Snow Cruiser Photos, Elbert M. Decker, 1939

Collection

Identifier: 031.08.05

Staff Only

Six 8 x 10" black and white photos of Snow Cruiser during it test run and public exhibit in Soldier Field, Chicago, IL. 1. News reel cameraman photographing the Snow Cruiser. 2. Snow Cruiser with people viewing it. 3. Adm. Byrd in front of Snow Cruiser. 4. View of Snow Cruiser with man standing on top. 5. View showing ramped front underside. 6. Close-up view of tire and hydraulic column used to life wheel.

Dates

Creation: 1939

Creator

Decker, Elbert M., Mr., Major USAF Ret. (Person)

Language of Materials

Records are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

Available for Research

Collection Size

6 Photographs

Additional Description

Abstract

The Snow Cruiser was an experimental vehicle built in 1939 by Armour Research Foundation for use by Adm. Byrd on his third Antarctic Expedition.

Biographical Note

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)

Provenance

Formerly 1993.012. Reprints were made in 1993 by donor from negatives in his possession. He apparently was the photographer. See donor letter in file.