John R. Pierce papers, 1933-2002, bulk 1960-2002

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Summary

Creators:
Pierce, John R. (John Robinson) and Pierce, John Robinson
Abstract:
Papers include journals, 1986-1995; biographical and bibliographic materials; correspondence; typescripts of scholarly work, fiction and poetry; music manuscripts; published articles and books; research files; photographs; and other materials. The focus is primarily on his interest in computers and music and his authorship of science fiction stories, with a few published articles and photographs pertaining to the Echo satellite. Other items of note include the report on a visit to British electronics laboratories by J. R. Pierce and H. D. Hagstrum, 1944, and a transcript of a visit with H. G. Wells, 1944.
Extent:
9 Linear Feet
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

John R. Pierce Papers (SC0749). Department of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.

Background

Scope and content:

Papers include journals, 1986-1995; biographical and bibliographic materials; correspondence; typescripts of scholarly work, fiction and poetry; music manuscripts; published articles and books; research files; photographs; and other materials. The focus is primarily on his interest in computers and music and his authorship of science fiction stories, with a few published articles and photographs pertaining to the Echo satellite. Other items of note include the report on a visit to British electronics laboratories by J. R. Pierce and H. D. Hagstrum, 1944, and a transcript of a visit with H. G. Wells, 1944.

Biographical / historical:

John R. Pierce earned all three of his degrees at the California Institute of Technology: B.S. in 1933, M.S. in 1934, and Ph.D. in 1936. He worked at Bell Telephone Laboratories from 1936 to 1971, where his work included electronic tubes, microwave communications, and psychoacoustics. After leaving Bell, he joined the faculty at the California Institute of Technology where he taught until 1980 and was a chief technologist at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory from 1979 to 1982. In 1983 he became a visiting professor of music, emeritus, at the Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics at Stanford University. In addition to his scholarly work, Pierce wrote science fiction under the name of J. J. Coupling, as well as his own.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Mrs. John R. Pierce, 1999 and 2004.
Physical location:
Special Collections and University Archives materials are stored offsite and must be paged 48 hours in advance. For more information on paging collections, see the department's website: http://library.stanford.edu/spc.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Materials are open for research use. Audio-visual materials are not available in original format and must be reformatted to a digital use copy.

Terms of access:

While University Archives is the owner of the physical and/or digital items, permission to examine collection materials is not an authorization to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. Any transmission or reproduction beyond that allowed by fair use requires permission from the owners of rights, heir(s) or assigns.

Preferred citation:

John R. Pierce Papers (SC0749). Department of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.

Location of this collection:
Stanford University Archives, Green Library
557 Escondido Mall
Stanford, CA 94305-6064, US
Contact:
(650) 725-1022
specialcollections@stanford.edu
Website