whitmore pursued the creation of a chair in metallurgy, and worked with the department of geology and mineralogy to establish the mineral industry advisory committee which was chaired by industry representatives. he was dean of the faculty of engineering between 1974-75. he stepped back as head of the department in 1976 to remain professor of mining and metallurgical engineering and pursued the creation of several histories of the exploration of coal in queensland and engineering heritage. he retired in 1985 and was made emeritus professor, a role which led him to pursue historical studies in brisbane and ipswich, including heritage studies of smelters in north queensland, the mount crosby water treatment station and the tower mill at spring hill. he also undertook industrial archaeology studies of coke oven technologies, the rhondda colliery and sawmill in the ipswich region. he had contributed to over 40 historical papers and books during his later career.