Copper Fittings Research Project Patent Records

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: MTU-016

Staff Only

Collection Scope and Content Summary

Records, 1933-1961, of patents issued to Michigan College of Mining and Technology in Houghton, Michigan relating to copper extrusion research conducted by university faculty members from the Department of Mechanical Engineering: Rex R. Seeber, Griffith N. Thresher and Almon P. Young. From 1934-1956 the extrusion research known as the Copper Fittings Research Project resulted in the issuance of 3 U.S. Patents, 15 foreign patents and 2 U.S. patent applications. Records include correspondence, patents and documentation related to royalties and litigation regarding associated patents issued to Michigan College of Mining and Technology by the United States, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Belgium and Sweden.

Dates

1933-1961

Access

Available for use in the Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections.

Conditions Governing Use

Various copying restrictions apply. Guidelines are available from Michigan Technological University Archives & Copper Country Historical Collections.

Biography

Rex R. Seeber, 1879-1957, graduated with a Bachelor of Science and Engineer of Mines degree in 1899 from Michigan College of Mines. Seeber worked for various land and mining companies in the region until his return to Michigan College of Mines as a faculty member in 1922. From 1926 until his retirement in 1948 Seeber headed the Department of Mechanical Engineering. His research focused on the extrusion of copper and as a result of his research the college obtained patents to the process of extrusion of copper fittings used worldwide. Seeber continued to direct the copper fittings research program after his retirement in 1948 until his death in 1957. Seeber was active in the Michigan Tech Foundation, acting as treasurer from 1946-1952 and led the fund-raising efforts for the Memorial Union building at Michigan Technological University. __Almon P. Young, a professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, joined the faculty of the Michigan College of Mines in 1930 as an assistant professor holding a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science from Purdue University. Young served as head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering following Rex Seeber's retirement in 1948 until 1963.