Wisconsin at the Frontiers of Astronomy: a History of Innovation and Exploration
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Economic & Business History
This article was published online on April 26, 2019 Final version June 30, 2019 Essays in ECONOMIC & BUSINESS HISTORY The Journal of the Economic &Business History Society Editors Mark Billings, University of Exeter Daniel Giedeman, Grand Valley State University Copyright © 2019, The Economic and Business History Society. This is an open access journal. Users are allowed to read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full texts of the articles in this journal without asking prior permission from the publisher or the author. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ISSN 0896-226X LCC 79-91616 HC12.E2 Statistics and London Underground Railways STATISTICS: SPUR TO PRODUCTIVITY OR PUBLICITY STUNT? LONDON UNDERGROUND RAILWAYS 1913-32 James Fowler The York Management School University of York [email protected] A rapid deterioration in British railways’ financial results around 1900 sparked an intense debate about how productivity might be improved. As a comparison it was noted that US railways were much more productive and employed far more detailed statistical accounting methods, though the connection between the two was disputed and the distinction between the managerial and regulatory role of US statistical collection was unexplored. Nevertheless, The Railway Companies (Accounts and Returns) Act was passed in 1911 and from 1913 a continuous, detailed and standardized set of data was produced by all rail companies including the London underground. However, this did not prevent their eventual amalgamation into the London Passenger Transport Board in 1933 on grounds of efficiency. This article finds that despite the hopes of the protagonists, collecting more detailed statistics did not improve productivity and suggests that their primary use was in generating publicity to influence shareholders’, passengers’ and workers’ perceptions. -
Ira Sprague Bowen Papers, 1940-1973
http://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/tf2p300278 No online items Inventory of the Ira Sprague Bowen Papers, 1940-1973 Processed by Ronald S. Brashear; machine-readable finding aid created by Gabriela A. Montoya Manuscripts Department The Huntington Library 1151 Oxford Road San Marino, California 91108 Phone: (626) 405-2203 Fax: (626) 449-5720 Email: [email protected] URL: http://www.huntington.org/huntingtonlibrary.aspx?id=554 © 1998 The Huntington Library. All rights reserved. Observatories of the Carnegie Institution of Washington Collection Inventory of the Ira Sprague 1 Bowen Papers, 1940-1973 Observatories of the Carnegie Institution of Washington Collection Inventory of the Ira Sprague Bowen Paper, 1940-1973 The Huntington Library San Marino, California Contact Information Manuscripts Department The Huntington Library 1151 Oxford Road San Marino, California 91108 Phone: (626) 405-2203 Fax: (626) 449-5720 Email: [email protected] URL: http://www.huntington.org/huntingtonlibrary.aspx?id=554 Processed by: Ronald S. Brashear Encoded by: Gabriela A. Montoya © 1998 The Huntington Library. All rights reserved. Descriptive Summary Title: Ira Sprague Bowen Papers, Date (inclusive): 1940-1973 Creator: Bowen, Ira Sprague Extent: Approximately 29,000 pieces in 88 boxes Repository: The Huntington Library San Marino, California 91108 Language: English. Provenance Placed on permanent deposit in the Huntington Library by the Observatories of the Carnegie Institution of Washington Collection. This was done in 1989 as part of a letter of agreement (dated November 5, 1987) between the Huntington and the Carnegie Observatories. The papers have yet to be officially accessioned. Cataloging of the papers was completed in 1989 prior to their transfer to the Huntington. -
Illinois—Where Astronomical Photometry Grew Up
Beaman and Svec, JAAVSO Volume 40, 2012 141 Illinois—Where Astronomical Photometry Grew Up Barry B. Beaman 6804 Alvina Road, Rockford, IL 61101; [email protected] Michael T. Svec Furman University, Department of Education, 3300 Poinsett Highway, Greenville SC 29613; Internet: [email protected] Presented at the 100th Annual Meeting of the AAVSO, October 7, 2011; received January 21, 2012; revised February 2, 2012; accepted February 6, 2012 Abstract In 1903 Dr. Joel Stebbins joined the University of Illinois faculty as an astronomy instructor and Director of the University of Illinois Observatory. In 1905 he and F. C. Brown began experimenting with selenium sell photometry and developed the equipment and many of the photometric practices used then. Those practices formed the foundation on which present day photometry processes are based. This paper will trace the history of Stebbins’ career and his development of photoelectric photometry from 1903 to 1922. This story explains how Stebbins’ wife, May, caused a change in astronomical observing that continues today. 1. Introduction The prairies of central Illinois may seem an unlikely place to begin a photometric revolution. Illinois is a flat land state with only about 100 clear nights per year, the average elevation is only 600 feet above sea level, and the highest point is only at 1,500 feet. Yet, Illinois has produced its share of prominent and innovative astronomers. George Ellery Hale built his Kenwood Observatory in the heart of Chicago. Edwin Hubble spent his teen years in the Chicago suburbs and was educated at University of Chicago. Grote Reber built the World’s first parabolic-steerable radio telescope. -
Historian Corner
Historian Corner - Low Earth Orbit (roughly circular orbit) By Barb Sande - Perigee: 537.0 km (333.7 miles) [email protected] - Apogee: 540.9 km (336.1 miles) - Inclination: 28.47 degrees - Period: 95.42 minutes ANNOUNCEMENT: MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!! HST Mission: th The Titan Panel Discussion in honor of the 15 - On-going optical (near-infrared to UV wavelength) anniversary of the end of the program has been astronomical observations of the universe scheduled for Thursday, October 15 from 1:00 to 3:00 - End of HST mission estimated to be 2030-2040 pm MDT via a Zoom teleconference (virtual panel). - Estimated costs of the HST program (including There are ten volunteers currently enlisted to participate replacement instruments and five servicing missions) in the panel, including Norm Fox, Bob Hansen, Ken = ~ $10 billion – does not include on-going science Zitek, Ralph Mueller, Larry Perkins, Dave Giere, Dennis Connection to Lockheed Martin: Brown, Jack Kimpton, Fred Luhmann, and Samuel - Lockheed Sunnyvale built and integrated the main Lukens. If you want to call into the panel discussion to HST spacecraft and systems hear the roundtable, please RSVP to me at the email - Martin Marietta/Lockheed Martin provided six above (emails only for RSVP, no phone calls). There are external tanks and associated subsystems for the limitations to Zoom attendance for meetings. The shuttle launches supporting the HST program. details of the meeting will be emailed to the attendees - at a later date (Zoom link). Program Profile This 2020 Q3 issue profiles the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) in honor of its 30th anniversary in orbit. -
The Origins of Political Electricity: Market Failure Or Political Opportunism?
THE ORIGINS OF POLITICAL ELECTRICITY: MARKET FAILURE OR POLITICAL OPPORTUNISM? Robert L. Bradley, Jr. * The current debate over restructuring the electric industry, which includes such issues as displacing the regulatory covenant, repealing the Public Utility Holding Company Act, and privatizing municipal power sys- tems, the Rural Utilities Service (formerly Rural Electrification Adminis- tration), and federally owned power systems, makes a look back at the origins of political electricity relevant. The thesis of this essay, that govern- ment intervention into electric markets was not the result of market fail- ures but, rather, represented business and political opportunism, suggests that the intellectual and empirical case for market-oriented reform is even stronger than would otherwise be the case. A major theme of applied political economy is the dynamics of gov- ernment intervention in the marketplace. Because interventions are often related, an analytical distinction can be made between basis point and cumulative intervention.' Basis point regulation, taxation, or subsidization is the opening government intervention into a market setting; cumulative intervention is further regulation, taxation, or subsidization that is attribu- table to the effects of prior (basis point or cumulative) intervention. The origins and maturation of political electricity, as will be seen, are interpret- able through this theoretical framework. The commercialization of electric lighting in the United States, suc- cessfully competing against gas lamps, kerosene lamps, and wax candles, required affordable generation, long distance transmission capabilities, and satisfactory illumination equipment. All three converged beginning in the 1870s, the most remembered being Thomas Edison's invention of the incandescent electric light bulb in 1878. - * Robert L. -
Refining the UW–Madison Campus Dan Okoli, NCARB, AIA University Architect
Beneficent Beauty: Refining the UW–Madison Campus Dan Okoli, NCARB, AIA University Architect WISCAPE – Presentation 10.27.08 Campus Design Guide University of Wisconsin-Madison An Approach to a Functional and Pleasing Composition QUESTION 3 What should our campus look and feel like in the near and long term? GOOD EXAMPLES OF WHAT NOT TO DO 4 McFadden Hall, 1919 GOOD EXAMPLES OF WHAT NOT TO DO 5 McFadden Hall, 1919 After 1960’s Renovation Schear Hall,1960’s Addition GOOD EXAMPLES OF WHAT NOT TO DO 6 McFadden Hall, 1919 After 1960’s Renovation 2008 Renovation GREAT CAMPUS PLACES 7 Memorial Union Terrace Memorial Union Terrace Memorial Union Memorial Union Interior Bascom Hill Memorial Union Interior Bascom Hall Bascom Hill Bascom Hall GREAT CAMPUS PLACES 8 Bascom Hill Bascom Hall Memorial Union Terrace Agricultural Hall Library Mall Allen Centennial Gardens Lakeshore Path BascomScience Hill Hall and Bascom Hill School of Education NOT SO GREAT CAMPUS PLACES 9 NOT SO GREAT CAMPUS PLACES 1 0 Old Ogg Hall Van Vleck Plaza Engineering Research Building Van Hise Hall Humanities Building Peterson Building Social Sciences Building Union South Biotron Laboratory EDUCATION BUILDING EXAMPLE 1 1 Selected Design Option Open Space North of Education Building North Elevation of Education Building Interior Atrium BIOCHEMISTRY I EXAMPLE 1 2 BIOCHEMISTRY II EXAMPLE 1 3 BIOCHEMISTRY I 1 4 BIOCHEMISTRY COMPLEX 1 5 WISCONSIN INSTITUTES FOR DISCOVERY 1 6 WISCONSIN INSTITUTES FOR DISCOVERY 1 7 WISCONSIN INSTITUTES FOR DISCOVERY 1 8 WISCONSIN INSTITUTES FOR DISCOVERY -
Solar Observatory
SOLAR OBSERVATORY Fig. 1. The Watson Solar Observatory c. 1920. Below the building was a twenty foot deep cellar, and a 55 foot horizontal shaft through the hill to a reflector at the surface on the north side. This building was erected by Professor James C. Watson using his own money and labor. Because of the stone reading "Watson Solar Observatory", the building became known as the Watson Mystery House. [series 9/1 Solar Obser- vatory folder, jf-4] The Solar Observatory was built by astronomer James Watson, with his own funds and labor for the purpose of looking for a hypothetical planet near the sun. The experiment did not reveal the planet, and the building was used for storage until its demolition in 1949. hen C. C. Washburn agreed to build an observatory for the University in 1876, the legisla- ture appropriated $3000 per year to fund the staffing and operation of the observatory. The Wperson hired for this job by President Bascom was James Craig Watson, the director of the observatory at Ann Arbor, Michigan. Watson had been a prodigy in astronomy, and was published at 19. His major professor Brunnow, when reproached for the small size of his teaching load exclaimed, "Yes I have only one student, but that one is Watson!"1 Watson became director of Michigan's obser- vatory at age 25 in 1863. Within a year he had discovered the first of what are called Watson's family of asteroids. In July of 1878 Watson went to Separation, Wyoming to observe a solar eclipse. -
Lillie Enclave” Fulham
Draft London Plan Consultation: ref. Chapter 7 Heritage - Neglect & Destruction February 2018 The “Lillie Enclave” Fulham Within a quarter mile radius of Lillie Bridge, by West Brompton station is A microcosm of the Industrial Revolution - A part of London’s forgotten heritage The enclave runs from Lillie Bridge along Lillie Road to North End Road and includes Empress (formerly Richmond) Place to the north and Seagrave Road, SW6 to the south. The roads were named by the Fulham Board of Works in 1867 Between the Grade 1 Listed Brompton Cemetery in RBKC and its Conservation area in Earl’s Court and the Grade 2 Listed Hermitage Cottages in H&F lies an astonishing industrial and vernacular area of heritage that English Heritage deems ripe for obliteration. See for example, COIL: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1439963. (Former HQ of Piccadilly Line) The area has significantly contributed to: o Rail and motor Transport o Building crafts o Engineering o Rail, automotive and aero industries o Brewing and distilling o Art o Sport, Trade exhibitions and mass entertainment o Health services o Green corridor © Lillie Road Residents Association, February1 2018 Draft London Plan Consultation: ref. Chapter 7 Heritage - Neglect & Destruction February 2018 Stanford’s 1864 Library map: The Lillie Enclave is south and west of point “47” © Lillie Road Residents Association, February2 2018 Draft London Plan Consultation: ref. Chapter 7 Heritage - Neglect & Destruction February 2018 Movers and Shakers Here are some of the people and companies who left their mark on just three streets laid out by Sir John Lillie in the old County of Middlesex on the border of Fulham and Kensington parishes Samuel Foote (1722-1777), Cornishman dramatist, actor, theatre manager lived in ‘The Hermitage’. -
Investigations of the Interstellar Medium at Washburn Observatory, 1930-58
Journal of Astronomical History andheritage 7(2):85-94 2004 Investigations of the interstellar medium at Washburn Observatory, 1930-58 David S Liebl* University of Wisconsin- College of Engineering, 432 North Lake Street, Rm. 311, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA E-mail: [email protected] Christopher Fluke Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing, Swinbume University ofTeclmo/ogy, PO Box 218, Victoria 3122, Australia E-mail: [email protected] Abstract Behveen 1930 and 1958, the Washburn Observatory of the University of Wisconsin-Madison was home to pioneering photometric research into the interstellar medium by Joel Stebbins and Albert Whitford. Between 1933 and 1941, Stebbins and Whitford published seminal research on the photometry of stellar reddening, using the Washburn 15-inch refractor and the 60- and 100-inch reflectors at Mount Wilson Observatory. Many factors were responsible for the Washburn Observatory's pre-eminence in this area. l11is paper reviews their research on interstellar dust during the years 1922 58, the observational teclmology and scientific methods that were developed at the Washburn Observatory during that time and the scientific discoveries that originated there. We discuss the factors that enabled WashburnObservatory to become a leader in photometry during the first half of the twentieth century. We also draw on the recollections of past and present Washburn Observatory scientists1 to understand how Washburn's standing led to a subsequent programme of research into the interstellar medium at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The resulting portrayal of Washburn Observatory provides insights into the evolution of astronomical research in America, from the beginning of the hventieth cenh1ry until today. -
Generated on 2012-08-23 18:24 GMT
1SS5 mtt TEGfiNIG. OLD SERIES, NO. II. NEW SERIES, NO. 8. University of Michigan Engineering Society. ALEX. M. HAUBRICH, HEMAN BURR LEONARD, Managing Editor. Business Manager. THOMAS DURAND McCOLL, HOMER WILSON WYCKOFF, CHARLES HENRY SPENCER. THE DETROIT OBSERVATORY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN. ASAPH HALL, JR., PH.D. This Observatory was built about 1854 through the efforts of Presi- dent Tappan, money for the purpose being raised in Detroit. Mr. Henry N. Walker of Detroit was especially interested in the project and gave funds for the purchase of a meridian circle. The Observatory building is of the usual old-fashioned type, a cen- tral part on the top of which is the dome for the equatorial, and eaBt and west wings, the meridian circle being in the east wing and the library in the west. All the walls are of heavy masonry. About 1853 Dr. Tappan visited Europe and consulted Encke, direc- tor of the Berlin Observatory and Professor of Astronomy in the Uni- versity of Berlin, with regard to the Ann Arbor Observatory. By his advice a meridian circle was ordered of Pistor and Martins and a clock of Tiede. At this time Francis Brunnow was first assistant in the Berlin Obser- vatory. Probably it was through Encke that Brunnow came, in 1854, to- the University of Michigan as the first Professor of Astronomy and. Generated on 2012-08-23 18:24 GMT / http://hdl.handle.net/2027/mdp.39015071371267 Open Access, Google-digitized / http://www.hathitrust.org/access_use#oa-google 10 Thk Technic. Director of the Observatory. 1 think it likely that the 12} inch Fitz equatorial was ordered before his coming; but it was not delivered till after he was on the ground. -
State of Wisconsin General Obligation Authority As of July 31, 2015
04-Aug-15 State Of Wisconsin Page 1 of 198 General Obligation Authority As of July 31, 2015 2(S) U.W. Academic Facilities Appropriation/ Project_Name Appr/ Project Enumerated Authority Allotted Authority Balance AQUATIC SCIENCE/TECH ED CENTER S005 350,000.00 MIL - FRESHWATER SCI ADDITION 10E3H 350,000.00 350,000.00 0.00 STOUT HARVEY HALL THEATER RMDL S035 5,139,000.00 STO HARVEY HALL RENOVATION 08A2B 5,139,000.00 5,139,000.00 0.00 UWEC - EDUCATION BLDG FY11-13 S039 44,000,000.00 EAU EDUCATION & SERVICES BLDG 08A1Z 44,000,000.00 44,000,000.00 0.00 UWSYS UTILITIES IMPROVEMENTS S041 46,509,750.46 MSN MICROBIAL SCIENCE BLDG. 00K4A 2,930,406.00 MSN INTERDISCIPLINARY CTR. 02G1S 412,000.00 MAD - CAMPUS UTILITY UPGRADE 04A1W 10,064,188.78 MSN-W.CAMPUS UTILITY UPGRADE 05I2H 16,864,282.18 PKS - THIRD CENTRAL CHILLER 06C1S 842,499.84 LAC W CAMPUS CHILLED WTR PLANT 13B3K 4,300,830.00 Closed CLSD 4,968,543.66 40,382,750.46 6,127,000.00 UWGB PHEONIX SPORTS CENTER S044 7,492,594.51 MIL COLUMBIA-ST MARYS HOSP CAM 10G3K 9,240.00 Closed CLSD 7,483,354.51 7,492,594.51 0.00 UWCOL MOVEABLE EQUIPMENT S045 1,218,653.99 COL - RCH EAST HALL EQUIPMENT 10H1L 184,905.42 Closed CLSD 1,033,748.57 1,218,653.99 0.00 RVF-HEALTH AND HUMAN PERF S047 50,491,000.00 RVF FALCON CTR FOR HEALTH&ED 11A1E 50,491,000.00 50,491,000.00 0.00 SYSTEM-CLASSROOM RENOV/INSTRUC S050 13,225,495.01 MSN-21ST TELECOMM. -
National Register of Historic Places – Single Property Listings – Ann Arbor, Michigan From
National Register of Historic Places – Single Property Listings – Ann Arbor, Michigan From http://www.nps.gov/nr/about.htm Resource Name: Anderson, William, House Reference Number: 82002884 Address: 2301 Packard Road City or Town: Ann Arbor County: Washtenaw State: Michigan List Date: 08/19/1982 Period of Significance: 1800-1899 Significant Dates: circa 1853 Areas of Significance: Architecture; Exploration/Settlement Architectural Classification(s): Greek Revival Architect and/or Builder: Unknown Resource Name: Ann Arbor Central Fire Station Alternate Name: Firemen's Hall Reference Number: 72000658 Address: Corner of Fifth Avenue and Huron Street City or Town: Ann Arbor County: Washtenaw State: Michigan List Date: 01/13/1972 Period of Significance: 1800-1899 Significant Dates: 1883- Areas of Significance: Social/Humanitarian Architectural Classification(s): Italianate Resource Name: Bell-Spalding House Alternate Name: Tuomy House Reference Number: 90001957 Address: 2117 Washtenaw Avenue City or Town: Ann Arbor County: Washtenaw State: Michigan List Date: 12/28/1990 Period of Significance: 1854-1864 Areas of Significance: Architecture Architectural Classification(s): Greek Revival; Italian Villa Architect and/or Builder: Unknown Resource Name: Bennett, Henry, House Alternate Name: Reuben Kempf Reference Number: 73000959 Address: 312 South Division Street City or Town: Ann Arbor County: Washtenaw State: Michigan List Date: 03/01/1973 Period of Significance: 1800-1899 Areas of Significance: Architecture; Music Architectural Classification(s):