

Their successful venture launched a series of gifts to the university beginning with their 25th class reunion. This device proved to be a significant contribution to production in over 30,000 oil wells in the U.S. Their first success was the invention of a gun perforator to pierce holes in oil well steel casings and cement liners to increase oil flow. "Prep" Wells in the Lane-Wells Company that took over the old Pacific Oil Tool Company of Los Angeles, specializing and developing technical oil field services. In 1932, this engineer had entered partnership with classmate Walter T. "Bill" Lane who was visiting campus and prepared to present a sizable check to Iowa State. In the spring of 1936, Harold Pride passed on knowledge of this organ and the need for one in Great Hall to Wilfred G. His most famous installation was the 6/51 Chicago Stadium organ of 1929 boasting over 3,000 pipes. Parkway Theatre received less than ten year's use of their new Barton organ before it was placed in storage after the introduction of the "talkies." Dan Barton was one of the top five suppliers of organs to theaters in the silent era, and built 250 theatre organs from about 1918 to 1931. The organ was classed as a “Butterfield Special,” a series of three-manual/eleven-rank, economy organs built mainly for the Butterfield Theater Chain that operated in Michigan. This instrument was organ number 190 built by Dan Barton’s Bartola Musical Instrument Company of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. After a stage fire damaged the original organ, a new Barton theatre organ was installed in 1926.
#Kimball organ sound movie
Research reveals that this was the 1,300-seat Parkway Theatre, which started out as the Fuller Opera House in 1890, and was remodeled in 1921 for use as a legitimate theater and movie house. Griffith, director of WOI radio station, heard in 1935 that an organ was available for purchase from a theater in Madison, Wisconsin. Pride, former director, relates in his history of the Memorial Union, W.I. That organ didn't materialize until eight years later through a gift of two alumni of the class of 1910. When the Great Hall was built, two chambers for a future pipe organ were included in the design, one on each side of the stage.

It was often joked that lingering users of the adjacent men’s room were assisted in their efforts by the palpable vibrations emanating from the low octaves. Overnight patrons of the second-floor guestrooms frequently became unwilling listeners as they attempted to slumber while subject to the low rumblings of the pedal pipes. Being located in the center of the Union, the organ made its presence known to occupants in the Gallery and Pioneer Room as well as adjoining conference rooms. Listeners were assuredly aware of the sound source when the organ was being played. Although the bulky, three-manual console was sometimes viewable onstage, the sound-producing components of the organ, over 1,400 pipes, remained hidden behind two symmetrical, arched grills at the west-end of the hall. The organ’s sonorous tones completely engulfed the hall and reverberated for many seconds in the lively acoustics. Sometimes it was used on-stage with dance bands, other times for noontime concerts, silent films, radio broadcasts, receptions and even memorial and worship services. Students attending Iowa State in the late 1930s through the 1950s have especially fond recollections of hearing this organ played. The pipe organ has shared an important role at many events, beginning in 1936 and continuing for the next 60 years. In fact, the hall now bears the names of Charles and Margre Durham in recognition of his gift.

To commemorate such an instance, successful alum, Charles Durham, donated funds in 2008 for restoring the Great Hall. More than a few couples have met at dances, become engaged and later married. Here, students have participated in an array of social activities: dances, convocations, banquets, concerts, lectures, exhibitions, film showings, orientations, reunions and madrigal dinners. room features vintage carved ceiling beams, stained glass light fixtures, dark oak paneling and durable hard-maple flooring. Since its construction in 1928 and eleven subsequent additions, the Memorial Union has made its Great Hall available as the premier venue for student gatherings on campus. The student union at Iowa State University has held a special place in the memories of three generations of students. OF THE PIPE ORGAN IN GREAT HALL, MEMORIAL UNION
