records from over 100 years of
scientific studies at DTM. The materials include correspondence, photographs,
news clippings, equipment designs, blueprints, maps, site plans, diaries,
visitor logs, and audio recordings. This collection documents the evolution of
a program whose initial charge was to study the magnetic and electric condition
of the earth and its atmosphere. Other programs of research, conducted for
varying periods of time (some still active at present) include: radio and
optical astronomy; nuclear physics; seismology; biophysics; ionosphere and
cosmic ray studies; isotope geochemistry and cosmochemistry; and astrobiology.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged in two series and maintains the
organization developed by the original managers of these materials. The files
are arranged alphabetically within the subseries of Series 1 and Series 2.
Series 1: Chronological Files,
1910-1985
Subseries 1: To 1934
Subseries 2: 1935-1948
Subseries 3: 1949-1952
Subseries 4: 1953-1954
Subseries 5: 1955-1956
Subseries 6: 1957-1958
Subseries 7: 1959-1960
Subseries 8: 1961-1962
Subseries 9: 1963-1964
Subseries 10: 1965-1966
Subseries 11: 1967-1968
Subseries 12: 1969-1970
Subseries 13: 1971-1972
Subseries 14: 1973-1974
Subseries 15: 1975-1980
Series 2: Archives Files,
1904-Present
Series 1: Chronological Files, 1910-1985
This inactive series contains fifteen subseries organized by
date. The materials include correspondence, photographs, maps, equipment
designs, news clippings, and site plans derived chiefly from each directorÕs
office correspondence. Department communication with other research
organizations include the Lowell Observatory, Mount Wilson Observatory, the
National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Science Foundation (NSF), the
National Academy of Sciences (NAS), and the National Bureau of Standards. DTMÕs
involvement in defense contracts throughout World War II is contained in the
files of the U.S. Navy. The development of image tubes for optical telescopes
is included in this series. All of these materials demonstrate DTMÕs
cooperation with various organizations. Because the work in many fields of the
department took place over several years, some topics can be found in multiple
subseries.
Although the International Geophysical Year took place
1957-1958, details of DTMÕs preparation for and participation in this endeavor
can be found in earlier years throughout this series. Key correspondents in
this series include L. Thomas Aldrich, James P. Ault, Dean B. Cowie, Odd Dahl,
Scott E. Forbush, Richard B. Roberts, and Vera C. Rubin.
Series 2: Archives Files, 1904-Present
This active series contains correspondence, photographs,
maps, blueprints, and news clippings. These materials were maintained
separately from the chronological files for permanent retention of topics of
historical significance to the department. Materials continue to be added to
this series.
Of interest in this series is the photographic collection of
the Carnegie VII cruise taken by Floyd
Melville Soule, the diary of the Trans-Saharan Expedition (1912-1913) by Darius
W. Berky, the autobiographical materials by Richard B. Roberts, and
reminiscences by former staff members and crew members serving on the
departmentÕs research vessels. Extensive documentation concerning the departmentÕs
operation of geophysical observatories at Huancayo, Peru and Watheroo,
Australia is also present.
Folder Listing
Please see the DTM General Files database for a complete
folder listing. There is also a printout of the folder titles in the collectionÕs
control file. Please inquire with the archivist for access to the printed list.
Subject Terms
Topics:
Astronomy
Geophysical observatories
Geomagnetism
Geophysics
Image converters
International Geophysical Year,
1957-1958
Nuclear physics
Oceanography
Radio astronomy
Scientific expeditions
Seismology
Corporate
Names:
Carnegie Institution of Washington.
Dept. of Terrestrial Magnetism
Carnegie (Ship)
Galilee (Ship)
Johns Hopkins University. Applied
Physics Laboratory
Lowell Observatory
Mount Wilson Observatory
National Institutes of Health
(U.S.)
National Science Foundation (U.S.)
United States. National Academy of
Sciences
United States. National Bureau of
Standards
United States. Navy
Personal Names:
Aldrich, Lyman Thomas, 1917-
Ault, J. P. (James Percy),
1881-1929
Bauer, L. A. (Louis Agricola),
1865-1932
Berky, Darius W.
Bolton, Ellis T.
Cowie, Dean B.
Dahl, Odd, 1898-1994
Fleming, J. A. (John Adam),
1877-1956
Forbush, Scott E., 1904-
Roberts, Richard B. (Richard
Brooke), 1910-1980
Rubin, Vera C., 1928-
Soule, Floyd M. (Floyd Melville),
1901-
Tuve, Merle Antony,
1901-1982
Wetherill, George W.
Forms:
Administrative
records
Audiotapes
Blueprints
Clippings
Correspondence
Diaries
Maps
Photographs
Plans (drawings)
Reminiscences
Site plans
VisitorsÕ books
Bibliography
Trefil, James and
Margaret Hindle Hazen. Good Seeing: A Century of Science at the Carnegie
Institution of Washington, 1902-2002.
Washington, D.C.: Joseph Henry Press, 2002.
Other Sources
Brown, Louis. The
Department of Terrestrial Magnetism. Vol. 2
of Centennial History of the Carnegie Institution of Washington. 5 vols. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press,
2004.
Celebrating
100 Years of Discovery at the Department of Terrestrial Magnetism, 1904-2004. Washington, D.C.: DTM, 2004.
Carnegie
Institution: Department of Terrestrial Magnetism. Washington, D.C.: CIW, 2003.
Timeline of Selected Events and Achievements at the
Department of Terrestrial Magnetism
Compiled in 2004 for the DTM Centennial
1902 - Louis A.
Bauer submits proposal to establish an Òinternational magnetic bureauÓ to
coordinate research and conduct surveys in unexplored regions
1903 - Carnegie
Board of Trustees approve proposal and allocate $20,000 for the first yearÕs
operations; Bauer named Director
1904 - In
conformity with the authority conveyed in the SecretaryÕs letter of March 29,
1904, the work of the [Department of International Research in Terrestrial
Magnetism] was begun on April 1, 1904, and since then has been steadily
prosecuted.
-L. A. Bauer in the 1904 CIW Year Book
1905 - First land
magnetic expeditions dispatched
1905 - Magnetic
survey of the Pacific begun using the chartered vessel Galilee
1907 - Name
shortened to ÒDepartment of Terrestrial MagnetismÓ
1909 - Launch of
non-magnetic yacht Carnegie
1911-1913 -
Participation in Australasian Antarctic Expedition
1913 -
Experimental studies of magnetism and atmospheric electricity begin
1914 - DTM moves
to Broad Branch Road site
1915-1916 - Carnegie circumnavigates Antarctica in a single season
1917-1918 - Staff
conduct research on magnetic compasses for aircraft, anti-submarine devices,
and magnetic mines during WWI
1918-1925 -
Collaboration with Roald Amundsen on Maud Expedition
1919 - Watheroo
Magnetic Observatory established by DTM in Western Australia
1920 - Experiment
Building constructed
1921 - Carnegie decommissioned at conclusion of Cruise VI
1921-1924 -
Temporary ÒiglooÓ observatories built on Baffin Island and Greenland during
MacMillan Bowdoin expeditions
1922 - Huancayo
Magnetic Observatory established in Peru
1925 - Height of
the ionosphere measured using pulsed radio signals
1927 - Carnegie recommissioned and refitted for comprehensive
oceanographic research on Cruise VII
1928 -
High-voltage studies begin, using Tesla Coil as particle accelerator
1929 - Carnegie destroyed by explosion and fire in Apia, Samoa,
November 29; Captain Ault killed
1930 - John A.
Fleming becomes Acting Director; named Director in 1935
1930 - DTM
magnetic instruments flown on board the airship Graf Zeppelin
1930 - Studies of
radiation effects on lab animals and establishment of useful standards for
radiation exposure
1931 - DTM
participates in Nautilus Polar
Expedition, first attempt to travel by submarine beneath Arctic ice-pack
1932 - Formation
of ÒCommittee on Coordination of Cosmic Ray Investigations,Ó centralized at DTM
1932-1933 -
International Polar Year stations set up at Fairbanks and Point Barrow, Alaska
1932 - Atomic
physics group abandons use of Tesla Coil, turns to Van de Graaff generators
1933 - Experiment
Building extension built to house 2-meter Van de Graaff
1934 - Systematic
monitoring of cosmic-rays begins, using Compton-Bennett meters
1935 - First of
ten Washington Conferences on Theoretical Physics, co-sponsored by George
Washington University and DTM
1935 - Studies of
proton-proton scattering lead to understanding of strong nuclear force
1935 -
Multi-frequency automatic ionospheric sounder built, becomes international
standard
1935 - Manned
balloon Explorer II carries DTM
electrical conductivity experiments into stratosphere
1937 -
Appointment of first DTM postdoctoral fellow, physicist Richard B. Roberts
1937 - Discovery
of Forbush effect (cosmic-ray intensity decrease during magnetic storms)
1938 - Atomic Physics
Observatory (APO), a 3 million-volt, pressure- tank, Van de Graaff accelerator,
becomes operational
1939 - Uranium
atom split at APO on January 28 with Bohr and Fermi present, following 5th
Washington Conference on Theoretical Physics
1939 - Delayed
neutron from uranium fission discovered
1939 - Tuve named
to President RooseveltÕs Uranium Committee
1940 - Proximity
fuze development begins
1940 -
Construction of 60-inch cyclotron starts
1940 - Research
Associates Sydney Chapman and Julius Bartels publish classic treatise Geomagnetism
1941 - College
Observatory (forerunner of todayÕs University of Alaska Geophysical Institute)
established in Fairbanks as joint DTM-University of Alaska facility
1942 - Fuze
research and development transferred to Applied Physics Laboratory; 22 million
fuzes manufactured by WarÕs end
1943-1944 -
Global network of ionosphere stations set up for wartime radio propagation
studies
1943 - Cyclotron
produces first beam, New YearÕs Eve; radioisotopes produced for biomedical
research
1946 - Merle A.
Tuve succeeds Fleming as Director and initiates modern DTM research directions
in seismology, geochronology, and radio astronomy; geomagnetism research
terminated
With the completion of many
volumes of survey and observatory results, and the transfer of the
observatories to other agencies, the Department during this report year has
begun to function effectively as a physics department with special research
interests in geophysics and in laboratory physics....A deliberate aim to work
as physicists, in reasonably fresh areas, on significant problems, however
difficult and on problems directed toward philosophical goals without reference
to possible applications, is the general policy adopted for guiding the
selection and emphasis of the work carried forward. -Merle A. Tuve, Year Book #47 (1947-1948)
1946 - Expansion
of rock magnetism studies
1947 - Derwood
(Maryland) Field Station established for ionospheric, cosmic-ray, and (later)
radio astronomy work
1947 - Lunch Club
established
1947-1948 -
ÒProject ThunderstormÓ measures air conductivity and potential gradient from
B-29 bombers
1948 - Explosion
seismology experiments begin, using war-surplus explosives; first shots in New
Mexico and Chesapeake Bay region
1949 - Biophysics
group begins studies of biosynthesis in E. coli bacteria
1950 - Mass
spectrometry applied to geochronology in collaboration with Geophysical Lab
1951 - DTM-GL
seismic expedition to Canadian Shield
1952 - Coulomb
excitation opens new avenues for nuclear structure studies
1952 -
Installation of DTMÕs first radio telescope, a 7.5-meter German radar dish, for
studies of galactic hydrogen
1953 -
Application of ion-exchange resins to chemical separation in geochronology
1954 - ÒCommittee
on Electronic Image Converters for TelescopesÓ begins work
1955 - Discovery
of radio emissions from Jupiter
1956 -
ÒConcordiaÓ method makes U-Pb age determination accurate
1957 - Seismic
expedition to Andes during International Geophysical Year, with shots fired in
open-pit copper mines in Peru and Chile; first use of NSF funds for DTM field
work
1958 -
Paleomagnetism studies terminate
1959 - Control of
Journal of Geophysical Research, edited
and published at DTM since 1904, transferred to American Geophysical Union
1960 - 18-meter
radio astronomy dish installed at Derwood
1960-1961 -
Cooperative network of seismic stations established in Peru, Bolivia, and
Chile
1961 - Polarized
ion source installed in APO
1962 - 2-meter
Van de Graaff donated to Smithsonian Institution
1963 - Agar
column technique devised, transforming microbiology
1963 - Lake
Superior seismic experiment involves 14 groups from 5 nations
1963 - ÒCarnegie
Earthquake SeminarÓ brings South American researchers to DTM
1963-1964 -
Recognition of long-lived isotope systems as tracers of geological processes
1964-1965 -
30-meter radio astronomy dishes erected at Derwood and La Plata, Argentina
1964 -
Installation of ÒCarnegie image tubesÓ begins at observatories worldwide
1965 - East Coast
Onshore-Offshore Experiment probes Appalachian crustal structure
1966 - Ellis T.
Bolton becomes fourth Director; L. Thomas Aldrich named Associate Director
1966 - First
non-human computer, an IBM 1130, installed at DTM
1966 - Broad-band
seismograph developed
1968 -
Sacks-Evertson borehole strainmeters developed
1968 - New
ÒgeochemistryÓ designation reflects geochronology groupÕs growing interest in
isotopes as tracers
1971 - First
strainmeter installed off DTM campus, at Matsushiro, Japan
1971 -
Geochemists introduce computer control of mass spectrometers
1971 - First
plate tectonic model for formation and evolution of the Andes
1972 - Carnegie
sponsors Airlie House Conference on ÒPlate Tectonics and the Evolution of
ContinentsÕÕ
1973 - Carnegie
sponsors Airlie House Conference on ÒGeochemical Transport and Kinetics,Ó
marking push to understanding diffusion and its role in geochemistry
1973 - Project
Nari–o, a multi-national explosion seismic project, confirms complexity of
Andean crustal structure
1974 - George W.
Wetherill becomes DTMÕs fifth Director, brings research direction in
theoretical Solar System evolution and cosmochemistry to DTM
1974-1976 -
Biophysics group phased out
1975 - Operation
of Van de Graaff accelerator and radio telescopes terminated
1975 - Rb-Sr
mantle isochrons show continental mantle is both different and old
1976 - DTM Dynamos meet Geophysical Lab (GL) Pistons on the soccer field; Dynamos prevail 4-0
1977 -
Geochemistry proposed as a way to constrain mantle circulation
1978 - Discovery
of slow/silent earthquakes enabled by array of strainmeters in Japan
1978 - Evidence
of dark matter found from galaxy rotation curves
1979 -
Identification of role of subducted oceanic crust in mantle evolution
1979 -
Strainmeters installed in Iceland
1983 - Purchase
of commercial multicollector mass spectrometer
1984 - Carnegie
fosters organization of PASSCAL seismic consortium
1984 - Carnegie
becomes founding member of Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology
(IRIS)
1985 - Observations
of very young stars and star-forming regions begin
1986 -
Beryllium-10 studies demonstrate sediment involvement in subduction
1986-1987 - Mass
spectrometer altered for laser ionization; research using Re-Os system
initiated
1988 - First
results on fossil anisotropy in the mantle
1988 -
Penetrative convection proposed to explain both geochemistry and geophysics of
mantle
1989 - Ground
broken for new Research Building on January 30
1989 - First
deployment of DTM portable seismic array in ÒAPT89 Experiment,Ó 1500-km
transect across US and Canada
1990 -
Geophysical Laboratory moves to Broad Branch Road campus
1991 - Wetherill
retires; Louis Brown named Acting Director
1992 - Sean C.
Solomon becomes DTMÕs sixth Director
1992-1999 -
Brazilian Lithosphere Seismic Project employs 20+ portable broadband stations
in joint DTM-University of S‹o Paulo study
1993 - First
strainmeter study of volcanic eruptive processes
1994-2001 -
Collaboration in Hubble Space Telescope
key project on Cepheid variables refines distance scale of the universe
1995-1996 - Ion
Microprobe Laboratory built in former cyclotron vault; cosmochemistry
strengthened in research program
1996 - ÒMud Cup
IÓ rekindles DTM-GL soccer rivalry
1996 - Research
effort on planetary volatiles and interplanetary and interstellar grains begins
with ion probe
1997 - Hubble
Space Telescope photos of ÒantennaeÓ
galaxies bring national attention to work on merging galaxies
1997 - Automation
of ion probe to hunt for isotopically anomalous interstellar grains
1997-1998 -
Acquisition of inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometers
1997 -
Undergraduate summer intern program begins in collaboration with GL
1997-2002 -
Kaapvaal Craton Project brings seismo-logists and geochemists together in
multinational, multidisciplinary study of southern AfricaÕs cratons
1998 - Carnegie
becomes founding member of NASA Astrobiology Institute
1998 -
Identification of extra-Solar System oxide grains from supernova
1998 -
Feasibility of using Re-Os on sulfide inclusions in diamonds demonstrated
1999 - DTM enters
search for extrasolar planets, complementing ongoing theoretical work in planet
formation
1999 - Two
borehole geophysical observatories installed in ocean bottom off Tohoku, Japan
1999 - First
transit of an extrasolar planet detected around HD 209458
2000 -
Strainmeters predict eruption at Hekla
2001-2003 -
Astronomy group changes its focus to planets and the Solar System
2002 - First
volcano-specific strainmeter deployment captures Montserrat dome collapse
2004 - Launch of
MESSENGER spacecraft to Mercury on August 3, a joint Carnegie-APL-NASA mission
2004 - Discovery
of Neptune-mass exoplanets
