© The contents of this finding aid are the copyright of the University of Chicago Library
© 2007 University of Chicago Library
The collection is open for research.
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
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.
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.
The following related resources are located in the Department of Special Collections: