Hallowell Davis Oral History

Interviewee

Hallowell Davis

Interviewer

Estelle Brodman, PhD

Files

Summary

Hallowell Davis was interviewed by Estelle Brodman on April 6 and April 28, 1977 for approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Scope and Content

These interviews begin with Davis's studies at Harvard and his post-graduate study in England. Davis discusses his research on the electrophysiology of the auditory system and electrical activity of the brain, and his defense work during World War II studying human tolerance to loud sounds. Davis describes the establishment of a research department at the Central Institute for the Deaf and work on hearing tests and speech audiometry, including the development of the first American standards for audiometers. Davis describes then-current methods in electro-physiology to measure peripheral hearing of young children by detecting electrical responses in the brain. The interview ends with a brief discussion of the problems related to world overpopulation, pollution, and international relations.

Biographical Information: Interviewee

Hallowell Davis (1896-1992) was born in New York City on August 31, 1896. He studied at Harvard University, receiving a BA there in 1918 and an MD in 1922. Davis's interest in electrophysiology developed while doing post-graduate research in England under Lord Adrian. In 1923, Hallowell Davis joined the Department of Physiology at the Harvard Medical School. His research concentrated on the electrophysiology of nerves. He became associated with the informal group of scientists known as "axonologists," which also included Joseph Erlanger, Herbert Gasser, and others of WUSM. In the 1930s Davis began concentrating on problems relating to hearing, but was also active in research on electrical activity in the brain. He contributed to the development of one of the first ink-writing electroencephalographs. During World War II he did vital war-related research on human tolerance to loud sounds and on the development of hearing aids. Hearing aid research brought Davis into frequent contact with Central Institute for the Deaf, which was a subcontractor to a Harvard project. In 1946 he accepted an offer to establish a Research Department at CID and also to join the WUSM Departments of Physiology and Otolaryngology. Among his first major projects in St. Louis was measurement of effectiveness of fenestration operations pioneered by Theodore Walsh. Davis's use of speech in these hearing tests was the beginning of speech audiometry. He became a leading figure in the development of the first American standards for audiometers and the adoption of the international zero reference level as part of that standard. He continued research under several contracts with the U.S. Armed Forces, contributing to work in ultrasonics, mechanical shock, and other areas. In the 1960s he was a member of the National Research Council's Committee on SST (super-sonic transport) and Sonic Boom. Hallowell Davis retired officially in 1965 but remained active as CID Director of Research Emeritus and Professor Emeritus of Otolaryngology. In 1976 he was awarded the National Medal of Science by President Gerald R. Ford. Davis died in 1992.

Biographical Information: Interviewer

Estelle Brodman, PhD (1914-2007) served as an Assistant librarian for reference service at the National Library of Medicine, 1949-1961. She became the Library Director and Professor of Medical History at Washington University School of Medicine in 1961 and served in these positions until her retirement in 1981. Brodman served as the Editor of the Bulletin of the Medical Library Association from 1947-1957, and as President of the Medical Library Association, 1964-1965.

Interview Date

1977-04-06

Collection Identifier

OH027

Length

Approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Restrictions

Users wishing to publish (in whole, or in part) content taken from the audio or transcript of this oral history interview must request, sign, and return a Statement of Use form to the Becker Archives. For detailed information regarding publication and use of this oral history, contact the Becker Archives (arb@wusm.wustl.edu).

Recommended Citation

Hallowell Davis Oral History, OH027, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.

Notes

The transcript presents an edited version of the sound recording. The interview begins with a biographical sketch of Hallowell Davis and ends with a revised biographical sketch.

Disclaimer

The Becker Archives provides access to this oral history interview as a record of the past. This interview reflects the attitudes, perspectives, and beliefs of the interview participants, which may reflect outdated, biased, and offensive views and opinions. The Becker Archives does not endorse the views expressed in this interview, which may contain materials offensive to some users.