Guide to the Charles Passel Papers, 1937-1953, 1971-2004, 2012 SPEC.PA.56.0052 Finding aid prepared by Sierra Sales; Audrey Wimbiscus Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections

1858 Neil Avenue Columbus, OH, 43210

2026 April This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2026-06-03T09:40-0400 English Describing Archives: A Content Standard Charles Passel Papers SPEC.PA.56.0052 Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections 0.89 Cubic feet 1937-1953, 1971-2004, 2012 Charles Passel (1915-2002) was a geologist and polar scientist responsible for developing the wind chill factor parameter. Passel was a member of the United States Antarctic Service who went with Admiral Richard E. Byrd on the United States Antarctic Service Expedition (1939-1941). The Charles Passel Papers, dated 1937-1953, 1971-2004, and 2012, contains notes, correspondence, photograph slides, and black and white photographs from Passel’s time with the United States Antarctic Service Expedition. This collection also contains DVDs and VHS videocassettes recordings of speaking engagements where Passel spoke about his experiences in Antarctica, as well as an oral history interview on audiocassette where he discussed his time on the United States Antarctic Service Expedition. (2) 5" letter document boxes; (2) 2.5" legal file folders; (2) audiocassettes; (1) letter file folder English Passel, Charles F. Arrangement of Materials

The Charles Passel Papers are arranged in three series: Series 1: United States Antarctic Service Expedition Series 2: Speaking Engagement Video Recordings Series 3: Oral History

Acquisitions Information

Accession No. PA.2000.0040: Charles Passel, 2000; Accession No. PA.2012.0001: Jane Peek, 2012 February; Accession No. PA.2013.0003: Goldthwait Polar Library, 2013 March

Preferred Citation

[identification of item], Charles Passel Papers, SPEC.PA.56.0052, Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center Archival Program, Ohio State University

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Contains DVDs, VHS videocassettes, and audiocassettes.

Access to Materials

Materials in this collection are available for use, but may be used in the University Archives reading room only. Audiovisual materials may need a use copy produced before access is allowed. Contact the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center Archival Program at polararchives@osu.edu for more information.

Use of Materials

Materials in this collection may be protected by copyright, and are made available for research and educational purposes. In general, the OSU Libraries do not own the copyright for materials from our collections and cannot grant copyright permissions for these materials. The user is responsible for making a final determination of copyright status. If copyright protection applies, permission must be obtained from the copyright holder to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exceptions to the law. Works in the public domain are not protected by copyright and do not require permission to use.

Processing Information

Processed by: Sierra Sales, and Audrey Wimbiscus, 2026 April; Finding aid written by: Sierra Sales and Audrey Wimbiscus, 2026 April

Biographical Note

Charles Passel (1915-2002) was a geologist and polar scientist responsible for developing the wind chill factor parameter. Passel graduated from Miami University (Ohio) with a bachelor’s degree in geology and a master’s degree from Indiana University Bloomington. Passel was a member of the United States Antarctic Service who went with Admiral Richard E. Byrd on the United States Antarctic Service Expedition (1939-1941). On the expedition, Passel was a dog team driver, and he worked alongside Paul Siple to develop a parameter for wind chill. Passel and Siple published their work in the American Philosophical Society after the expedition ended.

Following his return from the United States Antarctic Service Expedition, Passel joined the United States Marine Corps and served in World War II until he was wounded in action in 1943. Passel’s diary from the United States Antarctic Service Expedition was published as a book called Ice in 1995.

Scope and Contents

The Charles Passel Papers, dated 1937-1953, 1971-2004, and 2012, contains notes, correspondence, photograph slides, and black and white photographs from Passel’s time with the United States Antarctic Service Expedition (1939-1941). Journal articles written by geologists and polar scientists, and a copy of the research paper Passel wrote with Paul Siple, another scientist on United States Antarctic Service Expedition, are also included in this collection. This collection also contains VHS videocassettes recordings of speaking engagements where Passel spoke about his experiences in Antarctica, as well as an oral history interview on audiocassette where he discussed his time on the United States Antarctic Service Expedition. The original VHS videocassettes were created between 1996 and 2004. DVD copies of the VHS videocassettes were created in 2012.

Related Materials SPEC.PA.56.0097 Paul A. Siple Papers SPEC.PA.56.0259 United States Antarctic Service Expedition Collection Passel, Charles F. Siple, Paul, 1908-1968 United States Antarctic Service Expedition (1939-1941) Antarctica--Discovery and exploration--20th century Antarctica--Research--20th century Audiocassettes Black-and-white photographs Correspondence Dogsledding--Antarctica--20th century DVDs Geologists--Antarctica--20th century Geology--Research--Antarctica--20th century Landscape photography--Antarctica--20th century Mushers--Antarctica--20th century Oral histories (literary works) Photocopies Research notes Scientific expeditions--Antarctica--20th century Scientists--Antarctica--20th century Slides (photographs) VHS Wind chill index--Research--Antarctica--20th century United States Antarctic Service Expedition Series 1 1937-1953, 1971, 1980s Scope and Contents

Series 1, the United States Antarctic Service Expedition (USASE), dates from 1937 to 1953, 1971, and the 1980s, and consists of newspaper articles, journal articles, correspondence, and photographs both from and about Passel's time on the USASE, as well as some related articles about geology in Arctic regions. Materials date from both before, during, and after the USASE.

Arrangement of Materials

Series 1 is arranged in chronological order; materials with the same date are further arranged in alphabetical order by title.

"Petrography of Some Rocks from the South Orkney Islands and the Antarctic Archipelago" journal article 1 1 1937 March "Petrologic and Structural Relations of the Edsel Ford Range, Marie Byrd Land, to other Antarctic Mountains" journal article 1 2 1937 October 1 United States Antarctic Service Expedition correspondence, memorandums, and notes 1 3 1939-1941 United States Antarctic Service Expedition notepad 1 4 1939-1941 United States Antarctic Service Expedition photographic slides 1 5-10 1939-1941 Newspaper articles Polar Small Accessions 7 1939-1953 "Notes on some Marie Byrd Land Rocks" journal article 1 11 1941 "Antarctic Regions: A Summary of the Activities of the United States Antarctic Expedition, 1939-1941" report 1 12 1941 July "Responses of a Man To a Hot Environment" report Polar Small Accessions 7 1943 August 1 "Measurements of Dry Atmospheric Cooling in Subfreezing Temperatures" report by Paul Siple and Charles Passel 1 13 1945 April "Indices of Wind Chill of Clothed Persons" journal article 1 14 1971 August (Passel) Charles photograph reproductions 1 15 1980s Speaking Engagement Video Recordings Series 2 1996-2004, 2012 Scope and Contents

Series 2, Speaking Engagement Video Recordings, dates from 1996-2004 and 2012, and consists of video recordings on VHS videocassette of Charles Passel speaking about his time in Antarctica on the United States Service Expedition (1939-1940) to different audiences. The original VHS videocassettes were created between 1996 and 2004. DVD copies of the VHS videocassettes were created in 2012.

Arrangement of Materials

This series is arranged in chronological order; items with the same date are further arranged in alphabetical order by title.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Contains VHS videocassettes and DVDs.

Access to Materials

Charles Passel's talk to Jane Duncan's first grade class at Bonham Elementary School 2 6 2 1 1996, 2012 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Box 2, Disc 6 DVD; color; sound; approximate run time: unknown Box 2, Cassette 1 VHS videocassette; color; sound; approximate run time: unknown The Last Romantic Adventure with Charles Passel 2 3 2 2 circa 2000, 2012 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Box 2, Disc 3 DVD; color; sound; approximate run time: unknown Box 2, Cassette 2 VHS videocassette; color; sound; approximate run time: unknown Charles Passel at Kenley School 2 5 2 3 circa 2000, 2012 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Box 2, Cassette 3 VHS videocassette; color; sound; approximate run time: unknown Box 2, Disc 5 DVD; color; sound; approximate run time: unknown Charles Antarctica Talk 2 1 2 4 2000 March 23, 2012 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Box 2, Disc 1 DVD; color; sound; approximate run time: unknown Box 2, Cassette 4 VHS videocassette; color; sound; approximate run time: unknown McCaleb and Company, Guest: Charles Passel 2 2 2 5 2000 March 23, 2012 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Box 2, Cassette 5 VHS videocassette; color; sound; approximate run time: unknown Box 2, Disc 2 DVD; color; sound; approximate run time: unknown Wind Chill Story 2 7 2 6 2000 March 23, 2012 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Box 2, Cassette 6 VHS videocassette; color; sound; approximate run time: unknown Box 2, Disc 7 DVD; color; sound; approximate run time: unknown Old Timers Tell Old Tales 2 4 2 7 2004 May 20, 2012 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Box 2, Cassette 7 VHS videocassette; color; sound; approximate run time: unknown Box 2, Disc 4 DVD; color; sound; approximate run time: unknown Scope and Contents

This video recording is dated after Charles Passel passed away. The original VHS videocassette was produced on May 20, 2004. The DVD copy of this VHS was produced by The Ohio State University Media Services in 2012. It is not known what year the original video was recorded.

Oral History Series 3 2000 February, 2001 April Scope and Contents

Series 3, Oral History, contains audio recordings and a transcript of an interview of Charles Passel conducted by Raimund Goerler on February 13-14, 2000. This interview was a part of a series of polar oral histories sponsored by the American Polar Society and Ohio State University's Byrd Polar Research Center Archival Program, with funding from the National Science Foundation. Major topics discussed include Passel's time on the United States Antarctic Service Expedition from 1939-1940, his experience procuring supplies for the expedition, development of the "wind chill" formula with Paul Siple, driving a dog team, the leadership attributes of Admiral Richard E. Byrd, and Passel's memories of exploring the continent of Antarctica and the wildlife there.

Arrangement of Materials

Materials in Series 3 are arranged in the order created during the interview process.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Contains audiocassettes.

Access to Materials

Existence and Location of Copies

Also available online.

Interview recording Polar Oral History 6 1 2000 February 13-14 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Box Polar Oral History 6, Cassette 1 Audiocassette; approximate run time: 73 minutes Existence and Location of Copies

Also available online.

Interview recording copy Polar Oral History 9 1 2001 April Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Box Polar Oral History 9, Cassette 1 Audiocassette; approximate run time: 73 minutes Transcript Polar Oral History 2 1 2001 April Existence and Location of Copies

Also available online.