Guide to the Louis Fenn Vogt Papers and Photographs 1921-1952
- Repository
- Heinz History Center
- Title
- Louis Fenn Vogt Papers and Photographs
- Creator
- Vogt, Louis Fenn
- Collection Number
- mss861
- Extent
- .5 linear feet (1 box)
- Date
- 1921-1952
- Abstract
- Louis Fenn Vogt served as the works manager of Standard Chemical Company of Pittsburgh in charge of the company's extraction works at Canonsburg, Pa. He was an expert in radioactive materials and the first to work out a process of extracting radium from American ores.The collection includes manuscripts, pamphlets, documents, newspaper clippings, and photographs pertaining to Vogt's work.
- Language
- The material in this collection is in English.
- Sponsor
- This collection has been made accessible as part of an NHPRC-funded Basic Processing grant.
- Publisher
- Heinz History Center
- Address
- 1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org
History
Louis Fenn Vogt was born on January 31, 1881 in Akron, Ohio, to William H. and Metta (Fenn) Vogt. He was a descendant of Robert Treat, an early 17th century American colonial leader and governor of Connecticut. He was married to Lois Johnston Vogt with whom he had three offspring: Louis Fenn Vogt Jr., Richard J. Vogt and Kathleen Vogt Copson. After graduating from Case Applied Science in 1901, Vogt became the works manager of Standard Chemical Company of Pittsburgh in charge of the company's extraction works at Canonsburg, Pa. He was an expert in radioactive materials and was the first to work out a process for extracting radium from Carnotite, an ore found in Colorado. Vogt also pioneered the commercial production of radium in the U.S., holding patents covering its extraction from Carnotite. Throughout his life he gave talks and wrote various articles pertaining to the production, history, and significance of radioactive elements. Through his expertise he became acquainted with Marie Curie, who visited Vogt's Standard Chemical Co. in May of 1921. In addition to his work with Standard Chemical Company, Vogt was the works manager of the American Cyanamid Co. and worked as an industrial consultant associated with the Radium Dial of Pittsburgh and New York, the American Salpa Corp., and the David T. Houston Company. During World War II, Vogt served as chief of production service of the War Production Board in Newark, NJ. Louis Fenn Vogt died of a heart attack, on August 31, 1952, at a hospital in Plainfield, N.J. located near his Westfield, N.J. home.
Scope and Content Notes
The Louis Fenn Vogt Papers and Photographs includes manuscripts, pamphlets, documents, newspaper clippings, photographs, a genealogical report of the Vogt family. The manuscripts and pamphlets are associated with articles written by Vogt and talks given by him in person or via KDKA radio. Most photographs in the collection capture Marie Curie during her visit to the Canonsburg Standard Chemical Company alongside Vogt and company president James C. Gray. Also included is a signed copy of the book Madame Curie written by Eve Curie.
Conditions Governing Access
None.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift from Peter Vogt in 2011.
Archives accession # 2011.0139
Preferred Citation
Louis Fenn Vogt Papers and Photographs, 1921-1952, MSS 861 , Thomas and Katherine Detre Library and Archives, Senator John Heinz History Center
Processing Information
Preliminary processing by Mike Stayton on 10/11/2012.
Conditions Governing Use
Property rights reside with the Senator John Heinz History Center. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the Thomas and Katherine Detre Library and Archives of the Senator John Heinz History Center.
Subjects
- Standard Chemical Company
- Curie, Marie, 1867-1934.
- Gray, James C.
- Canonsburg, (Pa.)
- Radium
- Radium industry--Pennsylvania.