Collection Summary
Georg Von Békésy Papers
1928-1972
1955-1970
1928-1972
1955-1970
MSS47019
Von Békésy, Georg, 1899-1972
51,300 items
119 containers
47.6 linear feet
English
German
Collection material in English and German
Manuscript Division, Library of Congress
Washington, D.C.
Physicist, physiologist, and educator.
Chiefly writings and research papers, reports, notes, and other materials, along with
some correspondence, printed matter, financial papers, biographical material, subject
files, and other papers pertaining primarily to von Békésy's research and writing in the
area of speech and hearing and in sensory sciences.
Selected Search Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the LC Catalog. They are grouped by name of person or organization, by subject or location, and by occupation and listed alphabetically.
People
Von Békésy, Georg, 1899-1972.
Organizations
University of Hawaii (Honolulu)
Subjects
Archaeology.
Art--Collectors and collecting.
Hearing--Physiological aspects.
Nobel Prizes.
Senses and sensation--Physiological aspects.
Speech--Physiological aspects.
Universities and colleges--Hawaii.
Voyages and travels.
Occupations
Educators.
Physicists.
Physiologists.
Acquisition Information
The papers of Georg Von Békésy, physicist, physiologist, and educator, were given to the
Library of Congress by the Nobel Foundation, Stockholm, Sweden, in 1973.
Processing History
The Von Békésy Papers were processed circa 1975 by Joseph Sullivan. The finding aid was revised in
2012.
Transfers
Items have been transferred from the Manuscript Division to other custodial divisions of
the Library. Some photographs and slides have been transferred to the Prints and
Photographs Division. Sound recordings and motion pictures have been transferred to the
Motion Picture, Broadcasting, and Recorded Sound Division. All transfers are identified
in these divisions as part of the Georg Von Békésy Papers.
Copyright Status
The status of copyright in the unpublished writings of Georg Von Békésy is governed by
the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S.C.).
Access and Restrictions
The papers of Georg Von Békésy are open to research. Researchers are advised to contact
the Manuscript Reading Room prior to visiting. Many collections are stored off-site and
advance notice is needed to retrieve these items for research use.
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information:
Container number, Georg Von Békésy Papers, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress,
Washington, D.C.
Biographical Note
Date
Event
1899, June 3
Born, Budapest, Hungary
1916
1920
Student, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
1923
Ph.D., University of Budapest, Budapest, Hungary
1923
1946
Worked for Hungarian Post Office
1926
1927
Researcher, Central Laboratory, Siemens and Halske A.G., Berlin,
Germany
1932
1946
Taught, University of Budapest, Budapest, Hungary
1946
1949
Research professor, Karolinski Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
1947
Immigrated to the United States
1947
1949
Research lecturer, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.
1949
1966
Senior research fellow in psychophysics, Harvard University, Cambridge,
Mass.
1961
Awarded Nobel Prize in Medicine
1966
1972
Professor of sensory sciences, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii
1972, June 13
Died, Honolulu, Hawaii
Scope and Content Note
The papers of Georg Von Békésy (1899-1972) span the years 1928-1972, with the bulk of
the material consisting of speeches, writings, and research material from 1955 to 1970.
The collection is organized into five series: [Correspondence](correspond), [Speeches and Writings File](writfile), [Subject File](subfile), [Research Material](researmat), and [Miscellany](miscella).
The [Correspondence](correspond)
series includes a small number of family letters, but chiefly concerns Von Békésy's
activities in education, scientific research, writing, travels, and his interest in
archaeology and art collecting. The [Speeches and Writings File](writfile) consists of published,
typewritten, and handwritten drafts of speeches, lectures, and books with accompanying
correspondence and background material.
Von Békésy traveled extensively attending conferences, delivering papers, and visiting
research laboratories, universities, and art museums. Included in the [Subject File](subfile) are travel
itineraries, copies of speeches, related correspondence, and topical files ranging from
acoustica to
Wettstreit
(competition). A subsequent series of [Research Material](researmat) is unorganized.
The [Miscellany](miscella) series
contains various biographical and personal materials, including items associated with
Von Békésy receiving the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1961.
Arrangement of the Papers
The collection is arranged in five series:
-
[Correspondence,
1945-1972](correspond)
-
[Speeches and Writings File,
circa 1928-1972](writfile)
-
[Subject File, circa
1940-1972](subfile)
-
[Research Material, circa
1940-1972](researmat)
-
[Miscellany, circa
1945-1972](miscella)
Container List
Box
Contents
1-20
Correspondence, 1945-1972
1945-1972
Letters received and copies of letters sent including telegrams, postcards, and
carbon copies with miscellaneous enclosures.
Arranged chronologically by year.
1
1945-1951
1945-1951
(7 folders)
2
1953-1959
1953-1959
(7 folders)
1960
1960
(1 folder)
3
(5 folders)
4
(5 folders)
5
(1 folder)
1962
1962
(4 folders)
6
(3 folders)
1963
1963
(2 folders)
7
(3 folders)
1964
1964
(2 folders)
8
(3 folders)
1965
1965
(2 folders)
9
(5 folders)
10
(1 folder)
1966
1966
(4 folders)
11
(3 folders)
1967
1967
(2 folders)
12
(5 folders)
13
1968
1968
(5 folders)
14
(2 folders)
1969
1969
(3 folders)
15
(3 folders)
1970
1970
(2 folders)
16
(3 folders)
1971
1971
(2 folders)
17
(4 folders)
18
1972
1972
(3 folders)
Undated
Undated
(2 folders)
19-20
Reprint requests, circa
1950-1972
circa 1950-1972
21-51
Speeches and Writings File, circa 1928-1972
circa 1928-1972
Drafts and published copies of books, articles, speeches, and lectures, with
related correspondence, notes, outlines, and other background material.
Books and articles are arranged alphabetically by title of work. Unidentified
writings and miscellaneous lectures and speeches conclude the series.
21
Publication lists of Von Békésy
Abweichungen vom ohmschen gesetz der
Frequenzauflosung beim Hören, 1961
1961
Apparent Image Rotation in Stereoscopic Vision,
1969
1969
(8 folders)
22
Apparent Size and Location of a Sound Source as
an Important Part of the Dynamics of a Musical Performance, 1970
1970
(2 folders)
Are Surgical Experiments on Human Subjects
Necessary?, 1961
1961
The Artistic Approach and the Scientific
Approach [1961?]
[1961?]
Auditory Backward Inhibition in Concert Halls,
1970
1970
23
The Auditory System [in Handbook of Sensory
Physiology, Vol. 5], 1971
1971
Bemerkungen zur Theorie de gunstigsten
Nachhalldauer von Raumen, 1931
1931
Brightness Distribution across the Mach Bands
and the Linearity Range of Sensory Nervous Interaction,
1967
1967
(5 folders)
24
(1 folder)
Can We Feel the Nervous Discharges of the End
Organs during Vibratory Stimulation of the Skin?, 1961
1961
The Coarse Pattern of the Electrical Resistances
in the Cochlea of the Guinea Pig, 1950
1950
The Coming Information Explosion,
1968
1968
Comments on the Measurement of the Relative Size
of DC Potentials and Microphonics in the Cochlea, 1961
1961
Compensation Method to Measure the Contrast
Produced by Contours, 1972
1972
(3 folders)
25
Concerning the Fundamental Component of Periodic
Pulse Patterns and Modulated Vibrations Observed on the Cochlear Model with
Nerve Supply, 1961
1961
Concerning the Pleasures of Observing, and the
Mechanics of the Inner Ear, 1962
1962
Creativity in Horizontal and Vertical Buildings,
1971
1971
Current Status of Theories of Hearing,
1956
1956
D-C Potentials and Energy Balance of the
Cochlean Partition [undated]
[undated]
Description of Some Mechanical Properties of the
Organ of Corti, 1953
1953
The Doctor of Medicine and the Doctor of
Philosophy, 1969
1969
Duplexity Theory of Taste,
1964
1964
The Ear, 1957
1957
The Early History of Hearing; Observations and
Theories, 1948
1948
The Effect of Adaptation on the Taste Threshold
Observed with a Semiautomatic Gustometer, 1965
1965
Enlarged Mechanical Model of the Cochlea with
Nerve Supply, 1964
1964
(3 folders)
26
Die Erweiterung der Existenz der Mach-Bänder auf
andere Sinnesgebiete, 1966
1966
(3 folders)
Experiments in Hearing,
1956
1956
Experimental Models of the Cochlea with and
without Nerve Supply [undated]
[undated]
Experiments in Hearing,
1956
1956
(2 folders)
27
(2 folders)
28
(1 folder)
Fechner's Law and the Vestibular Organ
[undated]
[undated]
Feedback Phenomena between the Stringed
Instrument and the Musician, 1968
1968
Die Flucht in das Gebiet der Modelle
[undated]
[undated]
Fortschritte der Hörphysiologie,
1936
1936
Funnelng in the Nervous System and Its Role in
Loudness and Sensation Intensity on the Skin, 1958
1958
The Gap between the Hearing of External and
Internal Sounds, 1962
1962
29
Die gegenseitige Hemmung von Sinnersreizen bei
kleinen Zeitdifferenzen, 1964
1964
Hearing, 1971
1971
(5 folders)
Hearing Theories and Complex Sounds,
1962
1962
Human Skin Perception of Traveling Waves Similar
to Those on the Cochlea, 1955
1955
The Influence of Inhibition on the Sensation
Pattern of the Skin and the Eye [undated]
[undated]
Inhibition and the Time and Spatial Patterns of
Neural Activity in Sensory Perception, 1965
1965
Inhibition as an Important Part of Sensory
Perception, 1969
1969
Interaction of Paired Sensory Stimuli and
Conduction in Peripheral Nerves, 1963
1963
Lateral Inhibition of Heat Sensations on the
Skin, 1962
1962
Lines That Do Not Increase Their Width under a
Magnifying Glass, 1972
1972
30
Localization of Visceral Pain and Other
Sensations before and after Anesthesia, 1970
1970
(4 folders)
Location of Maxima and Minima in Sensation
Patterns Influenced by Lateral Inhibition, 1968
1968
(4 folders)
31
Mach and Hering-Type Lateral Inhibition in
Vision, 1968
1968
(3 folders)
Mach Bands Measured by a Compensation Method,
1972
1972
(2 folders)
Mach Band-Type Lateral Inhibition in Different
Sense Organs, 1966
1966
(3 folders)
32
The Magnitude of the Vibration Sensation and its
Objective Measurement [undated]
[undated]
(2 folders)
Mechanical Frequency Analysis in the Cochleas of
Various Animals, 1950
1950
Micromanipulator with Four Degrees of Freedom,
1950
1950
Microphonics Produced by Rouching the Cochlear
Partition with a Vibrating Electrode [undated]
[undated]
Missing Fundamental and Periodically Detection
in Hearing, 1971
1971
(3 folders)
33
Ein Modell der mechanischen und nervösen Vorgäng
des innernohres, 1968
1968
(4 folders)
Modification of Sensory Localization as a
Consequence of Oxygen Intake and Reduced Blood Flow,
1963
1963
My Experiences in Research Laboratories from
1923 to 1945, 1970
1970
Neural Funneling along the Skin and between the
Inner and Outer Hair Cells of the Cochlea, 1959
1959
Neural Inhibitory Units of the Eye and Skin,
1960
1960
Neural Volleys and the Similarity between Some
Sensations Produced by Tones and by Skin Vibrations,
1957
1957
Neuro-mechanisches Modell des Innenohres,
196?
196?
A New Method of Perfusion for the Fixation of
Tissues, 1961
1961
Olfactory Analogue to Directorial Hearing,
1964
1964
On the Resonance Curve and the Decay Period at
Various Points on the Cochlear Partition [undated]
[undated]
Pendulums, Traveling Waves, and the Cochlea,
1958
1958
Physikalische Probleme der Hörphysiologie,
1935
1935
Pitch Sensation and Its Relation to the
Periodicity of the Stimulus, Hearing and Skin Vibrations,
1960
1960
Preparatory and Air-Driven Micromanipulators for
Electro Physiology, 1956
1956
34
Problems relating Psychological and
Electrophysiological Observations in Sensory Perception, 1967
1967
(4 folders)
Processing of Contradictory Information in the
Ear and Eye, 1970
1970
Psychological Experiments on Sensory Inhibition
[undated]
[undated]
(2 folders)
35
Psychology of the Horizontal and the Vertical
Line in Art and Architecture, 1968
1968
Resonance in the Cochlea?, 1970
1970
(3 folders)
Resting Potential Inside the Cochlear Partition
of the Guinea Pig, 1952
1952
Rhythmical Variations Accompanying Gustatory
Stimulation Observed by Means of Localization Phenomena,
1964
1964
Sensations on the Skin Similar to Directional
Hearing Beats, and Harmonics of the Ear, 1957
1957
Sense Organs and Their Sensitivity,
1971
1971
(3 folders)
36
Sensory Inhibition,
1967
1967
Shearing Microphonics Produced by Vibrations
Near the Inner and Outer Hair Cells, 1953
1953
Similarities between Hearing and Skin
Sensations, 1959
1959
Similarities of Inhibition on the Different
Sense Organs, 1969
1969
(4 folders)
37
Sitzung der mathematisch-naturwissenschaftlichen
Klasse vom 3. Juli 1941, 1941
1941
The Smallest Time Difference the Eyes Can Detect
with Sweeping Stimulation, 1969
1969
(4 folders)
Some Auditory Phenomena Similar to the Moon
Illusion, 1949
1949
Some Biophysical Experiments from 50 Years Ago
[undated]
[undated]
Some Electro-Mechanical Properties of the Organ
of Corti, 1954
1954
38
Some of the Feedback Phenomena between the
String Instrument and the Musician, 1968
1968
(4 folders)
Some Similarities in Sensory Perception of Fish
and Man in Lateral Line Detection, 1967
1967
(3 folders)
39
The Structure of the Middle Ear and the Hearing
of One's Own Voice by Bone Conduction, 1948
1948
Success and Failure of Teamwork in Biology and
Medicine, 1970
1970
(3 folders)
40
Suggestions for Determining the Mobility of the
Stapes by Means of an Endotoscope for the Middle Ear,
1950
1950
Sur la Réverbératuin Optimum des Petities
Salles, 1936
1936
Sweetness Produced Electrically on the Tongue
and Its Relation to Taste Theories, 1964
1964
Synchronism of Neural Discharges and Their
Demultiplication in Pitch Perception on the Skin and in Hearing,
1959
1959
Synchrony between Nervous Discharges and
Periodic Stimuli in Hearing and on the Skin, 1962
1962
Taste Theories and the Chemical Stimulation of
Single Papillae, 1965
1965
(3 folders)
41
Temperature Co-efficients of the Electrical
Thresholds of Taste Sensations, 1965
1965
(2 folders)
Three Experiments Concerned with Pitch
Perception, 1962
1962
Time and Spatial Patterns of Neural Activity in
Sensory Perception, 1965
1965
Two Different Ways of Making Progress in Physics
and Medicine [undated]
[undated]
(3 folders)
Über akustische Reizung des
Vestibularapparatres, 1935
1935
Über das Fechnersche Gesetz und seine Bedeutung
für die Theorie der akustischen Beobachungs-fehler und die Theorie des Hörens,
1930
1930
Über das Hören der eigenen Stimme,
1941
1941
Über den Knall and die Theorie des Hörens,
1933
1933
Über die Empfindlichkeit des stehenden und
stizenden Menschen gegen sinusförmige Erschütterungen beim Hören,
1938
1938
Über die Frequenzauflösung in der menschlichen
Schnecke [undated]
[undated]
Über die Gleicharitgkeit einiger nervöser
Prozesse beim Hören und Vibrationssinn, 1960
1960
42
Über die Grunderscheinungen der Schwingungslehre
und Akustik [undated]
[undated]
Über die Hörsamkeit der Ein-und
Ausschwingvorgänge mit Berücksichtigung der Raumakustik,
1933
1933
Über die Hörsamkeit kleiner Musikräume,
1934
1934
Über die Hörschwelle und Fühlgrenze langsamer
sinusförmiger Luftdrcukschwankungen, 1936
1936
Über die Lokalisation eines Reizes
[undated]
[undated]
Über die mechanisch-akustischen Vorgänge beim
Hören, 1939
1939
Über die mechanische Frequenzanalyse einmaliger
Schwingungsvorgänge und die Bestimmung der Frequenz-abhängigkeit von
Ubertragungssystemen und Impedanzen mittels Ausgleichvorgängen,
1937
1937
Über die Messung der Schwingungsamplitude der
Gehörknöchelchen mittles einer kapazitiven Sonde, 1941
1941
Über die Mondillusion,
1949
1949
Über die photoelektrische Fourier-Analyse eines
gegebenen Kurvenzuges [undated]
[undated]
Über die piezoelktrische Messung der absoluten
Hörschwelle bei Knochenleitung, 1939
1939
Über die merchanische Frequenzanalyse einmaliger
Schwingungsvorgänge und die Bestimmung der Frequenz-abhängigkeit von
Ubertragungssystemen und Impedanzen mittels Ausgleichvorgängen,
1937
1937
Über die Messung der Scwingungsamplitude der
Gehörchelchen mittles einer kapazitiven Sonde, 1941
1941
Über die Mondillusion,
1949
1949
Über die photoelektrische Fourier-Analyse eines
gegebenen Kurvenzuges [undated]
[undated]
Über die piezoelktrische Messung der absoluten
Hörschwelle bei Knochenleitung, 1939
1939
Über die Resonanzkurve und die Abklingzeit der
verschiedenen Stellen der Schneckentrennwand, 1943
1943
Über die Schallausbreitung bei Knochenleitung,
1940
1940
Über die Stärke der Vibrationsempfindung und
ihre objektive Messung, 1940
1940
Über die Vibrationsempfindung,
1939
1939
Über ein neues Audiometer,
1947
1947
43
Über wissenschaftliche Forschungsmehtoden und
ihre Paralellen in der Kunst [undated]
[undated]
(2 folders)
The Variation of Phase along the Basilar
Membrane with Sinusoidal Vibrations, 1947
1947
Vibration of the Cochlear Partition in
Anatomical Preparations and in the Models of the Inner Ear
[undated]
[undated]
Vibration of the Head in a Sound Field and Its
Role in Hearing by Bone Conduction, 1948
1948
Visual Inhibition and Some Yellow Filter
Effects, 1968
1968
Wave Motion in an Inhomogeneous System (film
text)
Zur Theorie des Hörens,
1928
1928
44-46
Unidentified writings
(10 folders)
47-51
Miscellaneous speeches and lectures
(25 folders)
52-81
Subject File, circa 1940-1972
circa 1940-1972
Correspondence, memoranda, notes, reports, and printed matter relating chiefly to
Von Békésy's research, travels, and public speaking.
Arranged alphabetically by subject, scientific topic, or organization.
52
Acoustica
Aging
American Speech and Hearing
Association
Ausprechteit
Békésy audiometer
53
Colon
Color: vision
Diamond, A. Leonard
Echo
Edge and onset
Electroencephalography
Electric shop
54
Elektrisch
Erlangen
Focus
Fish
(4 folders)
55
(1 folder)
Fragen
Florida
Friction
(2 folders)
Frog
H-Program
Harvard University
56
Hearing
Hören-Pulfrich
Ideas
(2 folders)
Illusion
(5 folders)
57
Intensity change
Kiedel, W. D.
(2 folders)
Kneejerk
Kodak
L.A. Lab
Liquid crystals
Mach band Compensation
58
(11 folders)
59
Micromanipulation
Microphonics
National Academy of Sciences
National Institutes of Health
(3 folders)
60
(2 folders)
National Science Foundation
(2 folders)
Onset and offset phenomena
61
Pattern recognition
Perspective
Photography
(3 folders)
Plasticity
(5 folders)
Princeton University Press
(3 folders)
Pulfrich Phenomenon
62
Ranke, Otto F.
Reports (research and departmental
miscellany)
63
Research grants
64
Residue
(5 folders)
65
Sensation magnitude
Skin
(3 folders)
66
Spider
Staining
Stevens, S. S.
Suction
(3 folders)
67-69
Taste
(16 folders)
70
Travel
Ann Arbor-Brussels
(14 folders)
71
Buenos Aires-Córdoba
(7 folders)
72
Dallas-Frankfurt
(14 folders)
73
Halle-Kansas
(12 folders)
74
Los Angeles-London
(14 folders)
75
Mexico-New Orleans
(9 folders)
76
New York-Paris
(15 folders)
77
Philadelphia-St. Louis
(18 folders)
78
San Diego-Toronto
(17 folders)
79
Tübingen-Zurich
(7 folders)
Miscellaneous
(7 folders)
80
(2 folders)
Trilogy
Tripel response
(2 folders)
81
University of Hawaii
(4 folders)
Vestibular Model
Vallatae
Vibrator
Violin
(3 folders)
Vorhang effect
Wettstreit
82-112
Research Material, circa 1940-1972
circa 1940-1972
Research reports and data, memoranda, notes, correspondence, printed matter, and
miscellaneous material.
Unarranged.
82-112
Miscellaneous
113-119
Miscellany, circa 1945-1972
circa 1945-1972
Awards, certificates and honorary degrees, biographical material, financial
papers, and other miscellaneous material.
Arranged alphabetically by type of material.
113
Awards, certificates, and honorary degrees
(4 folders and 2 vols.)
114
Biographical material, passports, etc.
(2 folders)
Financial papers
Bills and receipts
(2 folders)
Medical bills