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University of Chicago Library

Guide to the University of Chicago Department of Meteorology Records 1937-1950

© 2007 University of Chicago Library

Descriptive Summary

Title:

University of Chicago. Department of Meteorology. Records

Dates:

1937-1950

Size:

1.75 linear feet (4 boxes)

Repository:

Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center
University of Chicago Library
1100 East 57th Street
Chicago, Illinois 60637 U.S.A.

Abstract:

The University of Chicago's Department of Meteorology was established in 1942, and conducted ground-breaking research through World War II. This collection consists of reports, correspondence, financial material, and other administrative records, mainly related to the department's research and development contracts with the U.S. Army and Navy, with a concentration of material dating from the mid- to late-1940s.

Information on Use

Access

The collection is open for research.

Citation

When quoting material from this collection, the preferred citation is: University of Chicago. Department of Meteorology. Records, [Box #, Folder #], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library

Historical Note

Meteorology as an academic discipline at the University of Chicago began as an institute of the Department of Physics in 1940. In 1942, Carl-Gustaf Rossby organized an independent Department of Meteorology. Early work established the "Chicago School" of meteorology, and the department was the site of ground-breaking research through World War II. In 1961, the department merged with the Department of Geology, forming the Department of Geophysical Sciences.

Scope Note

This collection consists of reports, correspondence, financial material, and other administrative records from the Department of Meteorology, with a concentration of material dating from the mid- to late-1940s. Most of the material originated in the department's instrument laboratory, and is related to the department's research and development contracts with the United States Army and Navy. The projects represented were conducted during and after World War II, and deal with instruments for predicting and measuring air turbulence, humidity, dew point, and winds. Also included are departmental meeting minutes, files on the department's radio station, and records related to the purchase, maintenance and location of meteorological equipment.

Related Resources

The following related resources are located in the Department of Special Collections:

Browse finding aids by topic.

University of Chicago. Department of Geology. Records

University of Chicago. Department of Physics. Records

University of Chicago. Division of the Physical Sciences. Records

Subject Headings

INVENTORY

Box 1   Folder 1

Airborne Turbulence Indicator, Model M-4, report, 1946

Box 1   Folder 2

Airplane Turbulence Indicator, 1944-1947

Box 1   Folder 3

Anemometer research, billing, 1946

Box 1   Folder 4

Anemometer research, 1946-1947

Box 1   Folder 5

Anemometer research, progress reports, 1946-1948

Box 1   Folder 6

Anemometer research, property and supplies, 1947

Box 1   Folder 7

Anemometer research, final accounting, 1948

Box 1   Folder 8

Bendix Aviation Corporation, Diamond-Hinman Radiosonde, 1942-1948

Box 1   Folder 9

Brissman, D.N., 1st Lt., A.C., “Instruction for Operation of University of Chicago Dewpoint Hygrometer,” report, n.d.

Box 1   Folder 10

Brissman, D.N., 1st Lt., A.C., “A Method for the Continuous Measurement of Dew Point Temperatures,” report, 1945

Box 1   Folder 11

Chanute turbulence investigation, 1945-1946

Box 1   Folder 12

Church, Phil E., “The Annual Temperature Cycle of Lake Michigan: II. Spring Warming and Summer Stationary Periods, 1942,”

Box 1   Folder 13

Cloud top indicator, 1944

Box 1   Folder 14

Departmental staff meeting minutes, 1947

Box 1   Folder 15

“Development and Flight Testing of a Balloon Radiosonde of High Precision for the Study of the Stratosphere,” report, October 24, 1950.

Box 1   Folder 16

“Development of Instruments for Accurate Pressure, Temperature, and Humidity Measurements in the Upper Atmosphere, April 1, 1946 to June 30, 1947,” progress report, 1947

Box 2   Folder 1

“Development of Instruments for Accurate Pressure, Temperature, and Humidity Measurements in the Upper Atmosphere," status reports, 1948

Box 2   Folder 2

Endlich, Roy M., Charles J. Neumann, George V. Owens, and Donald R. Purdy, “High Level Humidity Measurements Using Radiosondes with Increased Moisture Sensitivity,” report, July 1948.

Box 2   Folder 3

Equipment, 1946-1949

Box 2   Folder 4

Equipment, Navy loaned or furnished, 1947-1949

Box 2   Folder 5

Equipment, surplus, 1947-1948

Box 2   Folder 6

Equipment, loans, 1945-1949

Box 2   Folder 7

Ference, Michael, Jr. and Verner Suomi, "Survey and Analysis of Sonic Devices for Measuring True Air Speed," report, n.d.

Box 2   Folder 8

Flight Test Division memorandum, "Modification of an A-4 Camera," 1946

Box 2   Folder 9

Graphs, unidentified, n.d.

Box 2   Folder 10

Insurance, 1947-1948

Box 2   Folder 11

Hacker, Paul T., “Preliminary Report on Behavior of Lithium Chloride Hygrometer Elements under Conditions of A.C. and D.C. Excitation,” 1947

Box 2   Folder 12

Lake Michigan, bathythermographs, 1944

Box 2   Folder 13

Lake Michigan radiosonde, 1944

Box 2   Folder 14

Mobile weather unit, 1943-1944

Box 2   Folder 15

Moses, Harry, and Ferguson Hall, “A Sea Swell Indicator,” n.d.

Box 2   Folder 16

Naval research, administrative correspondence, 1947-1947

Box 2   Folder 17

Naval research, 1947-1949

Box 2   Folder 18

Naval research, “Instructions to Contractors holding Office of Naval Research Contracts under the Cognizance of the Chicago Branch Office,” 1947

Box 2   Folder 19

Radio set SCR-658, 1946-1947

Box 2   Folder 20

Radio station, 1946-1949

Box 2   Folder 21

Radio station, regulations, 1937-1949

Box 3   Folder 1

Scoates, William D., 1st Lt. A.C., “An Airborne Turbulence Indicator,” reports, 1945.

Box 3   Folder 2

Sea swell indicator, 1942-1944

Box 3   Folder 3

Services and repairs, 1947

Box 3   Folder 4

Signal Corps, correspondence, 1945-1948

Box 3   Folder 5

Sonic Thermometer, monthly reports, 1945-1948

Box 3   Folder 6

Temperature measurement research, “Final Report on Investigation on Temperature Measurement Contract W 28-003 sc-1618,” report, 1947.

Box 3   Folder 7

Temperature measurement research, 1945-1949

Box 3   Folder 8

Temperature measurement research, final accounting, 1946-1949

Box 3   Folder 9

Temperature measurement research, contracts, 1945-1946

Box 3   Folder 10

Temperature measurement research, supplies, 1947

Box 3   Folder 11

Temperature measurement research, contracts, 1947-1948

Box 3   Folder 12

Temperature measurement research, correspondence, 1945-1947

Box 3   Folder 13

Temperature measurement research, "Investigations on temperature measurement," engineering reports, 1946-1947

Box 3   Folder 14-15

Typhoon research (Project TYRENA), 1947

Box 4   Folder 1

Typhoon research (Project TYRENA), 1947

Box 4   Folder 2

Typhoon research (Project TYRENA), reports, 1948

Box 4   Folder 3

Typhoon research (Project TYRENA), 1947-1948

Box 4   Folder 4

Typhoon research (Project TYRENA), proposals, 1947

Box 4   Folder 5

United States Department of Commerce, correspondence, 1946- 1948

Box 4   Folder 6

United States Weather Bureau, report, 1947

Box 4   Folder 7

United States Weather Bureau, 1948

Box 4   Folder 8

W-Sonde, instructions and report, 1946

Box 4   Folder 9

W-Sonde, photographs, n.d.