2024-03-29T05:29:40Z
https://oralhistories.library.caltech.edu/cgi/oai2
oai:oralhistories.library.caltech.edu:43
2019-10-04T15:23:35Z
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https://oralhistories.library.caltech.edu/43/
Autobiography of Olga Taussky-Todd
Taussky-Todd, Olga
Mathematics
All Records
This autobiographical essay was written for the Archives in 1979-80 by Olga Taussky-Todd, emeritus professor of mathematics. In it she recalls her childhood and early education in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, in Vienna and Linz; her early interest in mathematics; her studies at the University of Vienna; and her interest in algebraic number theory (PhD 1930). Recollections of her thesis advisor Philip Furtwängler, Hans Hahn, Kurt Gödel, Karl Menger; her appointment in Göttingen as one of the editors of Hilbert's collected works; colleagues at Göttingen; friendship with Emmy Noether. She spends the 1934-35 academic year at Bryn Mawr, with Emmy Noether, then moves to Girton College, Cambridge. The next year she moves to London University; meets and marries fellow mathematician John (Jack) Todd. After World War II breaks out, they move to Queens University in Belfast, then back to London; their war work; their move to U.S.A. in 1947. Her interest in matrix theory; their stay at the Institute for Advanced Study, in Princeton. Their appointment at the Institute for Numerical Analysis, UCLA. Return to London. Their work at the National Bureau of Standards, in Washington, in early 1950s. 1957 appointments at Caltech: John Todd as professor of mathematics, Olga Taussky-Todd as research associate. Recollections of her mathematical research, her colleagues, and her work with students at Caltech.
1980-01-01
Oral History
NonPeerReviewed
application/pdf
en
other
https://oralhistories.library.caltech.edu/43/1/OH_Todd.pdf
Taussky-Todd, Olga (1980) Autobiography of Olga Taussky-Todd. [Oral History] (Unpublished) https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechOH:OH_Todd_O <https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechOH:OH_Todd_O>
https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechOH:OH_Todd_O
CaltechOH:OH_Todd_O
oai:oralhistories.library.caltech.edu:44
2011-10-20T19:45:26Z
oai:oralhistories.library.caltech.edu:132
2019-10-04T15:23:47Z
7374617475733D707562
7375626A656374733D737562:6D617468
7375626A656374733D6E616D65
74797065733D6F72616C5F686973746F7279
https://oralhistories.library.caltech.edu/132/
Interview with John Todd
Todd, John
Mathematics
All Records
John Todd was professor of mathematics at Caltech from 1957 to 1981. This interview in two sessions in March and April of 1996, conducted by Shirley K. Cohen, briefly covers Todd's childhood in Northern Ireland and traces his educational path as an aspiring engineer to Queen's University, Belfast (bachelor's degree, 1931), where he studied mathematics under A. C. Dixon; after Queen's, to Cambridge University as a graduate student (without degree) for two years under J. E. Littlewood. After four further years teaching in Belfast, Todd was hired at King's College, University of London, where he met his wife, the mathematician Olga Taussky, then a postdoc; their marriage in 1938. War work initially involves degaussing of ships for the British navy, then evolves into establishing centralized mathematical computing for the Admiralty. Postwar immigration brings Todds to US, 1947, both to work at US Bureau of Standards; comments on McCarthy era experiences there. John and Olga accept teaching jobs at Caltech, 1957. Note on portrait of Olga, painted in Belfast by mother of crystallographer P. P. Ewald [Clara Ewald, 1939]. Relates story of saving German mathematicians from French-Moroccan troops, 1945, in Oberwolfach in the Black Forest; mathematical institute there survives today. Discussion of teaching computation at Caltech (numerical analysis, numerical algebra, matrix theory); brief mention of mathematical colleagues F. Bohnenblust, A. Erdélyi, M. Ward, and H. P. Robertson. Olga's success as a teacher, although initially barred from professorial ranks. Remarks on state of mathematics and beginnings of computer science at Caltech; mention of student H. H. Hwang.
1997
Oral History
NonPeerReviewed
application/pdf
en
other
https://oralhistories.library.caltech.edu/132/1/Todd_OHO.pdf
Todd, John (1997) Interview with John Todd. [Oral History] https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechOH:OH_Todd_J <https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechOH:OH_Todd_J>
https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechOH:OH_Todd_J
CaltechOH:OH_Todd_J
oai:oralhistories.library.caltech.edu:151
2019-10-04T15:23:50Z
7374617475733D707562
7375626A656374733D737562:706879
7375626A656374733D737562:6D617468
7375626A656374733D6E616D65
7375626A656374733D737562:656E67
74797065733D6F72616C5F686973746F7279
https://oralhistories.library.caltech.edu/151/
Interview with Herbert B. Keller
Keller, Herbert B.
Physics
Mathematics
All Records
Engineering
Interview in two sessions, May and June 1996, with Herbert B. Keller, professor of applied mathematics with a joint appointment in the Division of Engineering and Applied Science and the Division of Physics, Mathematics, and Astronomy. Dr. Keller received his BEE at Georgia Tech in 1945 and his PhD from New York University (Institute for Mathematics and Mechanics, later the Courant Institute) in 1954. At Caltech as a visiting professor in 1965; joined the faculty as full professor in 1967. Executive officer for applied mathematics, 1980-1985.
He discusses growing up in Paterson, N.J., with his older brother, mathematician Joseph Keller, and education in mathematics at Eastside High School. Matriculates at Georgia Tech and joins NROTC; in World War II, serves as a fire-control officer on the USS Mississippi.
After the war, he takes graduate courses in electrical engineering at Georgia Tech; soon follows his brother to NYU and the institute established there by Richard Courant. Recollections of Courant and Charles De Prima; fellow students: Peter Lax, Louis Nirenberg, Cathleen Morawetz, and Harold Grad. Bicycling trip in Europe, 1948, with his brother; meeting up with Courant in Switzerland. Thesis work with Bernard Friedman. From 1951-1953, he taught mathematics at Sarah Lawrence.
Recalls working with Robert Richtmyer at Courant on the Atomic Energy Commission's UNIVAC computer; becomes associate director of the AEC Computation and Applied Mathematics Center; Edward Teller and Hans Bethe as consultants; visits Los Alamos and Livermore. Initial invitation to Caltech in 1960 from Gilbert McCann, head of what was then called information science (now computer science). Happy at Courant and unimpressed with Caltech's offer, he declines, but visits Caltech in 1965 at invitation of Gerald Whitham, joining new applied mathematics program. Returns to NYU for a year, then back to Caltech to stay. Recalls applied math group--Donald Cohen, Philip Saffman, Julian Cole, later Joel Franklin. Recalls Jack Todd. Helps establish and for many years teaches one of Caltech's most popular courses: Applied Mathematics 95 (AMA 95).
Discusses early development of computer science at Caltech: Donald Knuth, Carver Mead, Charles L. Seitz., Ivan Sutherland, Mani Chandy. Discusses his relations with Caltech's pure mathematicians and aerodynamicists. Recalls sabbatical at INRIA [Institut National de Recherche en d'Informatique et en Automatique] and visiting professorship at Paris-Orsay. Visiting fellow at Christ College, Cambridge, and DAMTP (Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics) in 1993. Concludes by recalling his impressions of K.O. Friedrichs and Fritz John at Courant and his work with his brother.
1998
Oral History
NonPeerReviewed
application/pdf
en
other
https://oralhistories.library.caltech.edu/151/1/Keller_OHO.pdf
Keller, Herbert B. (1998) Interview with Herbert B. Keller. [Oral History] https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechOH:OH_Keller_H <https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechOH:OH_Keller_H>
https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechOH:OH_Keller_H
CaltechOH:OH_Keller_H
oai:oralhistories.library.caltech.edu:195
2022-03-07T19:13:03Z
oai:oralhistories.library.caltech.edu:220
2019-10-04T15:24:01Z
7374617475733D707562
7375626A656374733D737562:6368656D
7375626A656374733D737562:6D617468
7375626A656374733D6E616D65
74797065733D6F72616C5F686973746F7279
https://oralhistories.library.caltech.edu/220/
Interview with Sidney Weinbaum
Weinbaum, Sidney
Chemistry
Mathematics
All Records
An interview in August 1985 with Sidney Weinbaum, Caltech PhD (1933), a mathematician who was a research fellow in Linus Pauling’s laboratory in the Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering in the 1930s and worked from 1946 to 1949 with Pol Duwez at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. In 1950, Weinbaum was arrested for perjury (regarding his alleged membership in the Communist Party) and for “abetting” Party activities. He was convicted and sentenced to four years in prison. In this interview, he recalls his childhood in the Ukraine; his undergraduate years at Caltech (1922-1924); and his work for Pauling. He recalls various friends in the Caltech community, his interests in chess and music, his political activism. He discusses his war work for Bendix Aviation and Curtiss-Wright Research Laboratory; his return to Pasadena after the war to work for JPL; his interrogation by the FBI; his arrest and trial; the support or lack of it from various friends and Caltech faculty; his life in prison; and his release and subsequent happy life with his second wife, Betty.
1985
Oral History
NonPeerReviewed
application/pdf
en
other
https://oralhistories.library.caltech.edu/220/1/Weinbaum%20OHO.pdf
Weinbaum, Sidney (1985) Interview with Sidney Weinbaum. [Oral History] https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechOH:OH_Weinbaum_S <https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechOH:OH_Weinbaum_S>
https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechOH:OH_Weinbaum_S
CaltechOH:OH_Weinbaum_S
oai:oralhistories.library.caltech.edu:242
2019-10-04T15:24:06Z
7374617475733D707562
7375626A656374733D737562:6D617468
7375626A656374733D6E616D65
74797065733D6F72616C5F686973746F7279
https://oralhistories.library.caltech.edu/242/
Interview with W. A. J. Luxemburg
Luxemburg, Wilhelmus Anthonius Josephus
Mathematics
All Records
An interview in three sessions, in June 2001, with Wilhelmus Anthonius Josephus (Wim) Luxemburg, professor of mathematics, emeritus, in the Division of Physics, Mathematics, and Astronomy. Dr. Luxemburg received his BA. from the University of Leiden (1950) and his doctorate from the Delft Institute of Technoloy (1955). He and his wife emigrated to Canada, first to Kingston and then to the University of Toronto as a postdoc with Israel Halperin. In 1958, he came to Caltech as an assistant professor in the mathematics department, at the invitation of H. Frederic Bohnenblust. He became a full professor in 1962, served as executive officer for mathematics from 1970 to 1985, and became professor emeritus in 2000.
He recalls his childhood during the First and Second World Wars in Delft, and the deprivations of the postwar period. Discusses his doctorate with Adriaan C. Zaanen at Delft Institute of Technology, on Banach function spaces. Attends 1954 International Congress of Mathematicians in Amsterdam. Invitation from Halperin to come to Canada. His postdoc at the University of Toronto. Travels in Canada. Invited to join Caltech faculty by Bohnenblust.
He comments on the development of mathematics at Caltech, including expansion of applied mathematics and joint appointments with engineering division. Discusses Olga Taussky-Todd as Caltech’s first woman full professor; Caltech’s abortive attempt to merge with Immaculate Heart College; his membership on Aims and Goals Committee. Recollections of presidencies of Harold Brown, Marvin L. Goldberger, Thomas E. Everhart; support of mathematics by then-current President David Baltimore; travels and life as emeritus professor.
2001
Oral History
NonPeerReviewed
application/pdf
en
other
https://oralhistories.library.caltech.edu/242/1/Luxemburg%20OHO.pdf
Luxemburg, Wilhelmus Anthonius Josephus (2001) Interview with W. A. J. Luxemburg. [Oral History] https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechOH:OH_Luxemburg_W <https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechOH:OH_Luxemburg_W>
https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechOH:OH_Luxemburg_W
CaltechOH:OH_Luxemburg_W
oai:oralhistories.library.caltech.edu:254
2019-10-04T15:24:08Z
7374617475733D707562
7375626A656374733D737562:656E67
7375626A656374733D737562:6D617468
7375626A656374733D6E616D65
74797065733D6F72616C5F686973746F7279
https://oralhistories.library.caltech.edu/254/
Interview with Philip G. Saffman
Saffman, Philip G.
Engineering
Mathematics
All Records
An interview in three sessions, December 1997 and April 1999, with Philip Geoffrey Saffman, Theodore von Kármán Professor of Applied Mathematics and Aeronautics, in the Division of Engineering and Applied Science. Dr. Saffman received his undergraduate and graduate degrees at Cambridge University and moved to Caltech in 1964 as a professor of fluid mechanics, becoming a professor of applied mathematics in 1970 and Von Kármán Professor in 1995. He died on August 17, 2008.
He discusses his Jewish family’s background in the United Kingdom; growing up in Leeds; the family’s experiences in World War II. At Cambridge: studies fluid mechanics with George Batchelor (PhD 1956); postdoctoral work with G. I. Taylor; joins faculty as assistant lecturer, 1958. Moves to King’s College, London, 1960, to work with Hermann Bondi.
Recalls first visit to Caltech, at JPL with Janos Laufer, 1963; impressions after joining faculty in 1964; genesis of applied mathematics at Caltech; collaboration with neighbor Max Delbrück; sabbaticals at MIT (1970-71 and 1982); operations of Caltech’s applied math dept. Comments on two of his children as Caltech undergraduates. Recalls some of his 37 graduate students, particularly Henry Yuen; Yuen’s career and invention of VCR Plus. Discusses his reasons for rejecting Cambridge’s offer of the Taylor chair; his fears that Caltech is losing out on best graduate students and faculty, in part because of tight money.
In a supplemental interview in 1999, he reminisces about his Cambridge supervisors Batchelor and Taylor; describes his research on water waves and vortices; and further remarks on offer of Taylor chair at Cambridge
1999
Oral History
NonPeerReviewed
application/pdf
en
other
https://oralhistories.library.caltech.edu/254/1/Saffman%20OHO.pdf
Saffman, Philip G. (1999) Interview with Philip G. Saffman. [Oral History] https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechOH:OH_Saffman_P <https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechOH:OH_Saffman_P>
https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechOH:OH_Saffman_P
CaltechOH:OH_Saffman_P