Lester Bernstein Physical Laboratory Notebook, (1901)

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Held by Special Collections, Linderman Library
Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015
Call No.: SC MS 0166

Abstract:
Lester Bernstein graduated from Lehigh University in 1904 with a degree in Civil Engineering.  Bernstein, the Civil Engineering Society Treasurer and President, was awarded the Civil Engineering Society Prize in 1902-03.  The collection consists of a Physical Laboratory Notebook from his second semester freshman year (Feb. 1901 – Jun. 1901).  This notebook includes experiments on the study of thermal expansion, use of a barometer and the study of the principles of movement.

Contact Information:
Special Collections
Linderman Library
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, USA
Phone: 610-758-4506
Fax: 610-758-6091
URL: http://www.lehigh.edu/library/speccoll/specialcoll.html

Processed by:
Kelly Bouchard

Date Completed:
December 2009

Repository:
Lehigh University, Linderman Library, Special Collections

Creator:
Lester Bernstein (ca. 1881-1965)

Title:
Lester Bernstein Physical Laboratory Notebook (1901)

Provenance:
Received by the Lehigh Alumni Association in 1997 and given to Professor Beall Fowler, at Physics Department, and transferred to Special Collections in 2008.

Restrictions to Access:
This collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation:
[Identification of item], Lester Bernstein Physical Laboratory Notebook (February 1901-June 1901), SC MS 0166, Special Collections, Linderman Library, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA

Copyright Notice:
Please inquire about copyright information.

Biographical Note:
Lester Bernstein was born in the early 1880s in the state of Pennsylvania.  His parents immigrated to the United States from Germany in the late 1860s.  Bernstein attended Lehigh University from 1900-1904.  He won several awards and held many positions in numerous societies on campus.In his junior year (1902-03)Bernstein won the Civil Engineering Society Prize, First Honors in his Civil Engineering Course, was the Delegate to the Cleveland Convention and was Civil Engineering Society Treasurer.  In his senior year at Lehigh (1903-04) Bernstein was the President of the Civil Engineering Society, Secretary of the Starvation Club, Assistant Editor-in-Chief of the 1904 Epitome, and Vice President of his fraternity, Tau Beta Pi.  Other awards that he received during his time at Lehigh were the second honors in sophomore English, Williams Prize in English and The Wilbur Prize in Freehand Drawing.  He was a member of the Forum and Secretary of the “Lehigh Club of Philadelphia.”  He likely served as an engineer for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company in 1917.  Lester Bernstein served on the Board for The American Railway Engineering Association in 1918.  He later went on to marry Florence Goldsmith and was listed in the 1965 Centennial Directory as living in Los Angeles, California.

Scope and Content Note:
The collection contains one student’s Laboratory Notebook dated February 1901- June 1901.  The course number for this class was 179a and is described as “Laboratory work illustrating course 179.”  Course 179 at this time was “Elementary Physics- mechanics and heat.  Lectures, recitations and problem work.”  This notebook includes various experiments including, but not limited to the study of thermal expansion, use of a barometer and the study of the principles of movement. The notebook is handwritten, measuring 21 cm and consisting of 120 pages.  It also includes numerous tables and diagrams pertaining to these experiments.

Online Catalog Terms:
Bernstein, Lester.
Lehigh University--Students.
Lehigh University. Dept. of Physics.
Mechanics.

Related Material:
Bernstein, Lester.  “Discussion and comparison of formulas for the flood flows of streams with particular reference to those employed in railroad work.”  Call number: THESIS 1904 B531d.

Bernstein, Lester.  Why the Railroad Man Should Stay on the Job.  Call number: L B531w.

Lehigh University, Department of Physics. 1901.  Lehigh University call number: 531 L527f.

The Sophomore Physical Laboratory Course; Fall Term: Mechanics, Heat, Electricity and Magnetism. Printed for the Department of Physics. August, 1901. Lehigh University. Dept. of Physics. Call number: SC LPub 0219.

McLennan, James A.  History of the Physics Department.  C2002.  Lehigh University call number: L 378 E M225h.

Description of Collection:
The freshman physical laboratory notebook of Lester Bernstein.  The notebook is from the spring term of 1901. Its contents include experiments relating to elementary mechanics and heat.  The notebook is handwritten and includes numerous tables and diagrams relating to these experiments.