Title
Frederick Thomas
Subject
Professor of engineering
University of Buffalo. School of Engineering--History
Capen, Samuel Paul, 1878-1956
Furnas, C.C. (Clifford Cook), 1900-1969
Meyerson, Martin
Ketter, Robert L., 1928-
Merger
University of Buffalo. Department of Industrial Engineering--History
Description
Professor of industrial engineering at the University of Buffalo and the State University of New York at Buffalo, 1946-1966; Chairman, 1946-1962.
Tape of an interview with Thomas conducted by Brenda K. Shelton, January 16, 1969, concerns history of the Engineering Department, comments about Dr. Ketter and Dr. Furnas.
Tape of an interview with Thomas conducted by Brenda K. Shelton, January 16, 1969, concerns history of the Engineering Department, comments about Dr. Ketter and Dr. Furnas.
Interviewer's Observations: Professor Thomas seems quite unassuming and modest about his career, but at the same time relaxed and at ease talking about it. He occasionally referred to some papers he had in his lap, including a history of the Engineering Department which he had written.
Before I started taping, Mrs. Thomas made a number of comments about Dr. Ketter and Dr. Furnas and about the University in general. She obviously knew many of the people at UB and their wives personally. She was present thoughout the interview and whisphered a number of reminders to her husband. Near the beginning, she brought us coffee, asking whether I wanted sugar and cram. Toward the end of Side I, she indicated that she had something to say and after I stopped the tape recorder, she told Professor Thomas he should say something about Puffer, and then went on to say quite a bit herself. Midway through the second side of the tape, she served us cinnamon toast, and I stopped the machine while we ate.
Before I started taping, Mrs. Thomas made a number of comments about Dr. Ketter and Dr. Furnas and about the University in general. She obviously knew many of the people at UB and their wives personally. She was present thoughout the interview and whisphered a number of reminders to her husband. Near the beginning, she brought us coffee, asking whether I wanted sugar and cram. Toward the end of Side I, she indicated that she had something to say and after I stopped the tape recorder, she told Professor Thomas he should say something about Puffer, and then went on to say quite a bit herself. Midway through the second side of the tape, she served us cinnamon toast, and I stopped the machine while we ate.
Date
1979-01-06
Rights
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Type
Sound recording
Interviews
Sound
Identifier
OH-34
Date Created
3/18/2013
Is Part Of
LIB-UA014
Video Filename
UA014-thomas-frederick.mp3
Original Format
1 sound cassette
Duration
ca. 40 min.
Interviewer
Shelton, Brenda K.
Interviewee
Thomas, Frederick
Collection
Citation
“Frederick Thomas,” Digital Collections - University at Buffalo Libraries, accessed December 17, 2025, https://digital.lib.buffalo.edu/index.php/items/show/4318.