Ralph Gardner-Chavis (Finding Aid)

Ralph Gardner-Chavis

1922 -

Favorite Color: Blue

Favorite Food: lobster

Favorite Time of Year: Summer

Favorite Vacation Spot: San Francisco

Interview Length: 158 minutes

Interview Date(s): March 19, 2004

Interview Location(s): Cleveland, Ohio

Abstract

Chemist Ralph Gardner-Chavis describes his family background, detailing how his parents met, their personalities, and their family backgrounds. Gardner-Chavis also shares memories of growing up in Buffalo, New York and his move to Cleveland, Ohio, where he reviews the schools he attended and described his parents' professions. Chemist Ralph Gardner-Chavis details his education, and remembers how his opposition to joining the Army after graduating from college led him to being recruited to join the Manhattan Project, constructing the atomic bomb. Gardner-Chavis details the science and the method behind building the bomb, and discusses some of the political issues surrounding the bomb during the latter stages of World War II. Chemist Ralph Gardner-Chavis describes his life in Chicago working on the Manhattan project during World War II and reflects on the scientific, cultural, and political impacts of the atomic bomb. Gardner-Chavis then describes his post-war work for Standard Oil of Ohio and his doctorate work at Western Reserve University, where he researched catalysis while getting his Ph.D. in chemistry. Chemist Ralph Gardner-Chavis gives a detailed description of his research involving catalysis while working on his Ph.D. at Western Reserve University and being employed at Standard Oil of Ohio. Gardner-Chavis then describes repeated incidents with a racist supervisor that led to his quitting SOHIO. Gardner-Chavis also details his trip to Moscow to deliver an influential paper at an international conference. Chemist Ralph Gardner-Chavis describes his career at Cleveland State University, including his interest in early childhood learning and development, his advocacy for Black Studies and multi-racial courses to be added to the curriculum at Cleveland State, and his struggle to be promoted to full professor, despite his long years of achievement and success. Chemist Ralph Gardner-Chavis continues to describe his unsuccessful bid to be promoted to full professor at Cleveland State University. Gardner-Chavis then discusses his move to a private firm where he continued his research, although he eventually returned to Cleveland State. Gardner-Chavis reflects on his life and career, summarizing his groundbreaking research on catalysis, reading a poem he wrote, and sharing his concerns about the future of humanity.

35 Stories (See Ordered Story Set)