Knowledge Bank

Mr. Rubin was born in 1917 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1934, he enrolled at Pennsylvania State University in the School of Chemistry and Physics. Lack of finances forced him to leave after 3 semesters and to a position as minor observer at the Weather Bureau. He enrolled in night courses at the University of Pennsylvania. He was asked to take a mercurial barometer to Admiral Byrd’s ship. Morton was excited by the various items on board. He finished his college degree at Penn State in 1942. He accepted a position with Pan American Grace Airways, setting up weather stations in Peru, Chile, and Juan Fernandez Island.
Returning to the U. S. in 1948, he accepted a position with MIT doing southern hemisphere analysis. When Morton heard about the International Geophysical Year (IGY) program, he wanted to go to Antarctica. He was in charge of organizing Weather Central. After arriving in Antarctica, he helped to determine the locations of bases. He describes the difficulties in equipping the bases — both for living and for scientific research.
Morton reviews some of his experiences with Russians. The had had extensive work in the polar regions. In addition to being good workers, the cooks prepared a wide variety of Russian dishes (including fresh pork). Morton enjoyed the Russian style baths.
The atmospheric exchange project included heat and mass transport. The Russians had a big party after Sputnik was successful. Morton wrote an article in Russian, summarizing his year with the Russians.
Morton stated that the IGY expanded his scientific horizons. Upon return to the U.S., he was in the Weather Bureau. Later he was elected president of IAMAP for two terms. He worked with the Kosen Geodetic Survey. In early 1970s, he changed from administration to being a scientist with GARP (Global Atmospheric Research Program). Morton became involved with a variety of weather projects until he was in his early 80s.

Major Topics

1. The events that lead to his interest in Antarctica are described.
2. After graduation from college, he took a position with Pan American Grace to set up and run weather stations in South America.
3. At MIT, he prepared Southern hemisphere — wide weather maps.
4. Mr. Rubin was put in charge of organizing the Weather Central for IGY.
5. During his first winter in Antarctica, they used flashlights to send information in the Morse code.
6. The problems of selecting a site for weather central in 1955 are summarized.
7. He made the preparations for Antarctic Weather Central in 1956.
8. The preparations to be in charge of Weather Central and learning Russian are summarized.
9. Morton Rubin flew in a Russian plane to Vostok and describes the flight and food at the base. The methods used by the Russians to survive outside included breathing tubes. The Russians also had a wide variety of food including fresh pork.
10. The methods of obtaining water, heating for communal baths, laundry, and toilets were described.
11. Mr. Rubin calculated the heat and mass balance.
12. His interactions with the Russians during the Cold War are interesting.
13. Spending a winter in Antarctica is described.
14. Mr. Rubin was favorably impressed with the Russian scientists.
15. The Russians gave him a birthday party that included roast turkey and ice cream.
16. The IGY experience was a very stimulating time — both scientific and professionally.
17. After returning from the Antarctica, he was involved with various world organizations related to weather and environment, including being president of the Association of Meteorology and Atmospheric Physics and the Polar Commission.
18. He describes the observational program for the first GARP Global Experiment.