Max A. Montgomery papers, 1928-1945

Max A. Montgomery papers, 1928-1945

Summary Information

Abstract

Max A. Montgomery drafted designs for low income housing units during the 1930s and 1940s. He also drafted structural inventions as well as other common inventions. The collection is consists of sketches, design drawings, paper models, research materials, notes, and personal photographs.

At a Glance

Bib ID:
9363885 View CLIO record
Creator(s):
Montgomery, Max A., 1889-1946
Repository:
Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library
Physical Description:
1 document box; 2 boxes (clam-shell); 1 rolls
Language(s):
English .
Access:

This collection is available for use by appointment in the Department of Drawings & Archives, Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library, Columbia University. For further information and to make an appointment, please email avery-drawings@library.columbia.edu.

Description

Scope and Content

Series I: Projects and Studies is made up of sketches, design drawings, paper models, research materials, and notes. Montgomery's more developed project in Series I is his Prefabricated Home Project, which was his solution to the housing problem toward the end of WWII and after. As the population rose the need for housing was in demand. Montgomery's low cost housing unit designs were built with inexpensive material and long term sustainability in consideration to the housing solution. Prefabricated or Homes for the Masses (1930-1944) as Montgomery titled it, include multiple styles, pencil on trace and paper drawings with design elements of kitchens, bathrooms, and wall sections. His projects have no record of being built aside from the multiple paper models included in this collection. Included in Series I is his finances and research documents, particularly on philosopher Samuel Butler, who was a major inspiration for the theory behind Montgomery's housing solution. He designed various inventions and each was certified in an enveloped self addressed to prove its patient authorization. His invention of The Mayne Metal Plank Floor System a Cellular trussed structure (1930 -1932) appears to have been built as a prototype, evidence based on a photograph demonstrating the amount of weight it held with little distortion. The miscellaneous inventions are separated into two groupings, those that are structural inventions such as the Montgomery brick, window seal and window transom. The Miscellaneous Inventions folder includes the "auto life saver," which enabled cars to ride on their flat tires without destroying the rim. Other inventions included are a portable greasing station that could double as a barbecue, a store or a portable building of any use. The invention of a galosh fastener on the back side of the shoe instead of the front side gives the allure that Montgomery was a prolific man who wanted to take advantage of being an entrepreneur in an age when industry was booming.

Series II: Personal Photographs are speculated to be Max A. Montgomery and his family, and include 20 black and white photographs.

Publication Date

1928-1945

Arrangement

This collection is made up of two series: Series I: Personal Photographs and Series II: Projects and Studies.

Using the Collection

Restrictions on Access

This collection is available for use by appointment in the Department of Drawings & Archives, Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library, Columbia University. For further information and to make an appointment, please email avery-drawings@library.columbia.edu.

Restrictions on Use

Columbia University is providing access to the materials in the Library's collections solely for noncommercial educational and research purposes. The unauthorized use, including, but not limited to, publication of the materials without the prior written permission of Columbia University is strictly prohibited. All inquiries regarding permission to publish should be submitted in writing to the Director, Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library, Columbia University. For additional guidance, see Columbia University Libraries' publication policy.

In addition to permission from Columbia University, permission of the copyright owner (if not Columbia University) and/or any holder of other rights (such as publicity and/or privacy rights) may also be required for reproduction, publication, distributions, and other uses. Responsibility for making an independent legal assessment of any item and securing any necessary permissions rests with the persons desiring to publish the item. Columbia University makes no warranties as to the accuracy of the materials or their fitness for a particular purpose.

Preferred Citation

Max A. Montgomery papers, 1928-1945, Department of Drawings & Archives, Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library, Columbia University.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Source of acquisition--Mrs. Max A. Montgomery. Method of acquisition--Donated;; Date of acquisition--1947. Accession number--1947.004.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Allison Termine (Archives Intern) under the supervision of Shelley Hayreh, Avery Archivist, in 2012.

Revision Description

2012-03-30 File created.

2019-05-20 EAD was imported spring 2019 as part of the ArchivesSpace Phase II migration.

History

Max A. Montgomery (1889-1946) lived and worked in Hudson, Ohio as architect. Montgomery was educated at the University of Illinois and served in World War I. Montgomery primarily designed residential houses, however, he also worked on structural designs and inventions to enhance objects that have already been created.

Subject Headings

The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches for other collections at Columbia University, through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, and through ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.

All links open new windows.

Name
Montgomery, Max A., 1889-1946
Subject
Architecture, Domestic -- United States
Buildings, Prefabricated
Industrial design
Inventions
Modular construction
Prefabricated houses

Series I: Projects and Studies


Box 01 Folder 02 to 03

Prefabrication house project, Small house drawings, 1928-1941

55 items : pencil on trace and paper


Roll 01

Prefabrication house project, Small house drawings, ca. 1930-1940s

7 rolled drawings pencil on trace


Box 01 Folder 04

Prefabrication house project, Small house drawings, ca. 1930-1940s

20 items : pencil on bristol


Box 01 Folder 05

Prefabrication house project, Design Elements, 1944

Includes pencil on trace and paper of kitchen, bathroom, interior and exterior trim, window dimensions, insulated tile furring and deck, and wall sections


Box 01 Folder 06

Prefabrication house project, Research Material and Notes, 1933 , 1935

Includes documents about prefabrication proposal to University of Illinois (1936), prefabrication finances, theory articles relating to "old" architecture verses "new" architecture, "Massheen" or the philosophy of the moderns inspired from Samuel Butler (1835-1902), housing analysis "the housing problem for the masses", and 2 newspaper articles relating to the real estate market


Box 01 Folder 07 to 08

Prefabrication house project, Models, undated

(2 folders)


Box 01 Folder 09

Cellular Trussed Structure, 1930 , 1932

Includes blueprint of the Mayne Plank Floor System (Max A. Montgomery inventor; U.S Patent no. 1874572), pencil on trace drawings, ink on trace and 3 duplicate photographs of the floor system


Box 01 Folder 10

Inventions and Structural Designs, 1930-1941

The Montgomery Brick (1930), detail of a wall section, transom window, window seal, gypsy hotel, new way to hang glass sheets, ventilation system


Box 01 Folder 11

Inventions, Miscellaneous, 1932 , 1936

Includes invention of an "auto life saver", a metallic clip for pencils, building blocks for children, portable greasing station/barbecue/store/or portable building for any use, galosh fastener, electric lighting fixture in the shape of a flower and an electric motor/pump and meter


Clamshell 3 items

Presentation binders, 1934 -1945

3 binders in separate boxes. Include pencil on trace and bristle board, photographs, finances, vagabondking mobile home, furniture designs, restaurant/gas/hotel designs, and drawings of insects and animals

Series II: Personal Photographs


Box 01 Folder 01

Photographs of family and friends, ca. 1930-1940s

20 items