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Julien M. Christensen papers

 Collection
Identifier: UASC-011

Scope and Content

The Julien M. Christensen papers contain publications and documents related to human factors engineering in both the public and academic spheres. The collection includes journals, newsletters, magazines, standards and regulations, Christensen's personal publications, and classroom materials. The collection spans 1943-1998.

Dates

  • Creation: 1943-1998

Creator

Access to Materials

This collection is open and available to the public for research in the University Archives and Special Collections reading room. The materials are non-circulating.

Copyright

The materials in this collection may be protected by copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code). They are available for personal, educational, and scholarly use. It is the responsibility of the researcher to locate and obtain permission from the copyright owner or his or her heirs for any other use, such as reproduction and publication.

Biography of Julien M. Christensen

Julien Martin Christensen was born September 3, 1918, in Capron, Illinois. He attended primary and secondary school in the Capron public school system. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Illinois in 1940 and a Master of Arts degree from the Ohio State University in 1952. With the aid of a 1958 National Science Foundation grant, Christensen earned a Ph.D. in psychology from The Ohio State University in 1959. Robert J. Wherry advised him on his doctoral dissertation, "The Importance of Selected Design Variables in Qualitative Instrument Reading."

Christensen was a World War II veteran, having served for four years in the U.S. Air Force. He was a recipient of the President's Distinguished Service Award in 1992. He worked for the Air Force for many years, performing psychological research and applications work, and was chief of the Engineering Psychology Branch of the Aerospace Medical Laboratory, Wright Air Development Center.

Christensen was a member of the Pole Vaulters Club, having been the first civilian to fly over the North Pole with the Air Force. He also served as an adviser for the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations at Three Mile Island. He held a private pilot's license and a scuba diver's license.

Christensen was a professor in the Psychology Department at the University of Dayton from 1956-1966. He served as president of the Society of Engineering Psychologists, Division of Applied Experimental and Engineering Psychology, from 1962-1963. He held a certified license from the State of Ohio, Board of Psychology. He wrote more than 133 books and journal articles, and the Human Factors Association of Canada gives an annual award in his name.

Julien Christensen died July 10, 1998, at Calvary Hospital in New York, NY, after a four-year struggle with cancer; he was 79. He was married to Imogene (Willis) Christensen for 44 years, and they had three daughters. Christensen was a resident of Bellbrook, Ohio, at the time of his death and is buried in Miami Memory Gardens.

Extent

24 Linear Feet (20 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract:

The collection mainly consists of publications and papers authored and collected by former University of Dayton psychology professor, Julien M. Christensen. It documents Christensen's research and career in human factors engineering in both public and academic spheres. Included are journals; newsletters and magazines; design guides, standards, and regulations; and Christensen's personal publications, classroom materials, and correspondence.

Statement of Arrangement

The Julien M. Christensen papers are divided into eight series.

Missing Title

  1. Series 1: Journals
  2. Series 2: Newsletters and magazines
  3. Series 3: Design guides, standards, regulations
  4. Series 4: Personal publications
  5. Series 5: Others' publications
  6. Series 6: Classroom materials
  7. Series 7: Personal correspondence
  8. Series 8: Miscellaneous

Physical Location

no content

Acquisition Information

Dr. Julien Christensen donated his papers to the University of Dayton Libraries around 1994.

Existence and Location of Copies note

Related Archival Materials note

Separated Materials note

General Physical Description note

36 linear feet (26 boxes)

Processing Information note

Title
Guide to the Julien M. Christensen papers, 1943-1998
Status
Completed
Author
Leigh Burnham and Lisa Pasquinelli
Date
2006
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the University Libraries Repository

Contact:
300 College Park Dr.
Dayton Ohio 45469-1360