Institute of Industrial Research (IIR)
Institute of Industrial Research Building
"Research is our business," proclaimed a brochure advertising the services of the Institute of Industrial Research (IIR) and this claim was not an idle one. During its thirty-year history, the IRR conducted over one hundred tests, experiments, and developments of new products for local and national industries. The institute was established as a successor to the Division of Industrial Research (DIR), organized at the Speed Scientific School in 1938. The DIR's aim was to contract with industry on projects for the development of research efforts of the engineering profession through utilization of U of L's laboratories. In 1944 the university's board of trustees approved the proposal of Speed School Dean Ford Wilkinson that the university establish a non-profit industrial research corporation affiliated with the school. The mission of this new corporation differed little from the goals of its predecessor, and the IRR announced its intention to conduct scientific and technical research for industrial clients, while promoting educational research activities at the university.
Entranceway to the Institute of Industrial Research
Two years later, plans were begun for a research building to house the new IRR. UofL applied to the War Productions Board for construction permission and borrowed $100,000 from the Louisville Industrial Foundation. The building, located directly behind the J.B. Speed Building, was dedicated in June 1947. The facilities included two pilot plant laboratories, fifteen individual research laboratories, and an instrument laboratory. The staff was made up of faculty from Speed School, graduate research assistants, technicians, and administrative personnel. The IRR provided technical assistance to industry and government along with research opportunities for faculty and graduate students. It also served as a conduit for the faculty to relate their teaching more directly to the profession of engineering.
Invitation to the dedication of the Institute of Industrial Research, 1947
Although the client list grew over the years, the IRR was never able to attract the large scale projects needed to continue economic and research growth. In 1972, the decision was made to close the IRR, with a two-year phase-out period ending June 30, 1974.
-- From Merrick, Margaret T., "Speed library once served as home of industrial research," Inside U of L, November 29, 1987.
