Skip to main content Skip to main navigation

Hyman Steinberg Collection on Solar Research

Call Number

MC.285

Date

1952-2005, inclusive

Creator

Steinberg, Hyman

Extent

.75 linear feet
in 1 manuscript box and 1 half manuscript box

Language of Materials

Most materials are in English, with the exception of patents in French, Italian, and Spanish.

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.

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. The collection also includes reports and research not related to solar energy, such as a plan for a laboratory facility.

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

Materials are stored offsite and advance notice is required for use. Please contact university-archives@nyu.edu at least two business days prior to your research visit to coordinate access.

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.

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.

Collection processed by

Rachel Searcy

About this Guide

This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2023-08-20 17:48:49 -0400.
Using Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language: Finding aid written in English

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.

Revisions to this Guide

April 2018: Record updated by Rachel Searcy to reflect February 2018 accretion
November 2021: Updated by Anna Bjornsson McCormick correct dates for the Sunpower Solar Grill

Repository

New York University Archives
New York University Archives
Elmer Holmes Bobst Library
70 Washington Square South
2nd Floor
New York, NY 10012