Armour Research Foundation (U.S.)

Organization

Staff Only

Biography

Armour Research Foundation (ARF) was one of the first private, not-for-profit contract research laboratories in the United States. Begun in Chicago in 1936 by Armour Institute of Technology (AIT), ARF was acquired by Illinois Institute of Technology in 1940 when IIT was created by the merger of AIT and Lewis Institute. Re-named Armour Research Foundation of Illinois Institute of Technology, it was later reorganized as the IIT Research Institute (IITRI). Under all its iterations, the laboratory conducted research for commercial and government sources, expanding to an international operation. Per IIT President John L. Anderson's April e-newsletter to the campus community, "In 2002, Alion purchased the non-life-science assets of IIT Research Institute.... IITRI remains an IIT-controlled company and is led by David McCormick, who is also professor of biology at the university.... [In March 2010] the university received a cash payment...in exchange for our final holdings of bonds and warrants in Alion...." Source: IIT Archives (Chicago)

Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:

Research: Key to Progress film, 1956

Collection

Identifier: 031.10.03

Description of the Collection Film titled Research: Key to Progress: The Story of Armour Research Foundation of Illinois Institute of Technology. Sound and color with narration, music, and cartoon-type graphics. Produced by ARF, filmed by Lewis and Martin Films, Inc. Ca. 10 minutes. Probably made as a promotion to attract potential clients who would hire ARF to conduct research. Haldon A. Leedy, director of ARF 1948-1963, speaks about research; views of ARF buildings (designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe)....

Dates: 1956

Found in: Paul V. Galvin Library. University Archives and Special Collections

Space! film, 1961

Collection

Identifier: 031.10.02

Description of the Collection Film titled "Space!" which was commercially produced for television broadcast. Black & white with sound, intended as a 30 minute program; film included the commercials run with the original broadcast which was aired in 1961 (October 26?) by WBKB, Channel 7, the ABC affiliate in Chicago. Norman Ross interviews scientists (on-site in labs and offices at ARF) from Armour Research Foundation of Illinois Institute of Technology about research being conducted in connection with the U. S....

Dates: 1961