Interview with Zus Haagen-Smit

Haagen-Smit, Zus (Maria) (2003) Interview with Zus Haagen-Smit. Oral History Project, California Institute of Technology Archives, Pasadena, California.

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Abstract

This interview in 2000 with Zus (Maria) Haagen-Smit, widow of Caltech biologist Arie Jan Haagen-Smit (1900-1977), describes their early education at the University of Utrecht, his work on terpenes with Leopold Ruzicka, and the cooperation between Caltech and Utrecht in studies of plant hormones. In 1936, as war loomed in Europe, Arie Haagen-Smit was invited for a year to Harvard by Kenneth Thimann; in 1937, he was invited by T. H. Morgan to join the faculty of Caltech’s Biology Division, where he continued his work on terpenes and plant hormones. Recollections of Dutch group at Caltech: Frits Went, Herman Dolk, Johannes van Overbeek, and Anthonie van Harreveld. Advent of World War II; opening of butadiene plant in Los Angeles, 1943, and consequent smog problems in Los Angeles. She recalls her husband’s pioneering work in analysis of smog and measures to reduce it; and his consultancies with L.A. County Air Pollution Control District, Southern California Edison Co., auto industry, and California Air Resources Board. She reads extensively from Arnold Beckman’s tribute to him and the history of Los Angeles County’s battle to reduce air pollution. Summarizes the awards and honors he received toward the end of his life.

EPrint Type:	Oral History
Interviewer:	Shirley K. Cohen
Interview Date:	March 16 and 20, 2000
Uncontrolled Keywords:	smog, pollution
Subjects:	All Records Subjects > Chemistry Subjects > Biology
ID Code:	42
Deposited By:	Oral Histories Administrator
Deposited On:	14 April 2003
Record Number:	CaltechOH:OH_Haagen-Smit_Z
Official Persistent URL:	http://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechOH:OH_Haagen-Smit_Z
Usage Policy:	You are granted permission for individual, educational, research and non-commercial reproduction, distribution, display and performance of this work in any format.

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