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Papers of Walter Slavin
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Held at: Science History Institute Archives [Contact Us]315 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Science History Institute Archives. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.
Overview and metadata sections
Walter Slavin was an American engineer, designer of scientific instruments, and scientific journal editor. Slavin graduated from the University of Maryland in 1949 with a degree in Physics and Mathematics. He spent the bulk of his professional career at Perkin-Elmer Corporation, an American manufacturer of scientific instruments. At Perkin-Elmer, he was a noted expert on atomic absorption spectroscopy. He is credited with leading the firm into the fields of flame atomic spectroscopy and furnace atomic spectroscopy.
At Perkin-Elmer, Slavin developed the first commercially successful atomic absorption spectrophotometer. He was responsible for setting up an analytical chemistry laboratory, which extended the applications of atomic absorption spectroscopy to environmental, biological, geological, and industrial applications. Slavin also organized Perkin-Elmer's Applied Research Department. He was a close friend of two leading proponents of atomic absorption spectroscopy, Alan Walsh and Boris L'vov, both of whom he brought into consultancy relationships with Perkin-Elmer. Slavin rose through Perkin-Elmer's research hierarchy over the course of his career, eventually reaching the rank of Senior Scientist, specializing in atomic absorption spectroscopy.
In addition to his work at Perkin-Elmer, Slavin was an active scientific journal editor. He was the founder and first editor of the Atomic Spectroscopy Journal (originally called the Atomic Absorption Newsletter). Slavin also served as the North American Editor and Editor-in-Chief of Spectrochimica Acta, Part B (originally called Spectrochimica Acta).
Walter Slavin authored numerous scientific articles and papers over the course of his career. He also authored two influential books on atomic absorption spectroscopy: Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (1968) and Graphite Furnace AAS: A Source Book (1984). Slavin was also the recipient of several awards, including the Anachem Award (1988), the Waters Symposium Award of the Pittsburgh Conference (1991), and Honorary Membership in the Society of Applied Spectroscopy (1998).
Sources
Encyclopedia of Analytical Chemistry. "Walter Slavin." EAC Website - John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Papers of Walter Slavin, Science History Institute Archives, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The Papers of Walter Slavin contain the personal and professional papers of American engineer, scientific instrument designer, and scientific journal editor Walter Slavin. The materials in this collection document Slavin's professional career with Perkin-Elmer Corporation. Slavin's editorship of Spectrochimica Acta, Part B is also documented here.
The collection is arranged into the following eight series:
- General Correspondence
- Spectrochimica Acta, Part B - Significant Correspondence
- Spectrochimica Acta, Part B Files
- Files of Historical Interest
- Reprints, Presentations, Etc.
- Projects
- "Short Course" and Workshop Materials
- Reports and Publications
The Papers of Walter Slavin were donated to the Science History Institute (formerly the Chemical Heritage Foundation) by Walter Slavin in June 2003.
The Papers of Walter Slavin were processed by Andrew Mangravite in January 2008.
People
Organization
Subject
- Publisher
- Science History Institute Archives
- Finding Aid Author
- Finding aid created by Andrew Mangravite and encoded into EAD by Kenton G. Jaehnig.
- Finding Aid Date
- 2008
- Access Restrictions
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There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes and the collection is open to the public.
- Use Restrictions
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The Science History Institute holds copyright to the Papers of Walter Slavin. The researcher assumes full responsibility for all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.
Collection Inventory
Arranged in its original alphabetical order by subject, this series contains Walter Slavin's general correspondence files. The correspondence in these files concern Slavin's professional and personal matters. Files regarding Slavin's colleagues, various countries, instrument companies, and research topics of interest to Slavin make up the largest components of the General Correspondence files. Small numbers of files concerning other miscellaneous subjects, including, but not limited to, government agencies, publishing firms, and publications are also preserved here.
Letters and memoranda make up the bulk of the materials in the General Correspondence files. Small amounts of miscellaneous accompanying materials, including, but not limited to, reports, article reprints, and article manuscripts are preserved in these files as well.
See also Box 11 Folder 4.
See also Box 11 Folder 2.
See "Connecticut (University of Connecticut)" Box 2 Folder 1.
Spectrochimica Acta, Part B is a monthly peer-reviewed scientific journal covering atomic spectroscopy. Originally called Spectrochimica Acta, this journal was first published in 1941 as a project of Springer-Verlag. A second volume appeared in 1944 amid the difficulties caused by World War II. After a brief hiatus, publication of Spectrochimica Acta resumed under the sponsorship of the Vatican, with a 700-page Volume 3 appearing in 1947. In 1950, Volume 4 was published under the imprint of Butterworth-Springer. Following the purchase of Butterworth-Springer by British media proprietor Robert Maxwell, Volume 5 appeared under the Pergamon Press imprint.
In 1967, due to ever-increasing number of submissions, Spectrochimica Acta split into two independent journals: Part A and Part B. After the split, Walter Slavin became the North American Editor of Spectrochimica Acta, Part B and briefly served as its Editor-in-Chief. Spectrochimica Acta, Part B remained under the imprint of Pergamon Press until it was sold to Elsevier in 1991.
Arranged in its original alphabetical order by subject, this series contains Walter Slavin's Spectrochimica Acta, Part B correspondence files. These files were personally selected by Slavin as significant. The contents of the files in this series consist mainly of correspondence. Article reprints and article manuscripts are found in these files as well.
See also Box 2 Folder 1 for later correspondence.
Mostly arranged in alphabetical order, this series contains Walter Slavin's Spectrochimica Acta, Part B files. This series consists of files pertaining to Spectrochimica Acta, Part B matters that are of a more general nature. Of particular interest in this series are the files concerning Russian chemist Boris L'vov (Boxes 17 thru 18b) and British-Australian physicist Alan Walsh (Boxes 26-28), both of whom were friends of Slavin and consultants for Perkin-Elmer.
Boris L'vov (1931-) was a Russian chemist and a leading authority in analytical and theoretical chemistry. Born in Leningrad, Russia on July 9, 1931, L'vov earned his M.S. from Leningrad State University in 1954. From 1955 to 1975, he served as a Researcher at the State Institute of Applied Chemistry in Leningrad. It was here that he entered the field of atomic absorption spectroscopy. In 1975, L'vov was named Chairman of the Analytical Chemistry Department at the Leningrad Polytechnic Institute. Inspired by the work of Sir Alan Walsh, he specialized in the development of high-temperature furnaces. Over the course of his career, L'vov's work became increasingly influential in both the applied and theoretical realms. In 1977, L'vov signed a consultancy agreement with Perkin-Elmer on behalf of Leningrad Polytechnic Institute. Walter Slavin was a key negotiator in the arrangement of L'vov's consultancy with Perkin-Elmer and a forceful advocate for L'vov and his theories.
Sir Alan Walsh (1916-1998) was a British-Australian physicist and the developer of atomic absorption spectroscopy. Born in Hoddleston, Lancashire, England on December 19, 1916, Walsh graduated from the University of Manchester with a degree in Physics in 1938 and began his postgraduate research immediately. During World War II, Walsh was employed as an investigator by the British Non-Ferrous Metals Research Association (BNF). Here he worked on the development and application of spectroscopic methods of metallurgical analysis. In 1946, Walsh accepted a position as Research Officer for Spectroscopic Investigations at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIRO) in Melbourne, Australia. Arriving in Australia in 1947, he remained at CSIRO for the next thirty years, during which time he gained worldwide renown as the father of atomic absorption spectroscopy. Among his admirers and colleagues were the Russian chemist Boris L'vov, whose own work in the field was inspired by Walsh's initial theoretical paper published in 1955, and Walter Slavin, who was instrumental in gaining Walsh a consultancy with Perkin-Elmer following Walsh's retirement from CSIRO. Walsh was knighted by the British government for his scientific contributions in 1977. He died in Melbourne, Australia on August 3, 1998.
Files concerning Boris L'vov and Sir Alan Walsh make up the largest components of this series. Smaller, but noticeable, numbers of files regarding article authors, article topics, and administrative matters are also found in this series. Small numbers of files concerning other miscellaneous matters, including, but not limited to, conferences and awards are also preserved here.
The contents of the Spectrochimica Acta, Part B Files consist of a variety of materials. Correspondence, article reprints, article preprints, and article drafts make up the bulk of the materials in these files. Memoranda, notes, and reports are also found in these files. Small amounts of other miscellaneous materials, including, but not limited to, articles, galley proofs, minutes, and legal documents are preserved in this series as well.
See also Box 14 Folders 1-2, Box 19 Folders 6-7, Box 20 Folders 1-2, Box 20 Folder 9, Box 23 Folders 6-8, Box 25 Folder 2, Box 25 Folders 5-6, Box 42 Folder 1, and Box 43 Folder 4.
See also Box 21 Folder 6.
See also Box 12 Folder 4, Box 14 Folder 2, Box 19 Folders 6-7, Box 20 Folders 1-2, Box 20 Folder 9, Box 23 Folders 6-8, Box 25 Folder 2, Box 25 Folders 5-6, Box 42 Folder 1, and Box 43 Folder 4.
See also Box 12 Folder 4, Box 14 Folder 1, Box 19 Folders 6-7, Box 20 Folders 1-2, Box 20 Folder 9, Box 23 Folders 6-8, Box 25 Folder 2, Box 25 Folders 5-6, Box 42 Folder 1, and Box 43 Folder 4.
See also Box 32 Folder 4.
See also Box 15 Folders 3-4.
See also Box 15 Folder 2 and Box 15 Folder 4.
See also Box 15 Folders 2-3.
See also Box 17 Folder 5.
See also Box 17 Folder 1.
Contains the following papers: L'vov, B.V. and A.V. Novichikhin. "Mechanism of Thermal Decomposition in Hydrated Copper Nitrate in Vacuo." Spectrochimica Acta, Part B (1995); Jackson, J.G., R.W. Fonseca, and J.A. Holcombe. "Mass Spectral Studies of Thermal Decomposition of Metal Nitrates." Spectrochimica Acta, Part B (1995); L'vov, B.V. and A.V. Novichikhin. "Mechanism of Thermal Decomposition of Anhydrous Metal Nitrates." Spectrochimica Acta, Part B (1995). The fourth paper appears to be missing, although there is a draft for: Jackson, J.G., A. Novichikhin, R.W. Fonseca, and J.A. Holcombe. "Mass Spectral Studies of Thermal Decomposition of Metal Nitrates: An Introduction to the Discussion of Two Mechanisms," which may be an early version of the second listed paper. There is also an editorial introduction by Walter Slavin to this series of papers.
See also Box 12 Folder 4, Box 14 Folders 1-2, Box 19 Folder 7, Box 20 Folders 1-2, Box 20 Folder 9, Box 23 Folders 6-8, Box 25 Folder 2, Box 25 Folders 5-6, Box 42 Folder 1, and Box 43 Folder 4.
See also Box 12 Folder 4, Box 14 Folders 1-2, Box 19 Folder 7, Box 20 Folders 1-2, Box 20 Folder 9, Box 23 Folders 6-8, Box 25 Folder 2, Box 25 Folders 5-6, Box 42 Folder 1, and Box 43 Folder 4.
File includes a 3.5 inch diskette.
See also Box 12 Folder 4, Box 14 Folders 1-2, Box 19 Folders 6-7, Box 20 Folder 2, Box 20 Folder 9, Box 23 Folders 6-8, Box 25 Folder 2, Box 25 Folders 5-6, Box 42 Folder 1, and Box 43 Folder 4.
See also Box 12 Folder 4, Box 14 Folders 1-2, Box 19 Folders 6-7, Box 20 Folder 2, Box 20 Folder 9, Box 23 Folders 6-8, Box 25 Folder 2, Box 25 Folders 5-6, Box 42 Folder 1, and Box 43 Folder 4.
Includes a 3.5 inch diskette.
See also Box 12 Folder 4, Box 14 Folders 1-2, Box 19 Folders 6-7, Box 20 Folders 1-2, Box 23 Folders 6-8, Box 25 Folder 2, Box 25 Folders 5-6, Box 42 Folder 1, and Box 43 Folder 4.
See also Box 13 Folder 3.
See also Box 12 Folder 3, Box 14 Folders 1-2, Box 19 Folders 6-7, Box 20 Folders 1-2, Box 20 Folder 9, Box 23 Folders 7-8, Box 25 Folder 2, Box 25 Folders 5-6, Box 42 Folder 1, and Box 43 Folder 4.
See also Box 12 Folder 3, Box 14 Folders 1-2, Box 19 Folders 6-7, Box 20 Folders 1-2, Box 20 Folder 9, Box 23 Folders 7-8, Box 25 Folder 2, Box 25 Folders 5-6, Box 42 Folder 1, and Box 43 Folder 4.
See also Box 12 Folder 3, Box 14 Folders 1-2, Box 19 Folders 6-7, Box 20 Folders 1-2, Box 20 Folder 9, Box 23 Folders 7-8, Box 25 Folder 2, Box 25 Folders 5-6, Box 42 Folder 1, and Box 43 Folder 4.
See also Box 12 Folder 4, Box 14 Folders 1-2, Box 19 Folder 6-7; Box 20 Folders 1-2, Box 20 Folder 9, Box 23 Folders 6-8, Box 25 Folders 5-6, Box 42 Folder 1, and Box 43 Folder 4.
See also Box 12 Folder 4, Box 14 Folders 1-2, Box 19 Folders 6-7, Box 20 Folders 1-2, Box 20 Folder 9, Box 23 Folders 6-8, Box 25 Folder 2, Box 25 Folder 6, Box 42 Folder 1, and Box 43 Folder 4.
See also Box 12 Folder 4, Box 14 Folders 1-2, Box 19 Folders 6-7, Box 20 Folders 1-2, Box 20 Folder 9, Box 23 Folders 6-8, Box 25 Folder 2, Box 25 Folder 5, Box 42 Folder 1, and Box 43 Folder 4.
This series contains files collected and maintained by Walter Slavin that he considered to be of historical interest. The contents of the Files of Historical Interest are arranged into the following two sub-series:
- Sir Alan Walsh - Early Files
- Historical
Arranged chronologically by year, this sub-series consists of Walter Slavin's correspondence files regarding British-Australian physicist Sir Alan Walsh. The materials in these files document Slavin's early dealings with Walsh and Walsh's consultancy with Perkin-Elmer.
The contents of these files consist mainly of correspondence. Article reprints are also preserved here.
Arranged alphabetically by subject, this sub-series consists of subject files collected by Walter Slavin that he considered to be of historical interest. Files regarding scientific topics of interest to Slavin (including atomic absorption spectroscopy and gas chromatography) and Perkin-Elmer make up the largest components of this sub-series. Small numbers of files regarding a handful of other miscellaneous topics, including, but not limited to scientific instruments and Boris L'vov are also found here.
The contents of the Historical files consist of a variety of materials. Reports, correspondence, memoranda, and article reprints are the most common materials found in these files. Other miscellaneous materials, including, but not limited to, notes, data, article manuscripts, and patents are preserved in this sub-series as well.
See also Box 17, Box 18, and Box 18b.
See also Box 17, Box 18, and Box 18b.
See also Box 15 Folder 3.
Arranged alphabetically by subject, this series contains files regarding written works authored and co-authored by Walter Slavin over the course of his career, including articles, papers, and books. It also contains files regarding presentations, lectures, and speeches presented by Slavin at meetings and conferences. The files in this series document Slavin's efforts to publicize his work to the scientific community. They also provide information about the research work conducted by Slavin, including his work at Perkin-Elmer.
The contents of the files in this series consist of a variety of materials. Article reprints, correspondence, manuscripts, and reports are the most common materials found in these files. Other miscellaneous materials, including, but not limited to, papers, data, and overhead slides are preserved here as well.
Number 355 was presented at the Rio Graphite Furnace Conference in June 1992. Number 364 is Walter Slavin's discussion of the work of Boris L'vov.
See also Box 34 Folder 6.
See also Box 34 Folder 5.
See also Box 37 Folder 1.
See also Box 36 Folder 5.
Arranged alphabetically by subject, this series contains project files collected and maintained by Walter Slavin. The files in this series regard some of the individual projects Slavin worked on. Slavin worked on most of these projects under Perkin-Elmer's auspices. A few projects that Slavin worked on independently are also represented in this series. Files documenting research projects that Slavin was involved with make up the largest component of this series. Files documenting other miscellaneous projects worked on by Slavin, including, but not limited to, papers, articles, and seminars, are also preserved here.
Correspondence, memoranda, studies, and article reprints are the most common materials found in the Projects files. Small amounts of other miscellaneous materials, including, but not limited to, paper and article manuscripts, data, and notes are preserved here as well.
See also Box 12 Folder 4, Box 14 Folders 1-2, Box 19 Folders 6-7, Box 20 Folders 1-2, Box 20 Folder 9, Box 23 Folders 6-8, Box 25 Folder 2, Box 25 Folders 5-6, Box 42 Folder 1, and Box 43 Folder 4.
Arranged alphabetically by subject, this series contains files regarding training courses and workshops that Walter Slavin participated in as an instructor or an attendee. The contents of these files include correspondence, notes, slides, brochures, and other miscellaneous course and workshop materials.
See also Box 12 Folder 4, Box 14 Folders 1-2, Box 19 Folders 6-7, Box 20 Folders 1-2, Box 20 Folder 9, Box 23 Folders 6-8, Box 25 Folder 2, Box 25 Folder 5-6, Box 42 Folder 1, and Box 43 Folder 4.
See also Box 44 Folder 1.
See also Box 43 Folder 7.
This series contains reports and publications collected and maintained by Walter Slavin. Some of the materials in this series were authored by Slavin himself. The contents of the Reports and Publications are arranged into the following three sub-series:
- Publications
- Reports
- Technical Data in Binders
Arranged in its original order, this sub-series contains publications collected and maintained by Walter Slavin. Its contents consist of reprints of articles authored by Slavin and a manuscript of Slavin's book Graphite Furnace AAS: A Source Book.
Arranged in its original order, this sub-series contains Perkin-Elmer reports regarding scientific instruments that were collected and maintained by Walter Slavin. Two of the reports were authored by Slavin himself. The rest of the reports in this series were authored by other Perkin-Elmer staff.
Arranged alphabetically by subject, this sub-series contains printed technical data materials collected and maintained by Walter Slavin. Most of the materials in this sub-series were printed by Perkin-Elmer. Technical data materials printed by American Instrument Company, for whom Slavin worked early in his career, are also present here. The contents of this sub-series include reprints and technical notes.