AbstractsEarth & Environmental Science

"Owing to many difficulties reported from the battle fields of France also from many sections of the United States, Mexico, Africa and South America relative to the functioning of the "Caterpillar" track an intensive research was begun early in the spring of 1919 to develop or perfect a material that could be made into intricate forms and which would have such physical properties as would withstand to a maximum degree, the abrasive action of rock and sand while at the same time having a high tensile strength and resistance to shock. A further requisite was that this material must be machineable [sic] in order that close dimensions could be held" – p. 4.