Schmitt, Otto Herbert, 1913-
Otto Herbert Schmitt papers, 1901-1998.
The papers document all aspects of the life and work of Otto H. Schmitt, biophysicist at the University of Minnesota. Correspondence, via post or telegraph, constitutes a large portion of the collection. Research materials make up the largest component of the collection. Included are research grant applications and subsequent notices of grant approvals, charts and graphs depicting data obtained from experiments, schematics from inventions, patents for inventions, and various reports. The Audio/Visual materials in the collection include reel to reel audiotapes, vacation and conference photographs, cassette tapes, and slides. Viola Elise Schmitt, Otto Schmitt's wife, also figures into the collection. During WWII she worked on the Manhattan Project as one of the few women mathematicians. Rounding out the collection are published and unpublished writings and a small group of teaching materials, which range from exams, notes, quizzes and overhead transparencies.
Ph.D. in physics, mathematics and zoology (1937), Washington University (St. Louis, MO). Joined University of Minnesota faculty as instructor in zoology in 1939. Best known for his invention of the Schmitt trigger (1938); research in the areas of magnetic fields, biophysics, bioengineering, physiology, and medicine; creation of the new discipline of biomimetics. Promoted to full professor in 1949 with appointments in the departments of zoology, physics and electrical engineering. In 1940, Schmitt was commissioned to work for the National Defense Research Committee, later renamed the Office of Scientific Research and Development. In 1942 he began his anti-submarine research, culminating in his invention of an instrument that could detect submarines from planes. He also designed a flight simulator that was used to train pilots, as well as more efficient types of radio antennas for high-speed aircraft, and various techniques to jam enemy radio signals. Inducted into the Minnesota Inventors Hall of Fame (1978).
Schmitt, Otto Herbert, 1913-
Manhattan Project (U.S.)
University of Minnesota.
Correspondence. aat
Examinations. aat
Grant proposals. aat
Graphs. aat
Notes. aat
Slides (photographs). aat
Patents lcgft
Sound recordings lcgft
Biophysicists.
Schmitt, Viola Elise
AIP-ICOS
University of Minnesota. University Archives. Andersen Library, Minneapolis, MN, USA.