Major Chester L. Fordney, U.S.M: noted stratosphere explorer

              Figure

Major Chester L. Fordney, U.S.M. Noted Stratosphere Explorer



UP ABOVE THE WORLD SO HIGH

Exploring the Stratosphere for Cosmic Rays



REDPATH





Major Chester L. Fordney, U.S.M.



Noted Stratosphere Explorer and Scientific Observer with Lieut.-Commander Settle in His World-Famous Balloon Flight




Major Chester L. Fordney, U. S. M., will share his amazing adventure, 
Up Above the World So High
 with you in his unique first-hand account of his ascent into the stratosphere with Commander Settle and their headlong return to earth.  There are only two men who can tell you how it feels to have a peek at infinity almost 12 miles above the earth, and Major Fordney is one of them.





EXPLORING FOR COSMIC RAYS



The flight of Commander Settle and Major Fordney was made to study the cosmic ray and polarized light, to determine the exact shade of the sky and to test radio waves.  Instruments carried to gather information on the cosmic ray were turned over to Dr. Arthur Compton, professor of physics at the University of Chicago.  Dr. Compton in a recent scientific paper said that the flight resulted in his obtaining considerable additional information about the ray, which approaches the velocity of light and whose penetrating powers are amazing.





COLLIER'S CARRIES STORY



Many will remember the two excellent feature articles written by Major Fordney that appeared in Collier's Weekly the issues of December 29, 1934, and January 5, 1935, titled 
Up Above the World So High,
 giving a vivid and graphic story of their flight to the stratosphere, and their sensational descent.  The articles were profusely illustrated.





AN ADEQUATE MARINE



Major Fordney entered the Marine Corps from the University of Michigan in 1917.  Overseas he served with the Naval Air Forces.  Service in Santo Domingo and Haiti followed the World War.  Major Fordney now is in charge of the training and administration of the Marine Reserves in the Central Reserve Area.





HEADS MATHEMATICAL EXHIBIT AT FAIR



The Navy Unit was given the responsibility of preparing the Mathematical Exhibit in the Hall of Science of A Century of Progress, and Major Fordney was appointed as executive of the section.  The resultant exhibit has been described as the most striking mathematical exhibit ever devised.





BECOMES SETTLE'S SCIENTIFIC OBSERVER



Major Fordney's selection as scientific observer in connection with the stratosphere ascension of Lieut.-Commander T. G. W. Settle perhaps found its incipiency when Commander Settle unexpectedly landed his stratosphere balloon in the Burlington railroad yards in Chicago.  The only thing that saved a heedless crowd from blowing itself and him to bits by igniting the hydrogen in the bag was a strong voiced marine, Major Fordney.  On November 20th, 1933, Major Fordney accompanied Commander Settle as scientific observer on the stratosphere flight, which gained an altitude of 61,237 feet, and was awarded the world's record by 
Federacion Aeronautique Internacionale.




Printed in U. S. A.





About Major Fordney and His Thrilling Talk



Collier's Weekly.


Flying through the air—not always with the greatest of ease—these stratosphere explorers were finally rewarded for their months of preparation by a peek at infinity.  Then the descent to earth, dropping at a speed double that of an express elevator, and an 
eggshell
 landing.  Major Fordney gives a vivid account of his adventure in 
Up Above the World So High.




Northwestern University, Dr. W. V. Evans, Dept. of Chemistry.




The lecture yesterday by Major Fordney on the stratosphere flight was the best lecture we have had on the campus in many a day.  It was clearly and scientifically presented.  I got a great kick out of it myself and some of our students who were able to get in and hear it could not say good enough things about it.




Parks Air News, Parks Air College, East St. Louis, Illinois.


In one of the most inspiring and educational talks ever given at Parks Air College, Major Chester L. Fordney advised students to prepare for exploration of the stratosphere and space itself—
the last frontier.
  The Major is an impressive, though a quiet spoken man.  His talk became dramatic because of the things he said and he related his adventures with a modesty that gave them extra impressiveness.




The Cicerotarian, Chicago Rotary Club.




The Adequate Marine
 came and conquered.  Major Fordney gave us a remarkable presentation.