Richard Palmer joined the Ice Capades office in Los Angeles in 1942. He held many supervisory titles throughout his career with the famous ice show. In 1956 he was the electronic engineer; in 1961 he was the studio manager; and by 1967 he was vice-president of the company. He became president and CEO of the Ice Capades in 1980 and remained until 1986 when Metromedia sold the company. Throughout his career he witnessed the development of three companies of the Ice Capades known as East, West, and Continental. Ice Capades East, the original company, formed in 1940. The second company, known as Ice Cycles, stared in 1946 as a joint effort between the producers of the Ice Capades and the Ice Follies, using Follies production numbers and stars from both parent companies. After three seasons, Ice Follies sold their interest to Ice Capades. Subsequently, Ice Cycles became Ice Capades West, and the third company, Ice Capades Continental, was formed in 1974.
From the guide to the Richard Palmer Papers, 98-087; 97-167., 1940-1986, (Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin)
