Hyman Steinberg Collection on Solar Research
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Abstract
Hyman Steinberg (1925-2016) was a teacher, scientist, and engineer who held over 20 patents for various inventions, including solar technology innovations, hearing aids, and rotary shavers. He worked in the fields of architecture, engineering, public relations, and consulting, and held positions at New York University (1951-1955) and the John F. Kennedy Space Center (1967-1971). This collection consists of materials created and collected by Steinberg in the 1950s and 1960s documenting his research in solar power and the development, production, and promotion of the Sundiner Solar Cooking Oven (also referred to as a grill in some materials). Materials in this collection include engineering drawings; domestic and international patents; press releases; advertisements; reports for potential investors; photographic negatives, prints, and slides used to demonstrate or promote the grill; and correspondence concerning the business aspects of the invention process, including production and manufacturing costs. Materials also include one 16mm film reel from 1953 demonstrating home construction techniques based on Steinberg's research.
Biographical Note
Hyman Steinberg (1925-2016) was a teacher, scientist, and engineer who held over 20 patents for various inventions, including solar technology innovations, hearing aids, and rotary shavers. Steinberg served as a Radioman in the United States Navy from 1944-1946, after which he earned his Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Engineering (1951) from Oklahoma State University. He worked in the fields of architecture, engineering, public relations, and consulting, and held specialist positions at New York University (1951-1955) and the John F. Kennedy Space Center (1967-1971). A major avenue of Steinberg's innovation focused on applications of solar energy and the development of his invention, the Sundiner Solar Energy Grill.
Source:
Dignity Memorial. "Hyman Steinberg Obituary." Dignitymemorial.com. http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Hyman-Steinberg&lc=7083&pid=177719394&mid=6801159 (retrieved February 15, 2018).
Arrangement
This collection has not been arranged by an archivist. The materials are arranged in the order in which they were received from the donor.
Scope and Contents
This collection consists of materials created and collected by Hyman Steinberg in the 1950s and 1960s documenting his research in solar power and the development, production, and promotion of the Sundiner Solar Cooking Oven (also referred to as the Sunpower Solar Grill in some materials). Materials in this collection include engineering drawings; domestic and international patents; press releases; advertisements; reports for potential investors; photographic negatives, prints, and slides used to demonstrate or promote the oven; and correspondence concerning the business aspects of the invention process, including production and manufacturing costs. Materials also include one 16mm film reel from 1953 demonstrating home construction techniques based on Steinberg's research. The collection includes reports and research not related to solar energy, such as a plan for a laboratory facility.
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Conditions Governing Access
Materials are open without restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright (or related rights to publicity and privacy) for materials in this collection, created by Hyman Steinberg, was not transferred to New York University. Permission to use materials must be secured from the copyright holder.
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, date; Hyman Steinberg Collection on Solar Research; MC 285; box number; folder number; New York University Archives, New York University.
Location of Materials
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by David Steinberg, Hyman Steinberg's son, in December 2017 and February 2018; the accession numbers associated with these gifts are 2018.003 and 2018.009, respectively. David Steinberg donated an accretion consisting of one film reel in January 2025; the accession number associated with this gift is 2025.002.
Audiovisual Access Policies and Procedures
Audiovisual materials have not been preserved and may not be available to researchers. Materials not yet digitized will need to have access copies made before they can be used. To request an access copy, or if you are unsure if an item has been digitized, please contact New York University Archives, special.collections@nyu.edu, 212-998-2596 with the collection name, collection number, and a description of the item(s) requested. A staff member will respond to you with further information.
Appraisal
In March 2019, one of the solar grills in this collection was deaccessioned and transferred to the New York University Poly Archives and Special Collections.
About this Guide
Processing Information
At the time of accessioning materials were rehoused in an archival box and folders, and described on the collection-level with a folder list. No other arrangement, description, or physical interventions have taken place. In March 2019, one of the solar grills was deaccessioned and transferred to the New York University Poly Archives and Special Collections. In January 2025, one 16mm film reel was inspected, rehoused, and intellectually incorporated into the collection at the end of the inventory.