Mark, nice find.  I have seen one.  As recently as the 1960s, a professor of mine used one.  mcneely

---- "Mark L. Hineline" <hineline@OCOTILLOFIELD.NET> wrote:
> One of many precursors to the Westy cabinets. I would not be surprised
> if everything that a field geologist did with this desk and the things
> that were in it can now be done on an iPad.
>
> http://gallery.usgs.gov/photos/07_22_2009_kOf6JVu22C_07_22_2009_3
>
> Mark 1982 Westy

--
David McNeely