George C. Hale papers, 1907-2011
A Guide to his papers at the Indiana University
Archives
Finding aid prepared by Matt Carruthers.
Summary Information
Repository
Indiana University Archives
1320 East Tenth Street
Herman B Wells Library E460
Bloomington, IN 47405-7000
Phone: 812-855-1127
Email: archives@indiana.edu
http://www.libraries.iub.edu/archives
Creator
Hale, George C., 1891-1948.
TitleGeorge C. Hale papers, 1907-2011
Collection No.
C440
Extent
0.2 cubic feet (1 box)
Language
Materials are in English
Abstract
Dr. George C. Hale, 1891-1948, was an
Indiana native and chemist for the Picatinny Arsenal in Dover, New Jersey. His
research concentrated on ordnance both for military and commercial applications. The
collection consists of biographical materials, correspondence, and photographs
relating to Dr. Hale’s education, career, and accomplishments.
Access Restrictions
Collection is open for research. Advance notice required.
Biographical Note
Dr. George C. Hale was born in Cass, Indiana on September 29, 1891. He briefly worked
as a school teacher in Indiana in 1910, before enrolling at Indiana University 1911.
In 1915, he graduated with a B.A. and M.S. in Chemistry and was given a teaching
fellowship at Indiana University, where he taught until he accepted a position in
1917 as a chemist at the U.S. Army Ordnance Picatinny Arsenal in Dover, New Jersey.
He later received his PhD from Indiana University in Chemistry in 1925, being only
the sixth person to do so at the time.
As a civilian scientist at the Picatinny Arsenal, Dr. Hale conducted research on a
variety of ordnance and developed cylonite (also known as RDX), which eventually
went on to largely replace the explosive TNT. Dr. Hale also created another
explosive, Haleite, which was named in his honor. He was eventually elevated to the
level of Chief Chemist at Picatinny Arsenal and continued his work there until his
death on November 3, 1948.
In addition to his work on cyclonite and Haleite, Dr. Hale holds patents on numerous
explosives, powders, and propellants. In 1962, the George C. Hale Building, a new
laboratory at Picatinny Arsenal, was dedicated in his honor.
Arrangement
Collection is organized into three series: Biographical materials, Correspondence,
and Photographs.
Scope and Content Note
The George C. Hale papers are organized into three series: Biographical materials,
Correspondence, and Photographs.
The first series, Biographical materials (1910-2011), is arranged chronologically. It
consists of a Hale family history written by Dr. Hale, as well as a short
biographical sketch of Dr. Hale written by his son, Dr. Allen Hale. The series also
includes newspaper clippings and articles on the work and achievements of Dr. [George]
Hale.
The second series, Correspondence (1921-1991), is arranged chronologically. It
consists primarily of professional correspondence regarding the work and service of
Dr. Hale at Picatinny Arsenal in Dover, New Jersey. Also included are letters to Dr.
Hale’s wife regarding his death.
The third series, Photographs (1907-1949), is arranged chronologically. It consists
of photographs from Dr. Hale’s time as a teacher, a student, both in high school and
at Indiana University, and as a chemist at Picatinny Arsenal. Included in the
photographs with Dr. Hale are friends, fellow students, and colleagues.
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Indexing Terms
-
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
IUCAT, the IU Libraries'
online catalog. Materials about related topics, persons or places can be found by
searching the catalog using these terms.
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Separated Material
Fifteen photographs were transferred to the Photographs Collection. Contact the
Curator of Photographs for more information.
Administrative Information
Acquisition Information
Accession 2011/035
Usage RestrictionsThe donor(s) of this collection have transferred their copyrights for the materials to the Trustees of Indiana University
through a Deed of Gift. For more information, please contact the Indiana University Archives staff.
The Indiana University Archives respects the intellectual property rights of others and does not claim any copyrights for
non-university records, materials in the public domain, or materials for which we do not hold a Deed of Gift. Responsibility
for the determination of the copyright status of these materials rests with those persons wishing to reuse the materials.
Researchers are responsible for securing permission from copyright owners and any other rights holders for any reuse of these
materials that extends beyond fair use or other statutory limitations.
Digital reproductions of archival materials from the Indiana University Archives are made available for noncommercial educational
and research purposes only. If you are the copyright holder for any of the digitized materials and have questions about its
inclusion on our site, please contact the Indiana University Archivist.
Preferred Citation
[Item], George C. Hale papers, Collection C440, Indiana University Archives, Bloomington.
Provenance
The collection was gifted to the Archives by Dr. Hale’s sons, Dr. Allen C. Hale
and George C. Hale, Jr., in 2011.
Processing InformationProcessed by Matt Carruthers.
Completed in 2011.
Container List
Series:
Box 1
Biographical materials, 1910-2011
Invitation to Commencement Exercises, Sullivan High School,
Sullivan, IN, May 20,
1910
U.S. passport, issued, June 22, 1920
Visa, 1921
List of patents, 1925-1960
3 pages
“The Hale Family,” a history, 1927
(original)
“The Hale Family,” a history, 1927
7 pages
(transcription)
Announcement – Junior Chemical Engineers of New York, Dinner and
meeting with Dr. George C. Hale, speaker on “Fundamental Properties of
Explosives,” March 2,
1942
“George C. Hale, Ph.D. Biography,” 1943
2 pages
(transcription)
Army Ordnance, Vol. XXXI, No. 1959, November-December,
1946
(Page 233)
“George Clyde Hale, Hoosier Chemist, Pioneer in Ordnance Research
and the Early Chemistry of the Explosive, RDX,” by Marvin Carmack,
Department of Chemistry, Indiana University,1991
8 pages
“Conspiracy in the Basement: A Personal Memory of George C. Hale,
Ph.D.,” by Allen C. Hale, Ph.D.,February
18, 2011
1 page
Honors and awards, 1945-1962
“Commendation for Exceptional Civilian Service,” presented at
Picatinny Arsenal, July 1,
1945
(photocopy)
“In Memoriam” plaque, Picatinny Arsenal, Dover, NJ, Spring
1949
(plaque drawing)
The George C. Hale Building Dedication Ceremony, Picatinny
Arsenal, Dover, NJ, April 27,
1962
Address by Brigadier General C. W. Clark, April 27, 1962
10 pages
(photocopy)
Invitation, April 27, 1962
3 pages
(photocopy)
Program, April 27, 1962
16 pages
(photocopy)
Recording of dedication ceremony, //archdesc/dsc/c01[1]/c02[12]/c03[3]/c04[4]/did/unittitle/unitdate
(CD)
Articles, 1915-1995
“Member of Sigma Xi,” circa
1915
(Newspaper unknown)
“Deadlier Explosive Declared Unlikely,”
Buffalo Evening News,
November 22, 1939
“Ingenious Development of High Explosives is Told by
Engineer,”
Buffalo Courier-Express,
Buffalo, NY, November 22,
1939
“Army Has New Powder: Flashless Explosive Reported at Dinner
of Chemists,”
New York Times, New York,
NY, February 25,
1941
“Alpha Chi Sigma,” notice of meeting – New York Professional
Chapter, Alpha Chi Sigma, “Explosives and Defense Activities,” by
Dr. George C. Hale,December 3,
1941
(Publication unknown)
“Dr. G. C. Hale, Chief Chemist, Picatinny Arsenal, to talk on
‘Military Explosives’,”
The Indicator,
Western Connecticut Section, American Chemical Society, 1941
“Flashless Powder Developed,”
Oil,
Paint & Drug Reporter,
March 10, 1941
“Explosive Shells Job for Chemists,” circa 1941
(Newspaper unknown, possibly
New York
World-Telegram,
New York, NY)
“Explosives Expert Spoke to Engineers,” October 20, 1942
(Newspaper unknown)
“’Haleite’ New Explosive,”
Dover
Advance,
Dover, NJ, June
2, 1943
“New Explosive Produced,”
The Evening
Bulletin,
Philadelphia, PA, July 15, 1943
“New U.S. Explosive Better Than TNT,”
Cleveland Press, Cleveland, OH, July 15, 1943
“New Explosive is Developed in U.S.,”
Daily Journal-World, Lawrence, Kansas, July 15, 1943
“Bazooka is Nemesis of Nazi Tanks,”
New
York World-Telegram,
July
20, 1943
“Names and Faces in the News: Research Honored,” circa July 1943
(Newspaper unknown)
“New Explosive Can Be Manufactured in Plants Like Keystone,”
circa July 1943
(Newspaper unknown)
“Arsenal Workers During an Earlier War,” circa 1944
(Newspaper unknown, possibly
Picatinny
News,
Dover, NJ; photocopy)
“Dr. George Hale, Noted Inventor and Explosives Research
Expert Comes ‘Home’ for Brief Weekend Visit,” circa 1944
(Newspaper unknown, possibly
Sullivan Daily
Times,
Sullivan, IN)
“Picatinny Chemist Hunts Fuel to Blast U.S. Rockets Higher,”
circa 1947
(Newspaper unknown, possibly
Dover Advance,
Dover, NJ)
“Dedicate $1 Million Hale Building,”
Dover Advance, Dover, NJ, April 30, 1962
(photocopy)
“Pioneer Hoosier chemist proudly called Cass home,”
Sullivan Daily Times, Sullivan, IN,
September 27,
1991
“The Ordnance Corps Hall of Fame,” U.S. Army Ordnance Museum,
Aberdeen Proving Ground, Aberdeen, MD, May 12, 1995
(selected pages: i, ii, 1, 13)
Series:
Correspondence, 1921-1991
From R. L. Maxwell, Major, Ordnance Dept., Commanding and J. K.
Crain, Ordinance Officer: granting of leave for Dr. Hale, April 2, 1921
(photocopy)
To Commanding Officer, Picatinny Arsenal, Dover, New Jersey, from
R. L. Maxwell, Major, Ordnance Dept., Commanding (re: Return of George
C. Hale to Picatinny Arsenal), April 19,
1921
(photocopy)
From John J. Pershing, General of the Armies, Chief of Staff (re:
Confirmation of Mr. George C. Hale as technical advisor to the Board to
investigate fire at Old Hickory Ordnance Reserve Depot at Old Hickory,
TN), August 11,
1924
To Dr. G. C. Hale, from W. H. Kauffmann, M.E., Chairman, Buffalo
Section, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (re: Lecture at
November Meeting), November 24,
1939
To Commanding General, Picatinny Arsenal, Dover, NJ, from Francis
M. Shea, Assistant Attorney General, Department of Justice, Washington,
D.C. (re: Appreciation for services of Dr. George C. Hale testifying in
Court of Claims as an expert), June 2,
1942
To Dr. G. C. Hale, from J. A. Struthers, Program Chairman, Morris
County (NJ) Engineers Society (re: Thank you for presentation on
Military Explosives at meeting), October
20, 1942
To Dr. John J. O’Connor, Editor, Ordnance Department, Office of
the Chief of Ordnance, Washington, D.C., from W. E. Larned, Col.,
Ordnance Department, Picatinny Arsenal, Dover, NJ (re: Submission of
biographical sketch of Dr. George C. Hale), December 1, 1943
(3 pages)
To Dr. George C. Hale, from E. S. Hughes, Major General, Chief of
Ordnance, War Department, Washington, D.C. (re: Recent illness),
June 13, 1946
To Mrs. George C. Hale, from J. P. Harris, Col., Ordnance Dept.,
Commanding (re: Death of Dr. Hale), November 4, 1948
(2 pages)
To Mrs. G. C. Hale, from William E. Larned, Colonel, USA, Retired
(re: Death of Dr. Hale), November 20,
1948
To Mr. George C. Hale, Jr., from Marvin Carmack, Professor
Emeritus of Chemistry, Indiana University (re: Prof. Carmack’s article
on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Dr. Hale’s birth), November 10, 1991
(2 pages)
Series:
Photographs, circa
1907-1949, undated
(All photographs have been transferred to the Photograph Collection.
Contact the Curator of Photographs for further information.)
Hale with Dugger High School (Dugger, IN) basketball team,
circa 1907
Elementary school class, George C. Hale, teacher, circa 1910
Hale with Indiana University classmates, circa 1911
Hale with roommate, Dex Neal (on right), circa
1911-1915
Hale with roommate, Dex Neal (on left), circa 1911
Hale in graduation gown, Indiana University, 1915
Hale’s senior class picture,
Arbutus
yearbook, Indiana University, 1915
Hale with colleagues at Mulheim Ordnance Depot, Coblenz, Germany,
circa 1921
(2 photographs)
Hale’s PhD graduation photograph, Indiana University, 1925
Dr. Hale receiving Commendation for “Exceptional Civilian
Service” from Col. W. E. Larned, Commanding Officer, Picatinny Arsenal,
Dover, NJ, July 1,
1945
Portrait of Dr. Hale, 1946 (used for cover of
Army Ordnance, Vol. XXXI, No. 159, November-December,
1946 )
Cover of
Army Ordnance, Vol. XXXI,
No. 1959, November-December, 1946
Plaque and portrait from dedication at Picatinny Arsenal, Dover,
NJ,>Spring 1949
Dr. Hale in laboratory, undated
