Charles C. Lauritsen and Robert A. Millikan Standing Atop the Million Volt X-ray Tube
Dublin Core
Title
Charles C. Lauritsen and Robert A. Millikan Standing Atop the Million Volt X-ray Tube
Description
This photograph shows a defining moment in the early shape of physics research and study at Caltech: Charles C. Lauritsen and Robert A. Millikan standing atop the million volt X-ray tube at Caltech's High Voltage laboratory (c. 1928).
Initially, work at Caltech's High Voltage Laboratory (Hi Volts) powered Los Angeles through long-distance power lines, including lines to the Hoover Dam (Fowler). However, C. C. Lauritsen's move to Caltech in 1926 started a transition towards prolific nuclear physics research at the institute. Using his experience with radios, Lauritsen built the million-volt X-ray tube in 1928, and his electroscope innovation made a statement of Hi Volts' ability to use simple hand-held devices to perform large-scale calculations and phenomenological detections. Lauritsen's high-voltage innovations prompted Millikan to request W. K. Kellogg for financing a new laboratory. (Lauritsen; Fowler)
The creation of the million volt X-ray tube brought a paradigm shift in Caltech's physics research. Because these tubes were far more powerful than standard hospital tubes, Caltech was able to explore cancer therapy with high-voltage X-rays. By the 1930s, these medical X-ray technologies moved to the Kellogg Radiation Lab, leaving space for Hi Volts to expand its nuclear physics research and programs prior to World War II. Unfortunately, Kellogg's X-rays were turned off in 1939 due to commercialization of tubes in hospitals. (Lauritsen)
While Caltech's labs pivoted towards defense projects during WWII, all war-related work was eventually transferred to China Lake in 1945. With the war did come changes in the goals of the Kellogg lab, with Lauritsen pushing towards low-energy physics, leading towards observation of nuclear reactions in stars. (Fowler)
Works Cited
Initially, work at Caltech's High Voltage Laboratory (Hi Volts) powered Los Angeles through long-distance power lines, including lines to the Hoover Dam (Fowler). However, C. C. Lauritsen's move to Caltech in 1926 started a transition towards prolific nuclear physics research at the institute. Using his experience with radios, Lauritsen built the million-volt X-ray tube in 1928, and his electroscope innovation made a statement of Hi Volts' ability to use simple hand-held devices to perform large-scale calculations and phenomenological detections. Lauritsen's high-voltage innovations prompted Millikan to request W. K. Kellogg for financing a new laboratory. (Lauritsen; Fowler)
The creation of the million volt X-ray tube brought a paradigm shift in Caltech's physics research. Because these tubes were far more powerful than standard hospital tubes, Caltech was able to explore cancer therapy with high-voltage X-rays. By the 1930s, these medical X-ray technologies moved to the Kellogg Radiation Lab, leaving space for Hi Volts to expand its nuclear physics research and programs prior to World War II. Unfortunately, Kellogg's X-rays were turned off in 1939 due to commercialization of tubes in hospitals. (Lauritsen)
While Caltech's labs pivoted towards defense projects during WWII, all war-related work was eventually transferred to China Lake in 1945. With the war did come changes in the goals of the Kellogg lab, with Lauritsen pushing towards low-energy physics, leading towards observation of nuclear reactions in stars. (Fowler)
Works Cited
Fowler, William A. “Phyphty Years of Phun and Physics in Kellogg.” Engineering & Science, Mar. 1982, resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechES:45.4.Phowler.
Lauritsen, Thomas. “Kellogg Laboratory: The Early Years.” Engineering & Science, June 1969, resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechES:32.9.kellogg.
Source
Caltech Archives and Special Collections; Caltech Images Collection, Identifier: 10.46-10
[Accessed February 5, 2026: https://collections.archives.caltech.edu/repositories/2/archival_objects/111728]
[Accessed February 5, 2026: https://collections.archives.caltech.edu/repositories/2/archival_objects/111728]
Date
Circa 1928
Format
Photograph (negative)
Available on the archives as a digital image (.jpg)
[1935 x 2565 px]
Still Image Item Type Metadata
Original Format
Photograph (negative)
Citation
“Charles C. Lauritsen and Robert A. Millikan Standing Atop the Million Volt X-ray Tube,” Electrifying Los Angeles, accessed July 2, 2026, https://www.electrifying.collopy.net/items/show/16.