Northwest History. Alaska. Feature Articles.

• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1936
• Subjects: igloos; Seattle; picture books; Eskimos; Noel Wien; Alaska; Los Angeles; Fairbanks; Alaska commercial flying; territory; transportation; Anchorage; Nome; dog team; Northwest; Pacific > History > 20th century; Pacific; eskimo*
• Online Access: http://content.libraries.wsu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/clipping/id/91223

Igloos Are Only Temporary Houses: Veteran Declares Snow Huts Mostly "Picture Book Stuff." IGLOOS ME ONLY TEMPORARY HOUSES. Veteran Declares Snow Huts Mostly 'Picture Book Stuff SEATTLE, Jan. 20 UP)—Picture books and old school geographies to the contrary, few Eskimos live in snow igloos, said Noel Wien, youthful appearing pioneer Alaska air man, here today. Back from a midwestern business trip, Wien plans to attend an air show at Los Angeles this week preparatory to returning to Fairbanks with Mrs. Wien and their three small children. "Some Eskimos build snow houses when they are caught out on the trails, hunting or trapping or travelling, without a tent. But most of they carry tents and most of them live in tents if they haven't wooden huts," he said. "In the winter time, they live in their tents, but build a snow wall around the tent, and about three or four feet away from its walls, as a windbreak and for warmth. "Why don't they build the snow wall against the sides of the tent? Because snow drifts and if the wall were against the tent, the snow would drift on top of the tent and soon bury or collapse it. Building the walls three or four feet away leaves a safety margin for drifting Wien said he is anxious to get back into harness—parachute harness in his case, for he's -been flying in Alaska since 1924. He said Alaska commercial flying has developed swiftly and greatly because the northland is a territory of great distances and few means of transportation. In 1924 and 1925, he was the only regular commercial pilot in all Alaska, he said. "Today, there are 30 or 40 flyers in Fairbanks, Anchorage and Nome, alone. Much of the business, particularly in wintertime air freight—carrying everything from dredge parts and mine machinery to needles, pins and greeting cards. Wien said he made the first Fairbanks to Nome flight. It is a 550-mile journey that used to take three months and cost $760 by dog team. Today you can fly it in five hours for a $100 fare.