Special Collections Department
403 Parks Library
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-2140
RS 11/6/53
John Douglas Ryder (1907-1993)
Papers, 1927-1993, n.d.
Descriptive summary
creator: |
Ryder, John Douglas (1907-1993) |
title: |
Papers |
dates: |
1927-1993, n.d. |
extent: |
4.53 linear ft. (3 records center cartons, 1 document box, and 1 half-document box) |
collection number: |
RS 11/6/53 |
repository: |
University Archives, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University. |
Administrative information
access: |
Open for research |
publication rights: |
Consult Head, Special Collections Department |
preferred citation: |
John Douglas Ryder Papers, RS 11/6/53, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University Library. |
Biographical note
John (Jack) Douglas Ryder was born to John E. and Lucy Ryder in Columbus, Ohio, on 9 May 1907. He received his B.S. (1928) and M.S. (1929) in electrical engineering from Ohio State University. He received his Ph.D. (1944) from Iowa State University. Ryder was first employed by General Electric from 1929 to 1931. He then worked for Bailey Meter Co. of Cleveland, Ohio, where he was in charge of the electronic research division from 1931 until 1941. While working there, he received twenty-four patents for automatic control applications of electronics and temperature measurement. Ryder was hired as Assistant Professor (1941-1944) in the Department of Electrical Engineering at Iowa State University. He was promoted to Professor (1944-1949). Ryder served as Acting Head (1944-1946) of the Electrical Engineering Department and as Assistant Director (1947-1949) of the Iowa Engineering Experiment Station. At Iowa State, Ryder worked with Warren Boast to construct a high-frequency network analyzer. In 1949, Ryder left Iowa State to become Professor and Head (1949-1954) of the Electrical Engineering Department at the University of Illinois. Ryder then became Professor (1954-1972) and Dean (1954-1968) of the College of Engineering at Michigan State University. At Michigan State, Ryder reformed the engineering curriculum and, in 1963, supervised the construction of a new building for the College of Engineering. Upon his retirement in 1973, Ryder became an advisor for the University of Florida-Central Florida Community College. Ryder spoke and wrote prolifically on the subjects of engineering and education in engineering. Books authored by Ryder include Networks, Lines and Fields (1949); Electronic Fundamentals and Applications (1950); Electronic Engineering Principles (1952); and Engineering Electronics with Industrial Applications and Control (1957). Ryder held membership and office in many professional associations and societies. He was a fellow of both the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He served as President (1953) of the National Electronics Conference, President (1955) of the Institute of Radio Engineers, President (1988-1989) of the American Society for Engineering Education, and Executive Vice President (1974) of IEEE. Ryder also served on the committee charged with forming IEEE by merging the Institute of Radio Engineers (IRE) and the American Institute of Electrical Engineers (AIEE). Ryder was accorded numerous honors and awards for engineering achievement and engineering education in his life, including being named to the IEEE Centennial Hall of Fame in 1984. Ryder married Sylvia MacCalla of Youngstown, Ohio. Together they had two children, Barbara and John. Ryder died on July 28, 1993. |
Collection description
This collection (1927-1993, n.d.) contains biographical information, correspondence, writings and creative works, and materials related to Ryder's professional activities and associations. Much of the personal information about Ryder included in the collection is contained in faculty information forms, awards materials, photographs, personal correspondence, newspaper clippings, and memorabilia. In addition to the personal correspondence, there are also files of business and general correspondence to and from Ryder. Ryder's academic activities are documented by his college thesis and dissertation, as well as other reports written by him. Other materials include awards and honors information, a photograph of the electrical engineering class of 1928, and information about alumni activities. The collection also contains some of Ryder's written works including papers, articles, and editorials. Also included are chapter drafts prepared for his book, speeches, patents, and humorous writings. Information related to professional and academic associations Ryder was involved with consists of documents from the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, including awards, copies of the organization's published journal, the history of the association, and meeting minutes and correspondence related to the Centennial Task Force. In addition, the series has material from the United States Agency for International Development, the American Society for Engineering Education, and the Junior Engineering Technical Society, such as newspaper clippings and correspondence. There are also awards, honors, and photographs from Ryder's time at Michigan State University. Additional material related to Ryder's professional activities consists of reports and research regarding the Bailey Meter Company, applications for federal employment, information concerning the Frutchey Bean Company lawsuit, photographs of equipment, designs, and notes. |
Organization
Description of series
| Series 1 | Biographical Information |
1935-1993, n.d. |
| extent: | 7 folders |
|
| description: | This series contains awards, photographs, personal correspondence, newspaper clippings, and memorabilia. This series is listed alphabetically. |
|
Container list
Box |
Folder |
Title |
Dates |
4 |
6 |
Awards |
1961-1986, n.d. |
5 |
3 |
Biographical information and news clippings |
1942-1993 |
4 |
8 |
Correspondence |
1968-1980 |
5 |
2 |
Memorabilia |
1935-1990 |
5 |
1 |
Memorabilia |
1949-1985, n.d. |
4 |
9 |
News clippings |
1949-1987 |
4 |
7 |
Photographs (17- 8x10" b/w, 4- 5x7" b/w photographs) |
1953-1959, n.d. |
Description of series
| Series 2 | Academic and Education Activities |
1927-1978, n.d. |
| extent: | 8 folders |
|
| description: | This series consists of Ryder's thesis, dissertation, and other reports written by him. It also contains awards and honors, a photograph of the electrical engineering class of 1928, and information about alumni activities. This series is listed chronologically. |
|
Container list
Box |
Folder |
Title |
Dates |
1 |
11 |
Ohio State University physics report, Oscillograph |
1927 |
1 |
10 |
Ohio State University electrical engineering graduating class photo |
1928 |
1 |
13 |
Ohio State University master's thesis |
1929 |
1 |
12 |
Ohio State University class of 1928 alumni activities |
1929-1978 |
1 |
14 |
Case School of Applied Science |
1937-1941 |
1 |
15 |
Iowa State University awards and honors |
1942-1973, n.d. |
1 |
17 |
Iowa State University Ph.D. Dissertation |
1944 |
1 |
16 |
Iowa State University preliminary exam and graduation program |
1944 |
Description of series
| Series 3 | Creative Works |
1930-1992, n.d. |
| extent: | 32 folders |
|
| description: | This series contains papers, articles, and editorials by Ryder. It also has chapter drafts prepared for his book, speeches, patents, and humorous writings by Ryder. This series is listed alphabetically. |
|
Container list
Box |
Folder |
Title |
Dates |
3 |
13 |
AIEE "Electrical Engineering," editor's page |
1959-1964 |
3 |
2 |
Book chapter drafts |
n.d. |
3 |
3 |
Book chapter drafts |
n.d. |
3 |
4 |
Book chapter drafts |
n.d. |
3 |
5 |
Book chapter drafts |
n.d. |
3 |
6 |
Book chapter drafts |
n.d. |
3 |
7 |
Book chapter drafts |
n.d. |
3 |
8 |
Book chapter drafts |
n.d. |
3 |
9 |
Book chapter drafts |
n.d. |
3 |
10 |
Book chapter drafts |
n.d. |
3 |
11 |
Book chapter drafts |
n.d. |
2 |
27 |
Books, publishers announcements and reviews |
1962-1984, n.d. |
3 |
12 |
"Dean's Letter" |
1959-1964 |
3 |
14 |
Editorials and short articles |
1952-1991, n.d. |
2 |
28 |
Engineers and Electrons, chapter drafts |
1982 |
2 |
29 |
Engineers and Electrons, chapter drafts |
1982 |
3 |
1 |
Engineers and Electrons, correspondence |
1976-1986, n.d. |
2 |
31 |
Engineers and Electrons, correspondence |
1983-1984, n.d. |
2 |
30 |
Engineers and Electrons, reviews |
1984-1986, n.d. |
3 |
25 |
Humorous or informal writing |
1931-1988 |
3 |
26 |
Humorous or informal writing |
n.d. |
3 |
27 |
Humorous or informal writing |
n.d. |
3 |
15 |
Papers and articles |
1930-1955 |
3 |
16 |
Papers and articles |
1957-1978 |
3 |
17 |
Papers and articles |
1980-1984 |
3 |
18 |
Papers and articles |
1984-1990 |
3 |
19 |
Papers and articles |
1992, n.d. |
3 |
23 |
Patents |
1931-1938 |
3 |
24 |
Patents |
1940-1943, n.d. |
3 |
22 |
Purdue University speech |
1988 |
3 |
21 |
Purdue University speech, correspondence, printed material, newspaper clippings |
1988 |
3 |
20 |
Speeches |
1951-1992, n.d. |
Description of series
| Series 4 | General Correspondence |
1929-1993, n.d. |
| extent: | 9 folders |
|
| description: | This series contains professional and business letters to and from Ryder, including letters with Robert Schofield. This series is listed chronologically. |
|
Container list
Box |
Folder |
Title |
Dates |
3 |
29 |
Correspondence |
1929-1969 |
3 |
30 |
Correspondence |
1971-1979 |
3 |
31 |
Correspondence |
1980-1984 |
3 |
28 |
Correspondence with Robert Schofield |
1981-1988, n.d. |
4 |
1 |
Correspondence |
1985-1986 |
4 |
2 |
Correspondence |
1987-1988 |
4 |
3 |
Correspondence |
1989 |
4 |
4 |
Correspondence |
1990-1993 |
4 |
5 |
Correspondence |
n.d. |
Description of series
| Series 5 | Professional and Academic Associations |
1930-1992, n.d. |
| extent: | 50 folders |
|
| description: | This series consists of information from the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, including awards, copies of the organization's published journal, the history of the association, and meeting minutes and correspondence related to the Centennial Task Force. In addition, the series has material from the United States Agency for International Development, the American Society for Engineering Education, and the Junior Engineering Technical Society, such as newspaper clippings and correspondence. There are also awards, honors, and photographs from Ryder's time at Michigan State University. This series is listed alphabetically. |
|
Container list
Box |
Folder |
Title |
Dates |
1 |
39 |
American Institute of Electrical Engineers (AIEE)/Institute of Radio Engineers (IRE) merger forming Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), correspondence and logo design |
1962-1983 |
1 |
35 |
American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), correspondence |
1975-1989, n.d. |
1 |
37 |
ASEE goals of engineering education |
1965-1967 |
1 |
36 |
ASEE Meriam/Wiley award committee |
1988-1992 |
1 |
30 |
Central Florida Community College, Electronics Engineering Technical advisory Committee |
1986-1990, n.d. |
1 |
38 |
Correspondence and printed manual, Al Gross, Eta Kappa Nu |
1943-1987 |
1 |
34 |
Education correspondence |
1949-1987 |
1 |
33 |
Engineering enrollment data, articles from "Engineering Education" |
1975-1991 |
1 |
32 |
Engineering enrollment data, correspondence |
1978 |
1 |
31 |
Engineering enrollment date |
1962-1980, n.d. |
2 |
21 |
IEEE |
1966-1988 |
1 |
41 |
IEEE "Spectrum," editor's page |
1964-1965 |
2 |
7 |
IEEE "Spectrum" |
1980-1991, n.d. |
2 |
1 |
IEEE "Spectrum" |
1981-1991 |
1 |
40 |
IEEE awards and honors |
1973-1986 |
2 |
19 |
IEEE Centennial Task Force |
1975-1984 |
2 |
20 |
IEEE Centennial Task Force |
1985-1986, n.d. |
2 |
15 |
IEEE Centennial Task Force correspondence |
1974-1981 |
2 |
16 |
IEEE Centennial Task Force correspondence |
1982-1983 |
2 |
17 |
IEEE Centennial Task Force correspondence |
1984 |
2 |
18 |
IEEE Centennial Task Force correspondence |
1985-1992, n.d. |
2 |
13 |
IEEE Centennial Task Force meeting agendas and minutes |
1978-1982 |
2 |
14 |
IEEE Centennial Task Force meeting agendas and minutes |
1983-1984, n.d. |
2 |
2 |
IEEE engineering history |
1984 ca. |
2 |
3 |
IEEE engineering history |
1984 ca. |
2 |
11 |
IEEE Fellows |
1962-1975, n.d. |
2 |
12 |
IEEE Fellows |
1971-1990 |
2 |
10 |
IEEE history |
1985-1988, n.d. |
2 |
6 |
IEEE history committee |
1977-1987, n.d. |
2 |
5 |
IEEE press |
1987-1990, n.d. |
2 |
8 |
IEEE press, Keithly book |
1989-1991, n.d. |
2 |
4 |
IEEE, Education Society, correspondence |
1985 |
2 |
23 |
IRE "Presidents of the IRE," Poles and Zeros |
1958-1963 |
2 |
22 |
IRE president, notes, photo, newspaper clippings |
1955, n.d. |
1 |
18 |
Junior Engineering Technical Society (JETS) |
1957-1986 |
1 |
28 |
Michigan State University awards and honors |
1973 |
1 |
19 |
Michigan State University student counseling |
1958-1972 |
2 |
9 |
Old IEEE |
1974-1975, n.d. |
1 |
27 |
Photographs of Michigan State University retirement party (5- 8x10" b/w photographs) |
1972 |
2 |
25 |
Radio Club of America awards, newspaper clippings, printed material |
1945-1990 |
2 |
24 |
Radio Club of America correspondence |
1983-1990, n.d. |
1 |
29 |
Tri-State College |
1963-1968 |
1 |
21 |
United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Brazil reports |
1966-1968 |
1 |
20 |
University of Florida electrical engineering curriculum |
1960-1980 |
1 |
24 |
USAID, Brazil reports, Australia reports, correspondence |
1968, n.d. |
1 |
22 |
USAID, Brazil reports, correspondence |
1966 |
1 |
23 |
USAID, Brazil reports, correspondence |
1967 |
1 |
25 |
USAID, Brazil reports, newspaper clippings |
1966-1968 |
1 |
26 |
USAID, Brazil reports, printed material |
1966-1968 |
2 |
26 |
Windom Antenna |
1930 |
Description of series
| Series 6 | Professional Activities |
1930-1970,n.d. |
| extent: | 9 folders |
|
| description: | This series contains reports and research regarding the Bailey Meter Company, applications for federal employment, information concerning the Frutchey Bean Company lawsuit, photographs of equipment, designs, and notes. This series is listed alphabetically. |
|
Container list
Box |
Folder |
Title |
Dates |
1 |
4 |
Applications for federal employment |
1957-1970, n.d. |
1 |
3 |
Bailey Meter Company cracking equipment research and patent |
1938 ca. |
1 |
1 |
Bailey Meter Company instruction book |
1930 ca. |
1 |
2 |
Bailey Meter Company reports and research |
1931-1941 |
1 |
8 |
Designs |
1936 |
1 |
5 |
Frutchey Bean Company lawsuit |
1959 |
1 |
6 |
Frutchey Bean Company lawsuit and circuit diagrams |
1959 |
1 |
9 |
Notes and schematics |
n.d. |
1 |
7 |
Photographs of equipment (9- 8x10" b/w photographs) |
n.d. |