Leonard Marsh’s ‘Arctic Suit’

Former Section 16, the Environmental Design and Testing Group of Component Developments, was JPL’s go-to team for discovering vulnerabilities in electronic and mechanical equipment developed by the Lab. The team handled vibration testing, shock testing, and equipment assessments in high and low temperature and humidity. This photo, taken 6 June 1955, depicts one of those skilled testers and the individual responsible for maintaining the Environmental Test Laboratory (ETL), Leonard Marsh, “model[ing] protective clothing which must be worn in the low temperature and humidity chamber [in the ETL, Building 82].” For this particular test, the chamber was 40 degrees below zero, with noticeable frost on both the floor and ceiling. CL#21-5881

The content presented here should be viewed in the context of the time period. Our intent is to present the history of JPL in a factual manner that uses primary resources and historical context. We recognize that some information or images do not reflect the current values, policies, and mission of JPL.