Preferred Citation
Max A. Montgomery papers, 1928-1945, Department of Drawings & Archives, Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library, Columbia University.
COinS Metadata
available (e.g., for Zotero).
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
| CLIO record: | View CLIO record |
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| Creator(s): | Montgomery, Max A., 1889-1946. |
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| Title: | Max A. Montgomery papers,
1928-1945.
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| Physical description: | 1 linear foot; 2 clamshell boxes; 1 roll.
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| Language(s): | In English
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| 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 call (212) 854-4110 or email avery-drawings@libraries.cul.columbia.edu.
More information » |
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Arrangement
Arrangement
The collection is arranged in two series:
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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.
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Using the Collection
Access Restrictions
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 call (212) 854-4110 or email avery-drawings@libraries.cul.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.
For Further Information
For more information about using the collections and conducting research in the Department of Drawings & Archives, please see our FAQ.
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About the Finding Aid / Processing Information
Columbia University Libraries. Avery Architecture and Fine Arts Library. Department of Drawings and Archives; machine readable finding
aid created by Columbia University Libraries Digital Library Program Division
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Allison Termine (Archives Intern) under the supervision of Shelley Hayreh, Avery Archivist, in 2012.
Machine readable finding aid generated from MARC-AMC source via XSLT conversion March 30, 2012
Finding aid written in English.
CLIO ID: 9363885 View CLIO record
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Index Terms
The names and terms listed below are represented in this collection. Links below allow searches at Columbia University through the Archival Collections Portal and through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, as well as ArchiveGRID, a consortial/union catalog offered by OCLC that allows users to search the holdings of multiple archives and libraries.
All links open new windows.
Subjects
| Heading | CUL Archives:
Portal | CUL Collections:
CLIO | Nat'l / Int'l Archives:
ArchiveGRID |
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History / Biographical Note
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.
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