Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2006.006.008 |
Object Name |
Autoharp |
Description |
This autoharp is mounted onto its case. It belonged to "Pop" Stoneman. The following research excerpt was submitted by a Reece Museum volunteer in November 2024. The research sources used to write this submission can be made available upon request. "William Theodore (Bill) Becker was born in 1936 in Champaign, Illinois where he attended University High School. Becker received his Ph.D. in Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Illinois. For 35 years, he taught at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and retired from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering shortly before his death. Becker enjoyed folk music and amassed an extensive collection of folk recordings. This collection was eventually donated to the Archives of Appalachia. He played guitar, banjo and dulcimer. Becker's favorite music was 'old-timey' mountain music and train songs. He was a model railroader and served as an officer in the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA). Becker contributed to the establishment of the NMRA's Kalmbach Memorial Library in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Becker was an authority in the fields of Mechanical Properties and Failure Analysis of metals. Becker's professional contributions were countless including with the American Society of Metals (ASM). He served as Faculty Sponsor of the Student Chapter of ASM. His 28 years of teaching for ASM earned Becker awards for distinguished instruction and service. Becker's expertise was sought by federal and military agencies, insurance companies, and legal and industrial firms for whom he served as a consultant. In a Knoxville News Sentinel article published shortly after his death on January 5, 2006, Becker's wife, Peg, said: 'He was an original. He was a person who did not suffer fools. He was old school. His goal was perfection.'" |
Date |
c. early 20th century |
Dimensions |
H-3.5 W-12 L-39 cm |
Collection |
William T. Becker Collection |
Material |
wood, metal |
Subjects |
music |
Made |
Oscar Schmidt |
Search Terms |
Handmade Musical Instrument |