Guide to the North Carolina State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering Records, 1928-2006

Collection Number UA 100.014

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Collection Information
Abstract:

These records relate to the department's academic and research activities and contain correspondence, scholarship information, course and curriculum information, departmental history, facilities and farm equipment information, legal documents, research project records, and files on departmental extension and outreach work. Also included are a number of technical drawings of farm equipment patented by department personnel.

Contact Information:
Special Collections Research Center
NCSU Libraries
Campus Box 7111
Raleigh, North Carolina
27695-7111 USA
Phone: (919) 515-2273
Fax: (919) 513-1787
URL: http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/specialcollections/
Web Contact Form
Processed by
Pat Webber
Date Completed
November, 2003
Encoded by
Pat Webber
Finding aid updated by
Karen Paar and Todd Kosmerick, 2007

Descriptive Summary

Creator

North Carolina State University. College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Title

The North Carolina State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering Records, 1928-2006

Call Number

UA 100.014

Extent

12 archival storage boxes, 11 cartons, 1 oversize flat box, 11 flat files, 26 linear feet

Location

For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Special Collections Research Center Reference Staff.

Information for Users

Restrictions to Access

This collection is open for research; access requires at least 24 hours advance notice.
Acquisitions Information

Transferred from the North Carolina State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Consult University Archivist for additional information.
Preferred Citation

[Identification of Item], North Carolina State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering Records, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, North Carolina.
Copyright Notice

The nature of the NCSU Libraries' Special Collections means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The NCSU Libraries claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials.

The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.

Historical Note


Although classes in topics such as "Farm Drainage" were taught since the college first opened in 1889, organized agricultural engineering education at North Carolina State only began in 1917, as an offering of several related courses in the Department of Agronomy. A four-year course of study was offered from that time, but few students availed themselves of it, and only in 1935 did a student graduate with a B.S. in Agriculture from the program. In 1937, the program's name was changed, and the degree became a B.S. in Agricultural Engineering.

In 1940, the program separated from Agronomy, becoming a full-fledged department. The first Head was David S. Weaver, who served until 1948. Weaver not only concerned himself with developing the department, but also in continuing his pioneering work in rural electrification across the state. In addition, the department moved several times during this period, ultimately residing in Clark Hall.

G. Wallace Giles served as the second department head, and during his tenure the department moved into its current spaces in the Weaver Labs Building, named for D.S. Weaver. During Giles' tenure the department began offering graduate degrees, a Masters in 1948 and a Doctorate in 1957. Giles led the department until 1961, expanding the research and extension work performed by the faculty. He was succeeded by F.J. "Pat" Hassler, who served until 1987. In 1965, the department adopted its current name. Subsequent department heads included James H. Ruff, David B. Beasley, and James H. Young.

Today the department's main undergraduate research focus is on Biological Engineering, taking G. W. Giles' recommendation to pay attention to "the internal mechanism of biological production and to the external operations and environment that influence this mechanism." The department emphasizes training in biomedical, bioprocessing, and environmental engineering work. The department continues to perform a variety of extension tasks as well, including emphasis on water and waste management programs, among many others.

List of Department Heads

1940-1948 David S. Weaver
1948-1961 G. Wallace Giles
1961-1987 Francis J. "Pat" Hassler
1987-1990 James H. Ruff
1991-1999 David B. Beasley
1999-2006 James H. Young
2006- Robert O. Evans

Scope and Content Note


The collection consists of departmental records from 1928 to 2006, with the bulk of the collection falling between 1940 to 1970. The collection is arranged into five series, which in turn are arranged into sub-series where appropriate. The series are Departmental Information, Research and Development, Extension and Outreach, Oversize Materials, and Unprocessed Records. The records detail not only departmental academic activities but also work done outside the department. A large portion of the records concerns the development of a variety of types of farm equipment, represented here by patent applications, drawings, and legal documents relating to their production and use.

In addition, there is a significant amount of material relating to the department's extension work. Extension Plans of Work detail this activity during the formative years of the department and during the period of greatest growth of the unit's extension activities. These records also detail the department's role in the rural electrification movement during the 1950s.

Online Catalog Headings

Agricultural Engineering
Agricultural Machinery
Agricultural Research -- North Carolina
Agriculture -- North Carolina
4-H Clubs -- North Carolina -- History
Giles, George Wallace
Hassler, Francis J.
Rural Electrification -- North Carolina
North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Stations
Weaver, David Statham

Related Materials

[HTML] North Carolina State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Records, UA 100
[HTML] North Carolina State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Annual Reports, UA 100.002
[HTML] David Statham Weaver Papers, MC 00026
[HTML] Howard M. Ellis Papers, MC 00175
[HTML] David H. Howells Papers, MC 00263

Detailed Description of the Collection

  • Departmental Information, 1935-1996


    4.5 archival storage boxes, 2.25 linear feet

    The Departmental Information series contains records on the administrative and day-to-day operations of the department. Included are information on scholarships and facilities, curricula, program reviews, and the departmental extension plan of work from 1935 to 1983. The Correspondence sub-series contains letters and memos concerning departmental activity. In addition, this sub-series details interaction with a number of businesses the department dealt with, letters about various types of farm equipment, and patent disclosures.

    • General Files, 1935-1996
      • Departmental Information, 1948-1985, undated [UA 100.014 Box 1 Folder 1]
      • Facilities, 1970-1971 [UA 100.014 Box 1 Folder 2]
      • Scholarships, Departmental, 1959-1965 [UA 100.014 Box 1 Folder 3]
      • Comprehensive and Graduate Program Reviews, 1996 [UA 100.014 Box 1 Folder 4]
      • ECPD Accreditation Inspection, 1963-1969 [UA 100.014 Box 1 Folder 5]
      • Plan of Work, Agricultural Engineering Extension
        • 1935 [UA 100.014 Box 1 Folder 6]
        • 1936 [UA 100.014 Box 1 Folder 7]
        • 1937 [UA 100.014 Box 1 Folder 8]
        • 1938 [UA 100.014 Box 1 Folder 9]
        • 1939 [UA 100.014 Box 1 Folder 10]
        • 1940 [UA 100.014 Box 1 Folder 11]
        • 1941 [UA 100.014 Box 1 Folder 12]
        • 1942 [UA 100.014 Box 1 Folder 13]
        • 1943 [UA 100.014 Box 1 Folder 14]
        • 1944 [UA 100.014 Box 1 Folder 15]
        • 1945 [UA 100.014 Box 1 Folder 16]
        • 1946 [UA 100.014 Box 1 Folder 17]
        • 1947 [UA 100.014 Box 1 Folder 18]
        • 1948 [UA 100.014 Box 1 Folder 19]
        • 1949 [UA 100.014 Box 1 Folder 20]
        • 1950 [UA 100.014 Box 2 Folder 1]
        • 1951 [UA 100.014 Box 2 Folder 2]
        • 1952 [UA 100.014 Box 2 Folder 3]
        • 1953 [UA 100.014 Box 2 Folder 4]
        • 1954 [UA 100.014 Box 2 Folder 5]
        • 1955 [UA 100.014 Box 2 Folder 6]
        • 1956 [UA 100.014 Box 2 Folder 7]
        • 1957 [UA 100.014 Box 2 Folder 8]
        • 1958 [UA 100.014 Box 2 Folder 9]
        • 1959 [UA 100.014 Box 2 Folder 10]
        • 1960 [UA 100.014 Box 2 Folder 11]
        • 1961 [UA 100.014 Box 2 Folder 12]
        • 1962-1963 [UA 100.014 Box 2 Folder 13]
        • 1963-1964 [UA 100.014 Box 2 Folder 14]
        • 1964-1965 [UA 100.014 Box 2 Folder 15]
        • 1965-1966 [UA 100.014 Box 2 Folder 16]
        • 1966-1967 [UA 100.014 Box 2 Folder 17]
        • 1967-1968 [UA 100.014 Box 2 Folder 18]
        • 1968-1969 [UA 100.014 Box 2 Folder 19]
      • Plan of Work, Specialists, 1968-1969 [UA 100.014 Box 2 Folder 20]
      • Plan of Work, Biological and Agricultural Engineering Extension
        • 1969-1970 [UA 100.014 Box 2 Folder 21]
        • 1970-1971 [UA 100.014 Box 2 Folder 22]
        • 1971-1972 [UA 100.014 Box 2 Folder 23]
        • 1972-1973 [UA 100.014 Box 3 Folder 1]
        • 1973-1974 [UA 100.014 Box 3 Folder 2]
        • 1974-1975 [UA 100.014 Box 3 Folder 3]
        • 1975-1976 [UA 100.014 Box 3 Folder 4]
        • 1976-1977 [UA 100.014 Box 3 Folder 5]
        • 1977-1978 [UA 100.014 Box 3 Folder 6]
        • 1978-1979 [UA 100.014 Box 3 Folder 7]
        • 1979-1980 [UA 100.014 Box 3 Folder 8]
        • 1980-1981 [UA 100.014 Box 3 Folder 9]
        • 1981-1982 [UA 100.014 Box 3 Folder 10]
        • 1982-1983 [UA 100.014 Box 3 Folder 11]
    • Correspondence, 1956-1981
      • General, 1960-1965 [UA 100.014 Box 3 Folder 12]
      • Barefoot, William H., 1974-1976 [UA 100.014 Box 3 Folder 13]
      • Carreras Rothmans, Ltd., 1974-1981 [UA 100.014 Box 3 Folder 14]
      • Corn Products Company, 1959-1976 [UA 100.014 Box 4 Folder 1]
      • CSRS Review, 1966-1969, undated [UA 100.014 Box 4 Folder 2]
      • Cucumber Harvester, 1966-1975 [UA 100.014 Box 4 Folder 3]
      • Electric Pistachio Sorter, 1975-1979 [UA 100.014 Box 4 Folder 4]
      • "Hay Drier" Pamphlet, 1956-1957 [UA 100.014 Box 4 Folder 5]
      • Patent Disclosures
        • 1961-1969, undated [UA 100.014 Box 4 Folder 6]
        • 1970-1974 [UA 100.014 Box 4 Folder 7]
        • 1975-1978 [UA 100.014 Box 4 Folder 8]
      • Scholarships
        • Bouligny Inc., 1958-1961 [UA100.014 Box 5 Folder 1]
        • Cole Manufacturing Company, 1959-1983 [UA 100.014 Box 5 Folder 2]
        • General, 1960-1975 [UA 100.014 Box 5 Folder 3]
      • Spell, Perry W., 1961-1976 [UA 100.014 Box 5 Folder 4]
      • University Patent Committee, 1968-1980 [UA 100.014 Box 5 Folder 5]

    [Return to Descriptive Summary]

  • Research and Development, 1935-1981


    3.5 archival storage boxes, 1.75 linear feet

    The Research and Development series contains records on reports written by and technological developments undertaken by members of the department. The Papers, Reports, and Research sub-series contains papers, grant results, and article clippings relating to various projects. The Equipment sub-series details the development of numerous pieces of farm equipment within the department, most importantly perhaps are the "Once-over Fertilizer Distributor" and the "Clip-Oil" pesticide applicator. These files also contain student reports, clippings, and drawings. The Legal Documents sub-series holds material including lease agreements, memoranda of understanding, and patent disclosures and applications. These last files further document the development of the many items of farm equipment created or improved upon by the department. Additional material can also be found in the Oversize Materials series.

    • Papers, Reports, and Research, 1953-1981
      • Bulk Curing of Tobacco, 1957-1960 [UA 100.014 Box 5 Folder 6]
      • Cotton Mechanization, 1954-1965 [UA 100.014 Box 5 Folder 7]
      • Ford Foundation Research, 1960-1961 [UA 100.014 Box 5 Folder 8]
      • General Research, 1960-1974, undated [UA 100.014 Box 5 Folder 9]
      • Indian Institute of Technology, 1965-1971 [UA 100.014 Box 5 Folder 10]
      • Peanut Harvesting and Curing, 1964 [UA 100.014 Box 5 Folder 11]
      • Tobacco Research, Various, 1963-1965, undated [UA 100.014 Box 5 Folder 12]
      • USDA, 1953-1961 [UA 100.014 Box 5 Folder 13]
      • "Year-Round Solar-Energy Utilization in Bulk-Curing/Greenhouse System," 1981 [UA 100.014 Box 5 Folder 14]
    • Farm Equipment, 1935-1954
      • Dynamometer, 1935-1950 [UA 100.014 Box 6 Folder 1]
      • Fertilizer Distributor, "Once-Over,"
        • Student Research Report, 1951 [UA 100.014 Box 6 Folder 2]
        • Articles and Clippings, 1942-1945 [UA 100.014 Box 6 Folder 3]
        • Correspondence and Contracts, 1942-1954 [UA 100.014 Box 6 Folder 4]
        • General Information, 1940-1942, undated [UA 100.014 Box 6 Folder 5]
      • Fertilizer Distributor, "Malta Band-Row," 1946 [UA 100.014 Box 6 Folder 6]
      • Finger-Wheel Rake, 1946-1952 [UA 100.014 Box 6 Folder 7]
      • Finger-Wheel Cultivator, 1947-1948 [UA 100.014 Box 6 Folder 8]
      • Hay Rake, 1941-1951, undated [UA 100.014 Box 6 Folder 9]
      • Homemade Overshot Waterwheel, 1938-1940 [UA 100.014 Box 6 Folder 10]
      • Vinerow Harvester, 1945-1946 [UA 100.014 Box 6 Folder 11]
    • Legal Documents, 1938-1961
      • Lease Agreements, Various, 1949-1959 [UA 100.014 Box 7 Folder 1]
      • Memoranda of Understanding
        • Anthracite Institute, 1950-1952 [UA 100.014 Box 7 Folder 2]
        • Bloxham Engineering, 1952-1954 [UA 100.014 Box 7 Folder 3]
        • Butler Manufacturing, 1951-1960 [UA 100.014 Box 7 Folder 4]
        • Farmers Cooperative Exchange, 1952 [UA 100.014 Box 7 Folder 5]
        • Hofft Company, 1951-1952 [UA 100.014 Box 7 Folder 6]
        • P. W. Markley, 1948 [UA 100.014 Box 7 Folder 7]
        • Scott Viner Co., 1952-1959 [UA 100.014 Box 7 Folder 8]
        • Various, 1945-1959 [UA 100.014 Box 7 Folder 9]
      • Patent Applications
        • "Clip-Oil" Sucker Control, 1947-1960 [UA 100.014 Box 7 Folder 10]
        • "Once-Over Fertilizer Distributor, 1942-1959 [UA 100.014 Box 8 Folder 1]
        • Peanut Harvester, 1949-1953 [UA 100.014 Box 8 Folder 2]
        • Seed Harvester, 1938-1941 [UA 100.014 Box 8 Folder 3]
        • Various, 1949-1957 [UA 100.014 Box 8 Folder 4]
      • Patent Information
        • Harvester, 1939-1940 [UA 100.014 Box 8 Folder 5]
        • Peanut Harvester, 1950 [UA 100.014 Box 8 Folder 6]
        • Round Tobacco Barn, 1952-1954 [UA 100.014 Box 8 Folder 7]
        • Tobacco Priming Device
          • 1954-1956 [UA 100.014 Box 8 Folder 8]
          • 1957-1961 [UA 100.014 Box 8 Folder 9]

    [Return to Descriptive Summary]

  • Extension and Outreach, 1950-1974


    3 archival storage boxes, 1.5 linear feet

    The Extension and Outreach series contains records dealing with the department's work with other agencies and with the public. Included herein are records concerning rural electrification, information regarding the University's state-wide research stations, and material concerning conferences and seminars in North Carolina and elsewhere. Many of the research station materials are informational brochures printed by the University.

    • Conferences and Seminars, 1951-1974
      • Conferences, General Information, 1954-1974 [UA 100.014 Box 9 Folder 1]
      • Tobacco Workers' Conference
        • 1951 [UA 100.014 Box 9 Folder 2]
        • 1953 [UA 100.014 Box 9 Folder 3]
        • 1955 [UA 100.014 Box 9 Folder 4]
        • 1956 [UA 100.014 Box 9 Folder 5]
        • 1958 [UA 100.014 Box 9 Folder 6]
        • 1959 [UA 100.014 Box 9 Folder 7]
    • Rural Outreach, 1952-1957
      • Farm Electrification Council
        • 1954 [UA 100.014 Box 9 Folder 8]
        • 1955 [UA 100.014 Box 9 Folder 9]
        • 1956 [UA 100.014 Box 9 Folder 10]
      • 4-H Electric Congress
        • 1952 [UA 100.014 Box 9 Folder 11]
        • 1953 [UA 100.014 Box 9 Folder 12]
        • 1954 [UA 100.014 Box 9 Folder 13]
        • 1955 [UA 100.014 Box 9 Folder 14]
        • 1956 [UA 100.014 Box 9 Folder 15]
      • 4-H Demonstration Contests
        • 1954 [UA 100.014 Box 9 Folder 16]
        • 1955 [UA 100.014 Box 9 Folder 17]
        • 1956 [UA 100.014 Box 9 Folder 18]
        • 1957 [UA 100.014 Box 9 Folder 19]
    • Research Stations, 1952-1965
      • Research Stations, General Information, 1954-1960 [UA 100.014 Box 10 Folder 1]
      • Border Belt Tobacco Research Station, 1952-1962 [UA 100.014 Box 10 Folder 2]
      • Central Crop Research Station, 1954-1963, undated [UA 100.014 Box 10 Folder 3]
      • Coastal Plain Research Station, 1952-1959 [UA 100.014 Box 10 Folder 4]
      • Coastal Plain Vegetable Research Station, 1952-1959 [UA 100.014 Box 10 Folder 5]
      • Horticultural Crops Research Station, 1959 [UA 100.014 Box 10 Folder 6]
      • Lower Coastal Plain Research Station, 1953-1959 [UA 100.014 Box 10 Folder 7]
      • McCullers Research Farm, 1953-1954 [UA 100.014 Box 10 Folder 8]
      • Mountain Horticultural Research Station, 1952-1953 [UA 100.014 Box 10 Folder 9]
      • Mountain Horticultural Crop Research Station, 1954-1965 [UA 100.014 Box 10 Folder 10]
      • Oxford Tobacco Research Station, 1956-1962 [UA 100.014 Box 10 Folder 11]
      • Peanut Belt Research Station, 1952-1961 [UA 100.014 Box 10 Folder 12]
      • Piedmont Research Station, 1953-1959 [UA 100.014 Box 10 Folder 13]
      • Sandhills Peach Research Station, 1953-1959 [UA 100.014 Box 11 Folder 1]
      • Tidewater Research Station, 1952-1959 [UA 100.014 Box 11 Folder 2]
      • Upper Coastal Plain Research Station, 1950-1962 [UA 100.014 Box 11 Folder 3]
      • Upper Mountain Research Station, 1959 [UA 100.014 Box 11 Folder 4]
      • Upper Piedmont Tobacco Research Station, 1952-1960 [UA 100.014 Box 11 Folder 5]

    [Return to Descriptive Summary]

  • Oversize Materials, 1938-1954


    1 archival storage box, 2 linear feet

    The Oversize Materials series contains drawings, posters, and informational charts culled from the above records. The drawings relate to equipment developed within the department, with many drawn by G. Wallace Giles himself. The Informational Charts file contains two items: "Guide for Bulk Curing Tobacco" and "Guide for Mechanical Peanut Curing." These items are stored in the Special Collections Research Center Flat Files. See Special Collections Research Center personnel for more information.

    • Informational Charts, undated [Flat File 1]
    • Dynamometer, two drawings, 1940 [Flat File 2]
    • Fertilizer Distributor, "Once-Over," five drawings, two posters, 1942-1949 [Flat File 3]
    • Finger-Wheel Cultivator, two drawings, 1947 [Flat File 4]
    • Hay Rake, 23 drawings, 1954, undated [Flat File 5]
    • Malta Band-Row, nine drawings, 1945 [Flat File 6]
    • Overshot Water Wheel, two drawings, 1940 [Flat File 7]
    • Peanut Harvester, five drawings, 1949-1953 [Flat File 8]
    • Round Tobacco Barn, three drawings, 1953 [Flat File 9]
    • Seed Harvester, 1938 [Flat File 10]
    • Vinerow Harvester, one drawing, one poster, undated [Flat File 11]

    [Return to Descriptive Summary]

  • Unprocessed Records, 1928-2006


    11 cartons, 1 archival storage box, 1 oversize flat box, 17.5 linear feet

    The Unprocessed Records series includes materials from recent accessions that have not been processed.

    • Personnel Records, 1972-1986
      • Personnel Files - Barney Huang - Closed, 1972-1986
        Accession no. 2006-0113         		[UA 100.014 Carton 12]
      • Personnel Files - Barney Huang - Closed, 1972-1986
        Accession no. 2006-0113         		[UA 100.014 Carton 13]
      • Personnel Files - Barney Huang - Closed, 1972-1986
        Accession no. 2006-0113         		[UA 100.014 Carton 14]
    • General Records
      • Reports, 1980
        Accession no. 2007-0208
        The Evaluation of Waste Management Options for Leather and Tannery Hazardous Wastes (Report to the USDA Eastern Regional Research Center), and Swine Manure and Lagoon Effluent Applied to Fescue (report to EPA). Both with Michael Overcash as one of the authors.
        		 [UA 100.014 Box 15]
      • Program papers, 47th Annual Livestock Insect Workers' Conference, June 22-25, 2003, Atlantic Beach, NC, 2003
        Accession no. 8462         		[UA 100.014 Box 15]
      • "Alumni & Friends," departmental newsletter. Fourteen issues plus one CD containing same issues: Spring 1998, Winter 1999, Fall 1999/ Winter 2000, Spring/ Summer 2000, Fall/ Winter 2001, Spring/ Summer 2001, Fall 2001/ Winter 2002, Spring/ Summer 2002, Summer 2003, Winter 2003, Winter 2004, Summer 2004, Spring 2005, Spring 2006, 1998-2006
        Accession no. 8786         		[UA 100.014 Box 15]
      • Two photographs, correspondence and other documents pertaining to the Class of 1929 reunions in 1954, 1959, 1964, and 1969, 1954-1969
        Accession no. 2007-0278         		[UA 100.014 Box 15]
      • Biological and Agricultural Engineering departmental documents, including memoranda and extension staff meeting minutes, 1949-1987
        Accession no. 2007-0278         		[UA 100.014 Box 15]
      • 16 mm films, videocassettes, JVC, slides, 1955-1992, undated
        Accession no. 2007-0334         		[UA 100.014 Carton 16]
      • Filmstrips, 16 mm films, JVC, 1957-1986, undated
        Accession no. 2007-0334         		[UA 100.014 Carton 17]
      • Negatives, black and white prints, color prints, 1928-1987, undated
        Accession no. 2007-0334         		[UA 100.014 Carton 18]
      • Slides, 1965-1978, undated
        Accession no. 2007-0334         		[UA 100.014 Carton 19]
      • Slides and glass slides, undated
        Accession no. 2007-0334         		[UA 100.014 Carton 20]
      • Slides, audiocassette, 1954-1969, undated
        Accession no. 2007-0334         		[UA 100.014 Carton 21]
      • Glass slides, black and white prints, color prints, negatives, slides, undated
        Accession no. 2007-0334         		[UA 100.014 Carton 22]
      • Slides and can for sampling grain moisture labeled "Department of Agricultural Engineering," 1949-1967, undated
        Accession no. 2007-0334         		[UA 100.014 Carton 23]
      • Machine and building drawings, black and white prints, color print, "Panorama of Progress" promotional sheets, 1949-1967, undated
        Accession no. 2007-0334         		[UA 100.014 Oversize Flat Box 24]

    [Return to Descriptive Summary]