Mellon Institute of Industrial Research facts for kids

Mellon Institute
U.S. Historic district Contributing property
Area	Schenley Farms Historic District
Built	1937
Architect	Benno Janssen
Architectural style	Neoclassical
Part of	Schenley Farms Historic District (ID83002213)
Quick facts for kids Significant dates
Added to NRHP	July 22, 1983

The Mellon Institute of Industrial Research was a special research center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It later joined to become part of Carnegie Mellon University. Two brothers, Andrew Mellon and Richard B. Mellon, started it in 1913. It began as part of the University of Pittsburgh.

In 1937, the Mellon Institute moved into its own new building. This building is on Fifth Avenue in Oakland. Oakland is a university area in Pittsburgh. In 1967, the Mellon Institute merged with the Carnegie Institute of Technology. Together, they formed Carnegie Mellon University. The famous building still stands today. It is a landmark at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Bellefield Avenue. It is near the Carnegie Mellon Software Engineering Institute and the University of Pittsburgh's Bellefield Hall. Across the street are two other famous buildings: the University of Pittsburgh's Heinz Memorial Chapel and the Cathedral of Learning.

The Mellon Institute building was designed by architect Benno Janssen. It has a neo-classical style. This means it looks like ancient Greek or Roman buildings. It has huge limestone columns. These are some of the largest single-piece columns in the world. Andrew Mellon, who was a top government official, wanted the building to look like the Treasury Building in Washington, D.C. The front of the Mellon Institute building looks very similar to the Parthenon in Athens, Greece. The building was finished and dedicated in May 1937. This happened after the Mellon brothers had passed away.

Today, the Mellon Institute building is home to important offices at Carnegie Mellon University. It houses the Dean's Office for the Mellon College of Science. It also has offices and labs for the Department of Biological Sciences and the Department of Chemistry. From 1986 to 2006, it also held the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center.

History of the Mellon Institute

The Mellon Institute of Industrial Research first started as a department at the University of Pittsburgh. It did research for companies. A company would pay the institute to solve a problem. The institute would then hire a scientist to do the research. The company that paid for the research would own the results.

Becoming an Independent Research Center

In 1928, the institute became its own independent research center. It was set up as a nonprofit organization. Plans for a new building began that same year. When the new building was finished in 1937, the institute moved in. The new building was right across from the Cathedral of Learning. The institute gave its old building, now called Allen Hall, back to the University of Pittsburgh. The original plan for the new building called for two more columns. These extra columns were buried in the lawn next to the Cathedral of Learning.

Joining Carnegie Mellon University

By 1967, companies were using independent research centers less often. Because of this, the Mellon Institute merged with the Carnegie Institute of Technology. Together, they formed Carnegie Mellon University. The name "Carnegie Institute of Technology" is still used today. It refers to the engineering part of Carnegie Mellon's College of Engineering and Science.

Recognized for Contributions to Science

In 2013, the American Chemical Society honored the Mellon Institute. They named it a National Historic Chemical Landmark. This was for its important work in industrial research and training. This work happened from 1913 until it merged with Carnegie Institute of Technology. Researchers at the Mellon Institute wrote over 4,700 papers. They also received more than 1,600 patents. Their discoveries included a way to make acetylene from petroleum. This led to the creation of ethylene. They also did research on organosilicones. This research helped start the Dow Corning Corporation.

For many years, the columns of the Mellon Institute building have been a popular spot. People often take wedding photos there.

Mellon Institute in Movies

The Mellon Institute building has appeared in several movies and TV shows.

• In the 2006 TV show Smith, the outside of the Mellon Institute was used. It pretended to be the Tanner Museum.
• The 1990 film Citizen Cohn used the outside of the building. It looked like Washington, D.C., in the 1960s.
• The 1992 film Hoffa filmed scenes at the building. It was used to show Federal Courthouses and other government buildings.
• The 1992 film Lorenzo's Oil shows a scene inside a lecture hall at the Mellon Institute.
• The 2002 film The Mothman Prophecies used the building. It was shown as a fictional institute for paranormal studies in Chicago.
• The 2012 film The Dark Knight Rises filmed scenes there. It was used to represent "Gotham City Hall."