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Armour Research Foundation (U.S.)

 Organization

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 9 Collections and/or Records:

ARF dessert plate, 1940

 Collection
Identifier: 031.09.02
Description of the Collection

One ceramic dessert plate, white with black letters "ARF" (for Armour Research Foundation) and black trim near edge. Marked on back: Liberty [illeg.] China/Albert Pick Co. Inc./ Chicago Illinois/McNicol China/Clarksburg/W. Va./U.S.A.

Dates: 1940

ARF photo prints and negatives, 1951-1964

 Collection
Identifier: 031.08.02
Description of the Collection Negatives and contact prints of black and white images documenting scientists and research projects of Armour Research Foundation (later, IITRI). Negatives are 2ΒΌ" sq. and 4x5" and are housed in paper envelopes with numbers corresponding to the images in the index list below. Negatives also have an inventory number (3 or 4 digits) which is different from that on the envelope. This appears to be a earlier...
Dates: 1951-1964

ARF Publicity collection, 1932-1963

 Collection
Identifier: 031.04.10
Description of the Collection Materials published by the Armour Research Foundation (ARF) sent to potential clients. Contains the following folders: 1) ARF Undated Publicity 2) Research Applied to Industry, 1932 3) International Division of ARF, 1940s 4) "To Our Sponsors" 1945 & 1950s 5) Industrial Laboratories, 1950 6) Armour Research Foundation advertising, 1953 7) Fact Sheet on Precision Gage Laboratory, 1954 8) ARF Technical Areas, 1956 9) New York Office opening announcement, 1962 10) ARF name-change...
Dates: 1932-1963; Majority of material found in 1932-1963

ARF tag

 Collection
Identifier: 031.09.01
Description of the Collection

Metal tag previously used as an inventory tag on one of several file cabinets used by Marvin Camras at Armour Research Foundation. Reads: "Armour Research Foundation/A1879".

Dates: 1888

Armour Research Foundation photos, 1951-1964

 Collection
Identifier: 031.08.03
Description of the Collection

Photos (4x5" black & white contact prints; most mounted on index cards) of Armour Research Foundation and Illinois Institute of Technology activities primarily documenting research and laboratory experiments. Identifications are generally included. Negatives are available for most images.


  1. See 1998.276 Collection Inventory Record for photograph index.
Dates: 1951-1964

Armour Research Foundation project reports, 1949-1953

 Collection
Identifier: 031.02.04
Abstract Crane Co.; 10/07/1949; 1. 50-116; none ;Renewal of Contract, R & D on Cast Iron Enamelware; Crane Co.; 05/15/1950; none. 50-350; none; Renewal of Contract, R & D on Cast Iron Enamelware; Crane Co.; 12/01/1950; none. None; 5-766 G; R & D on Cast Iron Enamelware; Crane Co.; 01/01/1950; 1. None; 5-766 G; R & D on Cast Iron Enamelware; Crane Co.; 02/15/1950; 2. None; 5-766 G; R & D on Cast Iron Enamelware; Crane Co.; 04/01/1950; 3. None; 5-766 G; R & D on Cast Iron...
Dates: 1949-1953

Publications From Illinois Institute of Technology

 Collection
Identifier: 040.01.02
Description of the Collection The serial publication titled Publications From Illinois Institute of Technology (or Publications Of Illinois Institute of Technology) was an index (with citations) of publications authored by graduate students of IIT (the college and graduate school) and faculty, and by staff (research scientists) of Armour Research Foundation and Institute of Gas Technology. Published annually in December; includes a listing of recipients of advanced degrees, Ph. D. dissertation abstracts and Master's...
Dates: 1952-1965

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

The Frontier collection, 1938-1970

 Collection
Identifier: 031.04.07
Description of the Collection Includes articles about and photographs of people and projects associated with the Research Foundation's activities. 1938-1941, volumes 1-4 Bound volume 1942-1945, volumes 5-8 Bound volume 1946-1949, volumes 9-12 Bound volume 1950-1953, volumes 13-16 Bound volume, contains an index for vol. 1-15. 1954-1957, volumes 17-20 Bound volume ...
Dates: 1938-1970

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