Operation Everest

Date1947

Viewing NotesOperation Everest is a film documenting Dr. Charles S. Houston’s study of the same name conducted in 1946 for the United States Navy that used a pressure chamber to study the process of humans becoming acclimated to conditions in high altitudes. The film contains title cards and narration throughout. A shot of a map of Florida. A few shots of the U.S. Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida. Footage of men working on various pieces of equipment and instruments, including generators and vacuum pumps. A shot of a laboratory. A shot of a kitchen. Footage of doctors and other men discussing the plans for the test, including Dr. Charles S. Houston. A few shots of the four test volunteers undergoing medical tests. A shot of the volunteers entering the pressure chamber. A group shot of the volunteers. Footage of technicians entering the chamber, conducting tests on the volunteers, exiting the chamber and examining the results using equipment in a lab. Footage of the volunteers being served and eating a meal. Footage of the volunteers talking, relaxing, engaging in hobbies and bathing. A shot of an X-ray machine being moved into the chamber. Footage of the volunteers undergoing medical tests, including pedaling a stationary bike. Footage of men monitoring instruments as the volunteers relax inside the chamber. A shot of the volunteers exiting the chamber. Footage of Dr. Houston talking to other men, intercut with a few shots of the volunteers. Footage of the volunteers in a hospital relaxing and undergoing a few medical tests. Operation Everest is Reel 71 of the Charles S. Houston Collection.