Interview with Harvey W. House

Abstract

An interview with Harvey W. House, graduate of Throop College of Technology, which in 1920 became the California Institute of Technology. Mr. House entered Throop in the fall of 1915 and graduated with a BS in chemical engineering in 1920. Born in Tientsin, China, to missionary parents; Christian-oriented upbringing. Move to Los Angeles. High school interest in chemistry and physics leads him to choose Throop; student loan from Olive Cleveland Loan Fund. Rooms in East Pasadena (Lamanda Park); commutes by bicycle. Recollections of President James A. B. Scherer; electrical engineering professor Royal W. Sorenson; dean of engineering George Damon; mathematics professor H. C. Van Buskirk; Throop curriculum. Church activities. Humanities under Clinton Judy; fellow student Frank Capra; chemistry professor Howard Lucas. Summer job at Baker Iron Works. Caltech football; pole rush; Big T; 1916 establishment of ROTC and YMCA; Pasadena ambulance corps. 1917-18, half year at Maryville College, Tennessee; Camp Kearny, San Diego; sickness. Returns to Caltech; Student Army Training program. Armistice. Arrival of R. A. Millikan to head Caltech. 1920 commencement; teaches chemistry in Canton, China; master’s degree from Caltech in 1926.