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Melvin A. Cook photograph collection, 1945-1985

Overview of the Collection

Com
Cook, Melvin A. (Melvin Alonzo)
Title
Melvin A. Cook photograph collection
Dates
1945-1985 (inclusive)
Quantity
0.25 linear feet, (1 archives box)  :  266 images; (75 8 x 10; 189 4 x 5 or greater)
Collection Number
P0567
Summary
The Melvin A. Cook photograph collection contains images relative to the investigation of potential and/or accidental explosions in a variety of areas and situations and the study and development and disposal of explosive materials. Subject matter includes electron diffraction, action of commercial xanthates, tungsten burners, etc. Also included; specialized photograph equipment, business meetings, and geology "before and after" images of test explosions.
Repository
University of Utah Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library
University of Utah
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City, UT
84112-0860

Telephone: 8015818863
special@library.utah.edu
Access Restrictions

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.

Languages
English
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Content Description

Melvin A. Cook is an explosives expert and chemist, known for work on shaped charges and slurry explosives. He was a professor of metallurgy at the University of Utah, a businessman, and an author of works on explosives. He also published works on creationism, particularly on the relationship between science and Mormon doctrines. Collection contains images relative to the investigation of potential and/or accidental explosions in a variety of areas and situations and the study and development and disposal of explosive materials. Subject matter includes electron diffraction, action of commercial xanthates, tungsten burners, etc. Also included; specialized photograph equipment, business meetings, and geology "before and after" images of test explosions. Collection is blackandwhite and color with text.

*Some explanations to photos are in German.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library's Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.

Preferred Citation

Collection Name, Collection Number, Box Number, Folder Number. Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library, The University of Utah.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

Collection is arranged topically.

Acquisition Information

Gift of Melvin A. Cook,1990 and 1994.

Processing Note

Processed by Ashley Arave in 2004.

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Separated Materials

Manuscript materials were transferred to the Melvin A. Cook papers (MS 0658).

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Detailed Description of the Collection

  • Melvin A. Cook and Explosives

    • Description: Explosion Analysis (detail)
      • Photograph number 1-34: Mangled pieces of metal collected after an explosion
      • Photograph number 35-78: Location of explosion and up close
      Container: Box 1, Folder 1
      Location: Melvin A. Cook and Explosives
    • Description: Miscellaneous
      • Photograph number 1: An Oscillogram
      • Photograph number 2: High Speed image converter Camera
      • Photograph number 3-4: Exploded pieces of a metal pipe
      • Photograph number 5: Unidentified
      • Photograph number 6-11: The Casco Depot at Alumasteel on May 6, 1978
      • Photograph number 12: Debris from burned trailer
      • Photograph number 13-14: Unidentified aerial views
      Container: Box 1, Folder 2
      Location: Melvin A. Cook and Explosives
    • Description: Dithekite Plasma (detail)
      • Photograph number 1: Streak camera traces of Dithekite plasmas
      • Photograph number 2-11: Unidentified
      Container: Box 1, Folder 3
      Location: Melvin A. Cook and Explosives
    • Description: Railway Explosion (detail)
      • Photograph number 1: Unidentified group
      • Photograph number 2: Explosion
      • Photograph number 3: Aerial view of the area
      • Photograph number 4-37: Pictures of the scene of the explosion, diagraming what happened (no explanation offered with photos)
      Container: Box 1, Folder 4
      Location: Melvin A. Cook and Explosives
    • Description: Electron Diffraction photographs
      • Photograph number 1-14: Photographs of electron diffraction.
      Container: Box 1, Folder 5
      Location: Melvin A. Cook and Explosives
    • Description: Relating to explostions
      • Photograph number 1: Photograph of Nobel Prize medal
      • Photograph number 2: Unidentified
      • Photograph number 3: "The Blast at Mesabi"
      • Photograph number 4: Jumping and spinning detonation with streak camera
      • Photograph number 5-6: Equipment
      • Photograph number 7-8: Unidentified group (explanation in German)
      • Photograph number 9: Explosive device
      • Photograph number 10: "Muck pile of Reserve Mining Company blast of SBA, view from top level"
      • Photograph number 11-12: Unidentified
      • Photograph number 13: Diagram
      • Photograph number 14: Dealing with explosive equipment
      • Photograph number 15: Image taken with a streak camera
      • Photograph number 16: Unidentified
      • Photograph number 17-18: Navajo Ordnance depot, Testing team
      • Photograph number 19: Unidentified canyon
      • Photograph number 20: Negative of an article
      • Photograph number 21: Grand Canyon
      Container: Box 1, Folder 6
      Location: Melvin A. Cook and Explosives
    • Description: Images dealing with explosions
      • Photograph number 1-43
      Container: Box 1, Folder 7
      Location: Melvin A. Cook and Explosives
    • Description: Images of a building that suffered from an explosion and things effected by the explosion
      • Photograph number 1-20
      Container: Box 1, Folder 8
      Location: Melvin A. Cook and Explosives
    • Description: Images dealing with explosions in Europe (Switzerland; explanation in German)
      • Photograph number 1-15
      Container: Box 1, Folder 9
      Location: Melvin A. Cook and Explosives
    • Description: Unidentified
      • Photograph number 1-2
      Container: Box 1, Folder 9a
      Location: Melvin A. Cook and Explosives
    • Description: IRECO, detonation and the detonation reaction zone
      • Photograph number 1-2: Unidentified portraits
      • Photograph number 3: IRECO Installation
      • Photograph number 4: Aerial Photo
      • Photograph number 5: Initiation of detonation and the detonation reaction zone. Nitric acid-water-nitrobenzene
      • Photograph number 6-9: Charts
      • Photograph number 10-13: IRECO Facility
      Container: Box 1, Folder 10
      Location: Melvin A. Cook and Explosives
    • Description: Explosive maps and materials
      • Photograph number 1: Explosion map
      • Photograph number 2: Explosive material
      • Photograph number 3: Unidentified building
      Container: Box 1, Folder 11
      Location: Melvin A. Cook and Explosives

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Explosives industry--Utah--Photographs
  • Explosives, Military--Research--Photographs
  • Blasting--Photographs
  • Chemists--Research--Utah--20th century--Photographs
  • Explosives--Research--Photographs
  • Shaped charges--Photographs

Personal Names

  • Cook, Melvin A. (Melvin Alonzo)--Photographs

Corporate Names

  • University of Utah--Faculty--Photographs

Form or Genre Terms

  • Photographs
  • Portraits


2004 (last modified: 2025)

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