Frank Briggs Mohole Project Papers

Collection

Identifier: MS 0401

Staff Only

Finding aid note: Stored off-site at the Library Service Center. Please request this material via woodson@rice.edu or call 713-348-2586.

Scope and Contents

This collection contains Frank Briggs’ papers about Project Mohole, a cooperative attempt between the U.S. government and the scientific community to drill a hole through the earth’s crust to the Mohorovicic Discontinuity or Moho, the boundary between the Earth's crust and the mantle. The project was touted as equivalent landing on the moon, and the Houston firm Brown and Root was selected as the contractor. Also included in the collection are magazine articles, correspondence, publicity, budgets, and designs and plans of the project. The manuscript about the endeavor, PROJECT MOHOLE: The History and Technology of a Famous Government Project and Briggs’ published book, Tales and Bare-faced Lies about Tigers in the Oil Patch, are also part of the collection.

Dates

Creation: 1962-1966

Creator

Briggs, Frank (Person)

Access Restrictions

This material is open for research. Stored off-site at the Library Service Center. Please request this material via woodson@rice.edu or call 713-348-2586.

Restrictions on Use

There are no restrictions on access; permission to photocopy and publish must be obtained from the Woodson Research Center.

Biographical Note

Frank Briggs, a 1936 graduate of Rice University, was involved in Project Mohole, an attempt to drill through the earth’s outer crust to the Mohorovicic Discontinuity or Moho. He wrote a manuscript about the endeavor, PROJECT MOHOLE: The History and Technology of a Famous Government Project and published another book, Tales and Bare-faced Lies about Tigers in the Oil Patch.

Extent

1.5 Linear Feet ( (3 boxes))

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract:

This collection contains plans for and information about Project Mohole, a cooperative effort between the United States government and the scientific community to drill a hole through the outer crust of the earth to what is called the “Mohorovicic Discontinuity” or Moho, the boundary between the Earth's crust and the mantle. Also included in this collection are magazine and news articles, correspondence, designs, and other information about the project. Also, Frank Brigg’s unpublished manuscript PROJECT MOHOLE: The History and Technology of a Famous Government Project and a first-edition of his book Bare-faced Lies about Tigers in the Oil Patch are part of this collection.