Mario G. Salvadori Lectures, 1954-1986

Summary Information

Abstract

This collection contains full transcripts and notes of lectures given by Professor Mario G. Salvadori on the humanistic aspects of technology. Salvadori delivered most of these lectures in a semester-long course "The cultural impact of engineering." Additional notes from campus lectures were added to this collection in 2018.

At a Glance

Arrangement

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in two series.

• Series I. "The cultural impact of engineering" Lectures, 1976-1978
• Series II. 2018 additions, 1954-1986, 1954-1986

Description

Scope and Content

This collection contains full transcripts of lectures given by Professor Mario G. Salvadori on the cultural impact and content of engineering. Salvadori delivered these lectures in the course Engineering 1101y "The Cultural Impact of Engineering," or alternately "The Cultural Impact of Technology." This introductory course for freshmen addressed the ethical problems and the responsibilities of the engineering profession in the development of a technical culture. Engineering, according to the course description, was "considered both as a technological field of endeavor and as a cultural field interacting with a number of other professional fields, such as medicine and law." In these lectures Salvadori focuses on the origins of engineering and argues for equipping engineers with a broad base of knowledge beyond the sciences.

In 2018, Matthys Levy, a former student, colleague and co-writer of Salvadori, donated to the University Archives addtional lecture notes. These notes include notes from Salvadori's University Lecture (1979) and from The Aesthetics of Technology series (1986).

• Series I. "The cultural impact of engineering" Lectures, 1976-1978

  The lectures are culled from two semesters of the same course, the spring semesters of 1976 and 1978. In some instances, Salvadori re-used lectures from previous years, or merged lectures from several previous dates, so that dates marked on the initial pages of lectures do not necessarily correspond to the dates on which the lectures were given. The lectures are numbered in the order in which Professor Salvadori gave them; the 1976 lectures number from 2 to 12 and the 1978 lectures number from 1 to 12.

• Series II. 2018 additions, 1954-1986, 1954-1986

  In 2018, Matthys Levy donated additional materials related to Mario G. Salvadori's lecture. These materials include campus lectures (not part of class) such as Salvadori's University Lecture (1979) and the The Aesthetics of Technology series (1986). There are also notes from a course on optimization and a biographical sketch of Pier Luigi Nervi for the MacMillan Encyclopedia of Architects.

Using the Collection

Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Restrictions on Access

You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.

There are no restrictions on this collection.

This collection is located off-site. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

Preferred Citation

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Mario G. Salvadori Lectures, 1954-1986; Box and Folder; University Archives, Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Columbia University in the City of New York.

Accrual

No additions are expected.

Ownership and Custodial History

The original collection was donated to Columbiana by Professor William Gross of the University of New Mexico in 2001. Matthys Levy donated the additional materials in 2018.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Jennifer Preissel. Finding aid written by Jennifer Preissel in February 2002 and updated by Joanna Rios in June 2017 and in September 2018.

Revision Description

2017-06-30 File created.

09/28/2018 New record series for the 2018 addition.

2019-05-20 EAD was imported spring 2019 as part of the ArchivesSpace Phase II migration.

Subject Headings

The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches at Columbia University through the Archival Collections Portal and through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, as well as ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.

All links open new windows.

Genre/Form

Subject

History / Biographical Note

Biographical / Historical

Mario George Salvadori, born in 1907 in Rome, Italy, was a member of Columbia University's faculty in the areas of engineering and architecture for more than thirty years. After receiving engineering and mathematical doctorates from the University of Rome in 1930 and 1933, Salvadori taught at that institution until 1938. In 1939 he immigrated to the United States where he became a lecturer at Columbia University in 1940. He attained the rank of professor of civil engineering in 1946 and eventually became professor emeritus of architecture and James Renwick Professor Emeritus of Civil Engineering in 1975. In 1991 he received the Pupin Medal, the highest honor awarded by the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences for his contribution to science. A pioneer in architectural engineering, Salvadori was a prolific author and consulting engineering for several institutions and projects, most significantly for the Manhattan Project between 1942 and 1944. Salvadori died in 1997.