Inventory of the Army Research Office--Durham (AROD) records, 1957-1982

Abstract

The Office of Ordnance Research (OOR), U.S. Army, a Class II military institution, established offices on the Duke University campus in June 1951. On January 16, 1961 the OOR ceased to exist and was instead re-designated as the Army Research Office-Durham (AROD) under the command of the Chief, Research and Development. The 1960s and 1970s saw a weakening in the working relationship between the military and the scientific communities. In the spring of 1975, ARO left the Duke campus and moved to the Research Triangle Park, ten miles southeast of Durham.

Descriptive Summary

Repository: University Archives, Duke University
Creator: United States. Army Research Office--Durham.
Title: Army Research Office--Durham (AROD) records, 1957-1982
Language of Material: English
Extent: 2.7 Linear Feet, 1000 Items
Location: For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.

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Collection Overview

Collection contains materials pertaining to the mission and organization of the U.S. Army Office of Ordinance Research, the forerunner of the Army Research Office-Durham (AROD). Materials include summaries of the activities of the Duke/AROD coordination office for the fiscal years 1966, 1969-1971, and a scrapbook dated 1959. The scrapbook contains photographs of Duke officials, Ordnance office chiefs, various dedication events and ceremonies, event guest lists, official luncheons, and RTP exhibit, all from 1959. The materials in the collection span the years 1957-1982.

Administrative Information

Collections are on the move for the renovation of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library. Contact Rubenstein Library staff before visiting. Read More »

Access Restrictions

Patrons must sign the Acknowledgement of Legal Responsibility and Privacy Rights form before using this collection.

Collection is open for research.

In off-site storage; 24 hours advance notice is required for use.

Use Restrictions

Copyright for Official University records is held by Duke University; all other copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Contents of the Collection

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Army Research Office - Durham, 1963-1982

Box 1

The Office of Ordnance Research, synopsis of philosophy and operations, 1957 January

Box 1

U.S. Army Research Office-Durham: Proceedings of the 6th Conference on the Design of Experiments in Army Research Development and Testing.

Box 1

Summary of the Activities and Expenditures of the Duke/ARO-D Coordination Office during the Fiscal Year 1971

Box 1

Summary of the Activities and Expenditures of the Duke/ARO-D Coordination Office during the Fiscal Year 1970

Box 1

Summary of the Activities and Expenditures of the Duke/ARO-D Coordination Office during the Fiscal Year 1969

Box 1

Summary of the Activities and Expenditures of the Duke/ARO-D Coordination Office during the Fiscal Year 1966

Box 1

Summary of the Activities and Expenditures of the Duke/ARO-D Coordination Office during the Fiscal Year 1971 [duplicate]

Box 2

Summary of the Activities and Expenditures of the Duke/ARO-D Coordination Office during the Fiscal Year 1970 [duplicate]

Box 2

Summary of the Activities and Expenditures of the Duke/ARO-D Coordination Office during the Fiscal Year 1969 [duplicate]

Box 2

Scrapbook, 1959

Box 3

Historical Note

The Office of Ordnance Research (OOR), U.S. Army, a Class II military institution, established offices on the Duke University campus in June 1951. Marcus E. Hobbs, Chairman of the Department of Chemistry, served as acting chief scientist until Tomas J. Killian took over in a permanent capacity. Hobbs was instrumental in developing the "skeleton of the organization" which continued throughout the life of the organization with only minor adjustments. The organization was divided into four main divisions chemistry, mathematics, engineering, and physics. Scientists to fill the top slots were drawn primarily from Duke University, with others from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, North Carolina State, and Virginia Polytech.

OOR first occupied the Hanes Mansion, but after 6 years, the burgeoning Office had outgrown the available space. In December 1958, OOR moved into a new building that was built for them on the Duke campus north of the School of Engineering. The OOR entered a lease arrangement with the University for the space helping to cover the cost of construction.

On January 16, 1961 the OOR ceased to exist and was instead re-designated as the Army Research Office-Durham (AROD) under the command of the Chief, Research and Development.

The 1960s and 1970s saw a weakening in the working relationship between the military and the scientific communities. In the spring of 1975 ARO left the Duke campus and moved to the Research Triangle Park ten miles southeast of Durham.

Subject Headings

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