This discussion draws on over 25 pages of original records and hand-drawn sketches documenting by-products equipment at the Interlake Chicago Coke Plant between 1952 and 1957. The materials include teletype requests and pink carbon memos, field reports from Wilputte Coke Oven Division, correspondence with Roots-Connersville Blower Corporation, and detailed operational data tables. Together, these documents […]
This discussion draws on more than 20 pages of original records documenting the flushing liquor systems at the Interlake Chicago Coke Plant. Sources include detailed inspection reports and repair drawings from ENSPECT, Inc., original Wilputte blueprints, internal correspondence and sketches outlining control system upgrades, capital expenditure authorizations for new pump installations, and an engineering proposal […]
These stock certificates once stood for something much larger than paper. They were proof of ownership in Acme Steel and its parent, Interlake Iron—companies whose mills, batteries, and byproduct plants shaped thousands of lives along the Calumet River. I’ve collected these documents over time, through digital archeology. They survived long after the shares themselves were […]
This folder contains 31 pages of memos, reports, and technical notes about the Light Benzol Absorber (LBA) system spanning from 1932 through 1964. Together, these documents trace more than three decades of experimentation, troubleshooting, and incremental improvements in the recovery of benzol and other light oils from coke oven gas. They offer a rare window […]
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Dexion Steel
Before there was 80/20 extruded aluminum, slotted angle iron was the ‘Erector Set’ for adults, for society. Only God knows how many structures, or parts thereof, were constructed using some form of angle iron. It’s rigidity and strength, combined with flexibility of use due to the array of holes drilled in it, make mounting and […]
The content of this post was provided by friend Jack K. of South Bend Indiana. He scanned this article from part of his massive library of AIST/AISE yearbooks. He has many duplicates which he has offered me and I hope to acquire those soon. Thanks Jack! ACME Steel might be called the company that grew […]
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Acme Credit Union
The Acme credit union – still in operation today – predates the 1964 Acme/Interlake merger. Even though no business has functioned under the name ‘Acme’ on Perry Ave for decades, the name remains for (today) employees of Cleveland Cliffs. Time to time a few relics pop up on eBay or elsewhere – I have archived […]
I have written on this topic before, it is often cited as one of the contributing factors to the downfall of the company. A gamble that just didn’t pay off in the end (though ironically, the caster still functions today). Steve Bennett’s speech ‘selling’ the idea to investors is an impassioned plea from a man […]
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Safety Awards
Recently I have learned of the joy of census records. As of 2024, 1940 and 1950 are currently available to the public for free. In 2030, 1970 will become available as well. Records prior to 1940 are also available, but you’d have to pay. But this is fine, because 1940/1950 are a sweet spot for […]