Handwritten Leatherbound Physics Notebook of a Texan Student from the 1930s -

Physics notebook property of Victor R. Schmidt. 120 manuscript pages and one printed page of errata laid in at the end. Hardcover notebook with marbled boards and half calf binding measuring 7" x 9". Circa 1930s. There is a stamp "Property of Victor R. Schmidt" on front pastedown, who we have identified as very likely being Victor Raymond Schmidt of Austin, Texas (1915-1971), as per genealogical records. Complete with extensive illustrations and diagrams of scientific instruments, mechanics, and chemical processes. This notebook contains a wide range of introductory Physics concepts, including states of matter, kinetics, machines, engines, waves, fluid dynamics, electricity, currents, magnetism, fusion, heat transfer, acoustics, light, and much more. The notebook is well organized and presents the lessons clearly. The notebook's owner is constantly concisely defining these concepts: "Forms in Which Matter Exists - 1. Solid 2. Liquid 3. Gas - A Solid usually possesses rigidity... Liquid is characterized by a power called mobility... Gas possess mobility to a very large extent compared to liquid.", "Principle of Archimedes applies to bodies immersed in a liquid or a gas. A body immersed in a liquid or a gas displaced an amount of liquid or gas equal to its own volume", "There are two kinds of friction - 1. Sliding Friction 2. Rolling Friction. We have also fluid friction and rolling friction. We represent friction by F¹. Friction is greater just when the body begins to move than it is after the body is in motion." "A steam engine must have three ports, one connecting with one end of the cylinder, one with the other end of the cylinder and the other with the air. The Slide Valve operates the three ports." Schmidt accurately and thoroughly illustrates and labels his illustrative representations of these scientific concepts, writes in complete sentences with superbly legible handwriting, and has nearly entirely filled out this notebook in a clear and linear fashion. This notebook is a valuable primary source for a keen observer to discover ways in which Physics education has evolved and remained the same over the last century. Some scuffing to calf leather including some minor loss at the top of the spine, minor chipping to extremities along the boards, but pages are impressively clean and the binding is tight. In very good condition overall.