Dr. Peter Maria Schuster visits the site where Victor F. Hess built the world's first subway laboratory in 1947

June 6, 2008

On June 6, 2008, Dr. Peter Maria Schuster visits the platform of the 190th Street-Overlook Terrace Station of the 'A' Line in upper Manhattan. Here, at one of the lowest points of the New York Subway system, Victor F. Hess had built a laboratory in 1947 to make rock measurements, adequately shielded from cosmic rays. Dr. Peter Maria Schuster, assisted by engineer and historian Joseph Cunningham, tried to persuade the Metropolitan Transportation Authority management to erect a plaque here commemorating the world's first subway laboratory. Despite supportive letters from Ambassador Dr. Eva Nowotny, Ambassador Dr. Brix and Federal Minister Dr. Hahn, the project has not yet been realized.