On January 22, 1948, Boston mayor Mayor James Curley wrote this letter to MIT President Karl Compton asking for "a competent group of engineers [to] make an immediate study as to ways and means of removing the huge accumulation [...] be it by the use of flame throwers or chemicals or otherwise." Quite the modest request for such a metal means of snow removal.
[MIT — hat tip to Jim!]
DISCUSSION
as long as they have it properly installed....