Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Bruce Hamilton Papers, 1975-1997
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Hamilton, Bruce
- Title
- Bruce Hamilton Papers
- Dates
- 1975-1997 (inclusive)19751997
- Quantity
- 1.5 linear feet, (3 boxes)
- Collection Number
- UUS_ORA 009
- Summary
- This collection contains documents pertaining to The North Face from the late 1960s to the 1990s, including information about the Oval Intention, Buckminster Fuller, the 1990 International Trans-Antarctica Expedition, as well as The North Face financial records, media articles, and product planning documents.
- Repository
-
Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections and Archives Division
Special Collections & Archives
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
Logan, UT
84322-3000
Telephone: 4357978248
Fax: 4357972880
scweb@usu.edu - Access Restrictions
-
No restrictions on use, except: not available through interlibrary loan.
- Languages
- English
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
This collection contains documents pertaining to The North Face from the late 1960s to the 1990s. Much of it is devoted to the design and evolution of the company's geodesic dome-shaped tent, the Oval Intention, as well as to the 1990 International Trans-Antarctica Expedition. It also contains general information related to The North Face, such as financial records, media articles, and product planning documents and sketchbooks.
Historical NoteReturn to Top
Bruce Hamilton studied biology and chemistry at Vanderbilt University from 1964-1968, and from there he began working at The North Face, where he served as the VP Manufacturing and CEO for nearly 20 years. During his time with The North Face, he participated in the creation of the revolutionary Oval Intention, a tent with a geodesic dome structure. The geodesic dome was pioneered by the architect R. Buckminster Fuller, who met with The North Face staff during the final product design and made a number of subsequent visits to the company.
After leaving The North Face in October 1989, Hamilton worked as the CEO of Yakima Products for eight years, where he took over most of the day-to-day management of the company.
In 1998, Hamilton left Yakima Products to work as the CEO of Wing Inflatables. After eight years, he decided to retire.
Since 2007, Hamilton and his wife Cathy have owned and operated Wildwood Manufacturing, a company that produces made-to-order electric guitar and bass bodies and necks. Hamilton and his family live in Arcata, California.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.
Permission to publish material from the Bruce Hamilton papers must be obtained from the Manuscript Curator and/or the Special Collections Department Head.
Preferred Citation
Initial Citation: Bruce Hamilton papers USU_ORA 009. Special Collections and Archives. Utah State University Merrill-Cazier Library. Logan, Utah.
Following Citations:USU_ORA 009, USUSCA.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Arrangement
Arranged topically.
Acquisition Information
Bruce Hamilton donated these materials to USU Special Collections and Archives in 2021. The sketchbooks were donated in 2023.
Related Materials
Outdoor Recreation Catalogs (ORA 001)
Outdoor Recreation Serials (ORA 002)
Mark Erickson papers, USU ORA 012
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box | Folder | ||
| 1 | 1 | Bay to Breakers | undated |
| 1 | 2 | Will Steger | undated |
| 1 | 3 | Photo album of 1990 Trans-Antartica expedition | 1990 |
| 2 | 1 | The North Face's R. Buckminster fuller dedication catalog | undated |
| 2 | 2 | Buckminster Fuller | 1977 October |
| 2 | 3 | Buckminster Fuller | 1983 June |
| 2 | 4 | Big Tent | undated |
| 2 | 5 | Oval Intention Tent | undated |
| 3 | 1 | Financial records | 1978-1986 |
| 3 | 2 | Financial records | 1989-1996 |
| 3 | 3 | Product planning | 1975-1985 |
| 3 | 4 | South Coast Plaza retail outlet | 1986 November |
| 3 | 5 | Newspaper clippings | 1984-1997 |
| 3 | 6 | Sketchbook | July 1976 - January 1977 |
| 3 | 7 | Sketchbook | February 1977 - October 1977 |
| 3 | 8 | Sketchbook | October 1977 - February 1983 |
| 3 | 9 | Sketchbook | July 1983 - February 1987 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Camping equipment industry
- Sports and Recreation
Finding aid created by Chloe Miller and Clint Pumphrey. Updated by Heather Housley
2021, 2023
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
